“The Big Bang Theory” lead Jim Parsons is in talks to star as Buzzfeed editor Matt Stopera in the Warner Bros. movie “Brother Orange.”
The pic is a co-production between Warner and Buzzfeed Films, and covers the aftermath of Stopera’s iPhone being stolen at a New York bar in 2014. It follows Stopera as he tracks down the mysterious man, who’s selfies (taken with orange trees) begin appearing mysteriously on his iCloud feed, all the way to China. The story of the search for “Brother Orange” went viral, turning Stopera and “Brother Orange” into overnight celebrities who struck an accidental friendship.
Stopera’s story received more than 20 million views within 24 hours and was eventually shared internationally more than 100 million times.
Parsons will also produce with Todd Spiewak through the duo’s That’s Wonderful Productions banner, joining producers Michael Shamberg and Matthew Henick, head of development at BuzzFeed Motion Pictures.
Parsons will appear next in the Fox 2000 drama “Hidden Figures” opening in theaters on Christmas Day. It was also recently announced that CBS is developing a “Big Bang Theory” prequel spinoff series based on his character Sheldon’s high school years. Parsons is an exec producer on the hit CBS show.
He is repped by CAA and Principal Entertainment LA.
