'Big Sick' Director Michael Showalter to Helm Octavia Spencer-Jessica Chastain Comedy

From left to right: Courtesy of Sechel PR; Theo Wargo, Mike Marsland, both Getty Images

The untitled holiday comedy was last in the headlines when Spencer revealed that Chastain helped her make five times her asking salary.

Hot off The Big Sick's awards-season run, director Michael Showalter is gearing up to helm an upcoming holiday comedy starring Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer.

The director, who also recently helmed Hello, My Name Is Doris, is attached to direct the Universal comedy, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed Thursday. The film is based on a pitch from Chastain's production shingle, Freckle Films. The story follows two women who fight the elements to make it home in time for Christmas and is based on a treatment by Chastain and Kelly Carmichael and a script penned by Peter Chiarelli.

Chastain will produce via Freckle Films and her company Maven Pictures; Carmichael, Celine Rattray and Trudie Styler will also produce.

Universal executive vp production Erik Baiers and creative executive Mika Pryce will be overseeing the project at the studio.

The untitled comedy was last in the headlines in January, when Spencer told the audience at a Hollywood Foreign Press Association panel that she and Chastain planned to negotiate their pay on the film together and make the same amount. Spencer said she ended up receiving five times her asking salary.

Showalter is repped by UTA, Principato-Young Entertainment and Stone, Genow, Smelkinson, Binder & Christopher, LLP.