The project, which was recently acquired by Searchlight Pictures, delves into a coming-of-age narrative set against the backdrop of 1970s Los Angeles. At its heart is 13-year-old Elle, played by Indiana Elle, who considers the Playboy Mansion a second home. The story unfolds as Elle forms an unexpected friendship with Anna, portrayed by Lily-Rose Depp, one of seven hopefuls vying for the coveted title of Playmate of the Month. Together, the two navigate their intertwined desires, with Elle seeking a boy and Anna aspiring for a magazine cover.
Biel's character is described as a composite, not directly modeled after any of Hugh Hefner's real-life wives. She joins Bill Pullman, who was previously announced to play the legendary Playboy founder, offering a compelling dynamic to the film's exploration of the Mansion's unique social ecosystem.
'Playmates' marks the feature directorial debut for Lorraine Nicholson, who also penned the original screenplay, drawing directly from her personal experiences growing up within the Mansion's walls. This personal connection promises an authentic and nuanced portrayal of a fascinating, often misunderstood, era and environment.
Producing the film are Alex Orlovsky and Duncan Montgomery of High Frequency Entertainment, alongside Lily-Rose Depp. Searchlight Pictures' VP of Production Richard Ruiz and CE Cornelia Burleigh are overseeing the project for the studio, working under Heads of Production and Development DanTram Nguyen and Katie Goodson-Thomas, as reported by Deadline.
Jessica Biel has maintained a strong presence in Hollywood, recently serving as an executive producer and star in Prime Video's limited series 'The Better Sister', opposite Elizabeth Banks. Her acclaimed performance in USA Network's 'The Sinner' earned her Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. Fans can also look forward to seeing her alongside John Cena in 'Matchbox: The Movie', an Apple, Skydance, and Mattel collaboration set to stream on Apple TV+.