JK Simmons will star in the ensemble comedic drama that Nadine de Barros and her sales team are introducing to AFM buyers this week.

Kurt Voelker wrote the screenplay and is scheduled to commence shooting in spring in Los Angeles.

Simmons – who won the best supporting actor Oscar this year for Whiplash – plays a widower whose relationship with his teenage son is tested when they relocate to the big city.

Fortitude co-founders Nadine de Barros, Robert Ogden Barnum and Daniel Wagner made the announcement on Wednesday. The Gersh Agency represents North American rights. 

Matthew Baer and George Parra produce and Jennifer Kelly serves as executive producer.

“In the same way Ordinary People impacted a wide range of audiences, The Bachelors will achieve an emotional resonance and mass appeal,” said Baer. “JK is sure to deliver an amazing performance along with the other fantastic actors we’ll soon announce.”

“JK Simmons blew audiences away with his intense, knock-out performance in Whiplash,” said de Barros. “He fully commits to every character he portrays and The Bachelors offers once again the unparalleled actor the chance to display his acting chops in this beautifully written story about a father and son relationship.”