Michael Sheen and Eva Longoria are teaming up for household vacation comedy “The 12 Days of Christmas.”

The movie — from Keal Productions and Fulwell Leisure — is being directed by BAFTA nominee Ben Gregor (“The Magic Faraway Tree,” “Black Ops”) and written by Ted Safran, based mostly on the bestselling novel “The 12 Topsy-Turvy Very Messy Days of Christmas,” co-written by bestselling creator James Patterson and Safran.

Protagonist Photos are launching gross sales in Cannes.

In “The 12 Days of Christmas,” it’s mid-December and for the fifth yr in a row, Christmas is cancelled on the dysfunctional Sullivan household residence. That’s till a mysterious somebody begins sending unusual presents to hopeless widower Henry (Sheen) and his two bickering youngsters, Will and Ella. First, a partridge in a pear tree, the following day two turtle doves are despatched, adopted by three calling birds on day three. Earlier than they comprehend it, the home is full of boisterous animals and home friends, all relating to the well-known Christmas track “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” The household’s lives are turned the wrong way up as they fight to determine simply who the thriller present giver is, and to prime it off, Mariana (Longoria) from Animal Safety Providers is on their case. Because the synopsis learn, “Regardless that this Christmas will probably be messy, it’d prove to be simply the present the household wants.”

“I had an absolute blast writing The 12 Topsy-Turvy Very Messy Days of Christmas with Tad Safran,” stated Patterson. “We couldn’t be extra enthusiastic about Michael Sheen and Eva Longoria main the solid. The identical goes for the Ben Gregor.”

“Tad’s written a shifting, humorous, big-hearted script that I can’t wait to shoot with the beneficiant and sensible abilities of Michael and Eva,” added Gregor. “Tad and James Patterson’s e book is a heat and chaotic trip by means of Christmas and this considerate, spectacular adaptation goes to be a delight to make and watch.”

“The 12 Days of Christmas” is produced by Heather Greenwood (“After The Screaming Stops”) for Keal Productions, and Leo Pearlman (“Cinderella”) for Fulwell Leisure. Govt producers are James Patterson and Peter Safran (“Aquaman”), Invoice Robinson and Patrick Santa for James Patterson Leisure, together with Dave Bishop, George Hamilton and James Pugh for Protagonist Photos. Sky developed the challenge.

“That is pure vacation pleasure — coronary heart, humor, and simply sufficient havoc to remind us that the magic of Christmas is in the mess,” stated Protagonist CEO Bishop. “We’re thrilled to carry James Patterson’s and Tad Safran’s great e book to the display and with Ben’s gifted route, Michael’s comedic heat and Eva’s sharp appeal — it’s the excellent group to carry this Christmas chaos to life.”

Added Greenwood and Pearlman in a joint assertion: “Fulwell Leisure and Keal Productions satisfaction themselves on working with the perfect expertise and IP to create unmissable and entertaining movie and TV content material for audiences in all places! It’s thrilling to carry James Patterson’s and Tad Safran’s best-selling novel to life for the large display. We are able to’t wait to want audiences a really messy Christmas with all of the magic, chaos and laughter that this well-loved story brings.”

Behind-the-camera expertise contains award-winning choreographer Adam Murray (“Rocketman,” “Cruella, “The King’s Man”), with casting by Kelly Valentine Hendry (“Bridgerton,” “Fleabag,” “Rivals”).

Sheen is repped by CAA, LINK Leisure, Roxane Vacca Administration in the U.Okay., and Schreck Rose Dapello Adams Berlin & Dunham; Longoria is repped by WME, Linden Leisure, and Yorn, Levine, Barnes, Krintzman, Rubenstein, Kohner, Endlich, Goodell & Gellman. Patterson is repped by CAA, Bob Barnett at Williams & Connolly, and Peter Grossman at Lichter Grossman Nichols Feldman Rogal Shikora & Clark, Gregor is repped by WME in the U.S., and Curtis Brown Group in the U.Okay.