The dream team we didn’t know we needed is finally here. Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page are officially our leading duo in Italianna, a new feature in the works at Universal Pictures. It’s the kind of casting that makes you sit up a little straighter – two stars with serious screen presence and (hopefully) even better chemistry. We don’t know much yet, but with names like these attached, we’re already hooked. Everything we know so far about Italianna below...
Who is in the cast?
Bailey, fresh off her breakout role as Ariel in The Little Mermaid, will be starring as the film's leading lady (you might know her originally as one half of Grammy-nominated duo Chloe x Halle, the genre-blurring sisters championed by Beyoncé herself).
Starring opposite her is Regé-Jean Page, best known for his role as the smouldering Duke of Hastings in Bridgerton's first season. His magnetic screen presence caused such a stir that fans famously created an Instagram account devoted to his spoon. Though he stepped away from the Shondaland hit after its debut, Page’s star has only continued to rise.
Who else is involved?
At the helm is Emmy-winning director Kat Coiro, best known for her 2022 rom-com Marry Me, starring Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson. The film marked a successful collaboration with Universal – and clearly, the chemistry stuck. Italianna marks their next major project together, promising another swoon-worthy cinematic moment.
What is it about?
Plot details are still under wraps, with Universal keeping the storyline closely guarded. What we do know is that the script comes from Ryan Engle, based on a concept developed with Kristin Engle. The film will be produced by Will Packer and Johanna Byer under the Will Packer Productions banner, as part of the company’s ongoing first-look deal with the studio.
While there’s no official word yet on the character dynamics, fans are already speculating – especially with Bailey and Page sharing the screen.
