Film & TV

Director of ‘Miss Congeniality’ To Shoot Film in Philippines

Known for rom-com classics such as Miss Congeniality and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Petrie is bringing his signature charm to a fresh love story set in the Philippines

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film director Daniel petrie
Film director Daniel Petrie is known for films like Miss CongenialityMystic Pizza, and How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days. Photo from Jesse Grant/Canadian Film Center

Film director Donald Petrie, known for his work on classic romantic-comedies such as Miss Congeniality, Mystic Pizza, and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, is set to direct a rom-com set in the Philippines, titled The Last Resort. Petrie’s other notable directorial works include Richie Rich, The Kominski Method, and the Emmy-nominated series L.A. Law, among others.

The film centers around a hotel executive, who is tasked with scouting a new resort location in the Philippines. In pure rom-com fashion, she falls for Ben, a handsome expatriate charter pilot, while also becoming engrossed in the local scenery and culture. 

Asia Pacific Films (APF) has announced that it is producing and financing the film, and that screenwriter Karen McCullah is attached to the project. McCullah, who was born in the Philippines, is best known for writing major rom-coms such as 10 Things I Hate About You, Legally Blonde, and The House Bunny.

The group executive producing the film includes APF chairman and Philippine business tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan, Rosario producer Ernesto “Bong” Sta. Maria Jr., and The Wrath of Becky producer RJ Collins. Casting for both Filipino and foreign talents began in 2024, and the film is set to begin production in 2025.

Details about cast and film locations are yet to be disclosed, with Sheila Jaffe selected as casting director. Jaffe has worked on TV shows such as The Entourage and The Sopranos, as well as films like The Italian Job, Sinister, and Ted

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