{
  "id": 2440153,
  "title": "Michael Showalter to offer \"rebuttal\" to '00s rom-com Serendipity",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/michael-showalter-to-offer-rebuttal-to-00s-rom-com-serendipity",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-21T20:48:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The A.V. Club",
    "slug": "the-a-v-club",
    "url": "https://www.avclub.com/michael-showalter-serendipity-rebuttal"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Michael Showalter, a seasoned filmmaker, is set to tackle the rom-com genre again with a new project that is being positioned as a \"rebuttal\" to the 2001 hit Serendipity. Showalter, known for his work on films like The Baxter and Big Sick, will direct and produce a film under the same title, Serendipity. The new movie, however, will not be a straightforward remake but rather a fresh take on the theme of reconnection between two love interests.\n\nShowalter's approach will involve creating new characters and a new storyline, deviating from the original plot where John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale's characters share a magical meet-cute that leads to a missed connection. The new Serendipity will explore different dynamics of love and relationships, according to Showalter. He describes the project as a \"rebuttal\" rather than a remake or reboot, emphasizing the original's tagline about destiny and humor.\n\nThe original Serendipity, a massive hit in 2001, captured audiences with its romantic tagline: \"When love feels like magic, it's called 'destiny.' When destiny has a sense of humor, it's called 'Serendipity.'\" It remains to be seen if Showalter can match the charm and success of the original, but fans of rom-coms are eagerly anticipating his take on the genre.",
  "summary": "Showalter has signed on to make a new version of the John Cusack-Kate Beckinsale movie, but don't call it a remake.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}