Cannes: 'Veep's' Matt Walsh to Star in Rom-Com 'Under the Eiffel Tower' (Exclusive)

The Emmy-nominated actor will play opposite French actress and Cesar Award nominee Judith Godreche.

Quel romantisme!

Veep star Matt Walsh has snagged his first starring role in a film, a romantic comedy for The Orchard titled Under the Eiffel Tower.

The Emmy-nominated actor will play opposite French actress and Cesar Award nominee Judith Godreche (L’auberge espagnole) in the Archie Borders-helmed film.

Described as being in the vein of Sideways, the film centers on a bourbon salesman closing in on 50 (Walsh) who proposes to and is rejected by his best friend’s 24-year-old daughter under the Eiffel Tower. The soul-crushing event sparks a wine-fueled midlife-crisis jaunt across the French countryside, a surprising friendship with a local soccer player (Ryan Eggold) and romantic possibilities with a beautiful and independent French woman (Godreche).

Written by Borders and David Henry, the film co-stars Ary Abittan (Qu’est-ce qu'on a fait au bon Dieu), David Wain (Wet Hot American Summer), Gary Cole (Talladega Nights) and Michaela Watkins (Casual).

The Orchard acquired worldwide rights to the project in a deal that was closed in Cannes and will introduce it to foreign buyers.

Godreche is producing alongside Michael Fitzer, Stacey Parks and Erin Roark. Executive producers are Paul Davidson, Danielle DiGiacomo and Brad Navin.

The film will begin production in France in July, with The Orchard targeting a 2018 release for the film.

"Under the Eiffel Tower represents the perfect combination of France, wine and a stellar ensemble cast," said The Orchard's Paul Davidson.

The Orchard's recent films include the Oscar-nominated documentaries Cartel Land and Life, Animated, as well as Taika Waititi’s Hunt for the Wilderpeople and the Rebecca Hall starrer Christine. The company is currently in theaters with Oren Moverman’s The Dinner.

Paradigm repped the Under the Eiffel Tower filmmakers, while DiGiacomo negotiated on behalf of The Orchard. Walsh is repped by Principato-Young and UTA.