The studio has hired Kirk Jones of Nanny McPhee and Waking Ned Devine fame to direct the ensemble rom-com based on Heidi Murkoff’s bestselling maternity manual.

The studio acquired worldwide film rights from a pitch by Heather Hach, who wrote the first draft. Shauna Cross wrote the final draft.

Lionsgate’s president of motion picture production and development Alli Shearmur and her svp Jim Miller will oversee the process for the studio.

Mike Medavoy, Arnie Messer and David Thwaites are producing through Phoenix Pictures and Heidi and Erik Murkoff will serve as executive produce alongside their literary manager Alan Nevins of Renaissance Literary & Talent.

Lionsgate’s evp business and legal affairs Robert Melnik negotiated the deal with CAA on behalf of their client Jones alongside his attorneys Jenne Casarotto and Jodi Shields of Casarotto, Ramsay & Associates.