Although Alexander Payne had turned a few heads with his debut feature, Citizen Ruth, it was the Oscar-nominated screenplay for his second film Election that really put him on the map. That was way back in 1999, and the star of that film was Reese Witherspoon in the unforgettable role of chronic overachiever Tracy Flick. They haven't worked together since, but wasn't for lack of trying. Witherspoon was to be a part of Payne's sci-fi comedy Downsizing until he gave up on it about seven years ago. But now that the project is back on Witherspoon is returning, too.
Witherspoon is joining Matt Damon who came aboard to star in a couple of months ago. Payne and Jim Taylor co-wrote the Downsizing script, with the social satire set in a future when people are being shrunk down to prevent the rapid depletion of natural resources, Damon plays a husband who volunteers with his wife to be shrunk, thinking they'll have a better life.
It's unclear what role Witherspoon will take but presumably it would be the same one she would have played before. Meryl Streep, Paul Giamatti, and Sacha Baron Cohen were to be a part of the earlier attempt but as of now it looks like Witherspoon is the only one coming back. [Deadline]
