Rebecca Hall and Dan Stevens starring in rom-com Permission

Rebecca Hall (Vicky Cristina Barcelona, The Guest) and Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey) are starring in Permission, a romantic comedy about a couple who decide to sleep with other people for the sake of their relationship. Written and directed by Brian Crano, the film also stars Gina Gershon, Francois Arnaud, Morgan Spector, and Bridget Everett. Production is currently underway in New York City.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon star Zhang Ziyi will headline East/West, a cross-cultural comedy being developed by Universal Pictures. TV veteran Jason Winer (Life in Pieces, Modern Family) is attached to direct the project, working from a script by Ethan Sandler and Adrian Wenner. Plot details have yet to be revealed. [Deadline]

Jon Bass is joining Dwayne Johnson, Zac Efron, and Alexandra Daddario in Paramount’s big-screen adaptation of Baywatch, the schlocky ’90s TV series about a crew of photogenic lifeguards protecting the beaches of Southern California. Bass will play an awkward disco enthusiast in the movie being directed by Seth Gordon (Horrible Bosses). Shooting is expected to start in the coming months. [Variety]

Thomas Man (Me and Earl and the Dying Girl) is taking up residence in Our House, a remake of the 2010 indie thriller Ghost From the Machine. Anthony Scott Burns will make his feature directing debut on the movie, about a young genius trying to connect with his deceased parents. Nathan Parker (Moon) wrote the script. [Deadline]