Meg Ryan in line to star in ‘Precious’ producer’s directorial debut

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Meg Ryan is in advanced negotiations to star in the indie drama ‘Long Time Gone,’ which ‘Precious’ producer Sarah Siegel-Magness will direct, according to the film’s producers.

The movie centers on a broken family that finds itself healed when the girlfriend of the youngest son moves in. Screenwriter Karen McCullah (‘Legally Blonde,’ ‘The Ugly Truth’) adapted the script from the novel ‘Angel, Angel’ by author April Stevens.

Ryan has spent the last few years in the indie film world, starring in ‘Serious Moonlight,’ the Cheryl Hines-directed film that was slain filmmaker Adrienne Shelley’s (‘Waitress’) last screenplay, and Diane English’s ‘The Women.’ She is currently prepping her directorial debut on the ensemble drama ‘Little Black Train.’

Siegel-Magness has prided herself on switching directions frequently. Her producing debut was on the 2009 indie drama ‘Precious’ starring Gabourey Sidibe, which was nominated for six Oscars and walked away with two. She then adapted the popular children’s book series ‘Judy Moody’ into a film that will bow on June 10. ‘Long Time Gone’ marks another shift for Siegel-Magness who will direct the project and whose company, Smokewood Entertainment, will finance. Other producers include her husband, Gary Magness; Bobbi Sue Luther; and McCullah.

Production is scheduled to begin this fall in Los Angeles.

-- Nicole Sperling