Elizabeth Banks to Star in "The Miniature Wife"

[MollySmalls]

Latest news: Director of the first two episodes announced. More confirmation that this is really happening.

https://collider.com/greg-mottola-direc ... ture-wife/

Read that his previous work was Superbad (Jonah Hill) and Paul (Seth Rogan). He has a very interesting, raunchy sense of humor, really looking forward to this one. The potential here is the highest it's ever been for shrunken woman mainstream content.

[MollySmalls]

Information on the IMDB site has been updated - This is an image from Mike Innanen who will be running the series special effects. This gives an insight to how tiny they plan to make Elizabeth Banks. Can't wait!

[DocRick]

[Kooplan]

That's too perfect. Can't wait to see this in action because I REALLY hope that this is what the show is really going to look like!

[DocRick]

[MollySmalls]

She makes such a good SW

[MollySmalls]

So...I've inputted all of the updated IMDB information (including recently updated production crew + writers) into ChatGPT and asked it to predict as accurately as possible possible storylines + plots and dialog based on writer's previous works and this is what it came up with.

**Episode 2: "Small Steps, Big Leaps"

Opening Scene:

INT. APARTMENT BEDROOM – EARLY MORNING

CLAIRE is perched on a makeup vanity, sitting cross-legged on an overturned powder compact. She’s using a mascara wand as a barbell, grunting as she lifts it above her head. A close-up shot captures her determination, sweat beading on her tiny forehead. DAVID peers in through the door, holding a coffee mug that looks comically oversized in the foreground of the shot.

DAVID: (chuckling) Morning workout?

CLAIRE drops the mascara wand, glaring at him.

CLAIRE: (sarcastically) Gotta stay fit in case the circus calls.

David carefully sets the coffee mug down on the vanity, his hand trembling slightly as he does so.

DAVID: (guilty) I… I think I found someone who can help us.

Introduction of New Character:

INT. UNIVERSITY LAB – MIDDAY

The camera introduces DR. LILA MENDEZ, a brilliant but eccentric bioengineer (played by AUBREY PLAZA). Lila’s lab is a chaotic blend of cutting-edge technology and personal quirks: a 3D printer hums in the background while a shelf overflows with novelty coffee mugs. Lila is bent over a microscope, muttering to herself.

LILA: (muttering) Come on, you little nano-jerks… work with me here.

David clears his throat awkwardly. Lila spins around, her eyes lighting up when she sees CLAIRE perched on his palm.

LILA: (grinning) Well, isn’t this a tiny miracle?

CLAIRE rolls her eyes.

CLAIRE: (deadpan) Hilarious.

Lila eagerly grabs a magnifying glass and inspects CLAIRE, who shifts uncomfortably under her gaze.

LILA: (awed) You’re like the Mona Lisa of microbiology. Absolutely perfect.

CLAIRE: (snapping) Can you maybe focus on un-shrinking me?



Episode 3: "The Big Reveal"

Opening Scene:

INT. APARTMENT LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

The camera fades in on the glowing chamber in the dimly lit apartment. The hum grows louder, the pulsating light casting eerie shadows across the room. CLAIRE stands on the coffee table, her tiny figure illuminated in stark blue. Her expression is a mix of fascination and dread.

CLAIRE: (whispering to herself) This can’t be good.

Suddenly, the chamber emits a high-pitched whine and then goes silent. The glow fades. LILA and DAVID, startled awake by the sound, leap to their feet.

DAVID: (panicked) What happened?!

LILA: (groggily) Relax. It’s just a power surge… probably.

CLAIRE glares at them from the coffee table.

CLAIRE: (sarcastically) Glad to see you two were so alert while I’m one spark away from becoming a science fair project.

LILA approaches the chamber, poking at it with a screwdriver.

LILA: (muttering) Could be a nanite feedback loop… or maybe the quantum stabilizer’s out of sync.

DAVID: (worried) Is it dangerous?

LILA: (cheerfully) Oh, absolutely.

CLAIRE groans, pacing back and forth on the table. (Her bare feet slap softly against the wooden surface, the sound surprisingly loud in the tense silence.)

Introduction of a New Character:

INT. LUXURY CONDO LOBBY – DAY

Enter JULIA REYNOLDS (played by JENNIFER COOLIDGE), a nosy and flamboyant neighbor with a penchant for wine and gossip. JULIA is clad in a bright silk robe, sunglasses perched atop her head, and an air of dramatic curiosity. She barges into the apartment unannounced, carrying a casserole dish.

JULIA: (calling out) Yoo-hoo! I heard someone needed a little neighborly love… and lasagna.

DAVID nearly spills his coffee as JULIA waltzes in. LILA freezes mid-experiment, a test tube precariously balanced in her hand.

JULIA: (eyeing the lab equipment) Ooh, are we making meth? How Breaking Bad of you.

CLAIRE, hiding behind a mug on the counter, peeks out cautiously. (Her tiny head pokes over the rim, her expression a mix of curiosity and horror.)

DAVID: (awkwardly) Julia! Now’s not really a good time…

JULIA: (ignoring him) Oh, nonsense. I just had to come by and check on you two. You’ve been so quiet lately—not that I’m complaining, but it’s… suspicious.

JULIA spots CLAIRE’s tiny silhouette and gasps, nearly dropping the casserole.

JULIA: (dramatically) Is that a… Barbie? No, wait. It’s… CLAIRE?!

CLAIRE steps out from behind the mug, crossing her arms.

CLAIRE: (dryly) Surprise.

Mid-Episode Conflict:

INT. APARTMENT – LATER

JULIA is surprisingly unfazed by CLAIRE’s predicament, treating her like an exotic pet. She insists on taking selfies with CLAIRE, holding her up like a trophy. (Claire’s tiny arms flail as Julia holds her between two fingers.)

JULIA: (beaming) #TinyQueen. This is going viral.

CLAIRE, furious, wriggles free and lands on the counter with a tiny thud.

CLAIRE: (yelling) I am not a toy, Julia!

LILA intervenes, snatching Julia’s phone.

LILA: (firmly) No photos. This is classified. You didn’t see anything.

Julia pouts but relents, turning her attention to the glowing chamber.

JULIA: (curiously) So, what’s the plan? Zap her back to normal? Or… is she staying fun-sized forever?

DAVID looks torn, glancing at CLAIRE, who’s now seated on the counter, arms wrapped around her knees.

DAVID: (softly) We’re working on it.

CLAIRE’s face softens, but the tension between them is palpable.


This is ChatGPT's prediction of how the story will unfold - I've ran several tests and they all have a female antagonist (in this version it's the nosy neighbor who treats Claire like a toy)

[PickUpArtist]

Yeah this looks promising, given the size ratio. It seems perfect for a proper handheld. She's not so big, not so small. Hopefully we'll get some good interaction.

[Prof Sai]

It's doooooomed! No one will watch it because it is mean.

:: Cries ::

[vash!!!]

It's doooooomed! No one will watch it because it is mean.

:: Cries ::

Are you alright? Do you need a safe space?

[scidram]

It's doooooomed! No one will watch it because it is mean.

:: Cries ::

Yeah, the source material may be kinda mean, and maybe people won't watch it or appreciate it, but we'll be able to watch it. The show is getting made, and I can't wait for it! With Elizabeth Banks in the role, the titular miniature wife will be featured much more than in the short story, and that will be great.

[Prof Sai]

Are you alright? Do you need a safe space?

I dunno what I need. But I don't have much faith in Hollywood these days.

[Sdk]

I'm cautiously optimistic. Anything featuring a shrunken Elizabeth Banks is worth at least checking out.

[scidram]

Got a casting update! https://deadline.com/2025/01/zoe-lister ... 236266833/

The original short story only has two characters, so I'm wondering who they'll be playing, particularly Sofia Rosinsky, as she's 18 years old. Could she be playing a daughter character? That would pose an interesting dynamic.

Also, as far as I know, shooting starts Monday. It's really happening!

[Hand-Holder]

https://tvline.com/news/elizabeth-banks ... 235192397/

Guys......GUYS....THIS IS IT!!!

Although it seams like a family friendly movie, being His wife, there must be some teasing moments, hand holds for sure, YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

[scidram]

Although it seams like a family friendly movie, being His wife, there must be some teasing moments, hand holds for sure, YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

The short story that this upcoming TV series is based on is most certainly not family friendly.

[DocRick]

On what network is this going to be broadcast?

[Prof Sai]

It says Peacock. So unless you want to buy a whole service for a month, no one will see it.

[ensmallen]

Adding a child is a big change. And where's the other male character, the one the wife supposedly cheated on the (unreliable) narrator with?

[scidram]

Adding a child is a big change. And where's the other male character, the one the wife supposedly cheated on the (unreliable) narrator with?

Not saying she'd be their child--was just hypothesizing based on the age of the actress--but yeah, that's a big change.

If the other male character is in the series, which I assume there'll be other male characters--the actor might not be announced yet or might not be as big a deal. To the industry, anyway, as I hadn't heard of this actress.

[scidram]

More casting news.

https://deadline.com/2025/01/o-t-fagben ... 236274421/

[ensmallen]

Who wants to be on the show? They're doing a casting call but you have to be a Toronto local.

https://allcasting.com/castingcall/280513

Not show-related but Elizabeth Banks posted from Toronto with Matthew. Looking good!

https://www.instagram.com/elizabethbank ... mg_index=1

[rscholar]

3 new cast members announced

https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/peaco ... r-AA1ApnPj

...seriously, what the hell is this thing even going to be? I get they're most likely world-building by making character relationships and maybe fleshing out the company that does the shrinking tech so more than a few will probably be the scientists working there, but this was (outside the one brief SM) a closed 2-person focused short story and now they're stuffing the roster.

The way I picture it, the show could start with the shrinking incident and then jump back and forth between present day and flashbacks showing the wife and husband's gradual falling out. My long shot hope is the shrinking incident isn't instant and the series revolves around a slow shrink where some of the supposed humor could come from Banks being half-size.

I actually had a dream the other night that Banks dropped a surprise interview and finally admits that it's about her shrinking and then they cut to some rough footage of her being tiny. I can't remember if this was only a 6 or so month shooting schedule, but scanning for any crumbs of info is becoming maddening.

[scidram]

3 new cast members announced

https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/peaco ... r-AA1ApnPj

...seriously, what the hell is this thing even going to be? I get they're most likely world-building by making character relationships and maybe fleshing out the company that does the shrinking tech so more than a few will probably be the scientists working there, but this was (outside the one brief SM) a closed 2-person focused short story and now they're stuffing the roster.

The way I picture it, the show could start with the shrinking incident and then jump back and forth between present day and flashbacks showing the wife and husband's gradual falling out. My long shot hope is the shrinking incident isn't instant and the series revolves around a slow shrink where some of the supposed humor could come from Banks being half-size.

I actually had a dream the other night that Banks dropped a surprise interview and finally admits that it's about her shrinking and then they cut to some rough footage of her being tiny. I can't remember if this was only a 6 or so month shooting schedule, but scanning for any crumbs of info is becoming maddening.

The original source material is a 20-page short story. To adapt that to a limited series of, let's assume, 6-10 episodes requires adding a lot of material. Yes, we'll likely see flashbacks to before the incident. Yes, we'll likely see more people at the shrinking company. I would also venture a guess that we'll see her friends or family wondering where she's disappeared to.

I wouldn't get hopes up for a slow shrink. At any size above half-size, she could likely escape the house and get help, which she wouldn't be able to do easily at the size of a coffee mug (as described in the story). I could be wrong--and believe me, I'd like to be wrong and your long-shot hope be right--but that requires a lot more effect work (both CGI & practical) than having her one static size.

Like you, I've been scanning for crumbs as well, and there's not much more than casting news, but this is a double-edge sword for me. Yeah, I'd love to see some production photos of Elizabeth Banks with oversized props, but I also want to watch the show without knowing to experience it fresh. Although, as soon as there's a trailer, of course we're all going to watch it!

And yes, it's about a six-month shoot. I'm pretty sure I read in a previous press release that it was scheduled for January to July. Then there'll be post-production. Depending on how much they did practically with oversized props, forced perspective, or rear projections vs. how much CGI they have to do, I wouldn't expect a release until early 2026. Argh, all this waiting!

And to think, it's been almost a year since it was first announced. We've made it this far; we can make it!

[ensmallen]

Aasif Mandvi's FB page from last month, look at the set behind them. Is that the actual set or something they draw over later with CGI?

https://web.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1162283111927811