Emmanuelle Chriqui and Hayes MacArthur have been set to star in A Love Like This, an indie romantic drama directed by John Asher based on an original screenplay by Jeffrey W. Ruggles. The project was recently granted a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement allowing it to move forward.

The film, in production in Malibu, is billed as a romantic tale of two lovers who rent a beach house for the weekend, but there is more to their relationship than it seems.

Asher’s previous films include A Boy Called Po, Somebody Marry Me and Diamonds, as well as on the TV series One Tree Hill.

A Love Like This is produced by Jordan Bogdonavage, Michael Manasseri, Sergey Shtern, Brett Gursky and Lee Levin. Lisa Alfelt, Carl Radke and Sarah Santos are serving as executive producers. Jack DeCerchio is serving as associate producer. Chriqui and MacArthur are also producers on the film.

Of the project, Bogdonavage said, “It’s taken nearly a decade to make this film happen, so for all involved, it’s truly been a labor of love.”

Gursky added, “From the moment I first read Jeffrey’s script, which Jordan gave to me, I knew we had to get this very special movie made. I also knew John Asher was the director who could bring the vision to life. I sent it to him on a Saturday and by Sunday morning he said yes. Then I gave it to Emmanuelle, truly the perfect choice to play Leah, and she immediately wanted to be a part of it too. Then John gave it to Hayes to play Paul, and a dream team was assembled.”

Regarding the project’s ability to move forward amidst the SAG-AFTRA strike, Chriqui and MacArthur said in a joint statement, “We are incredibly grateful to SAG for continuing to support independent films like ours and for allowing us the chance to make this movie under the guidelines of an interim agreement.”

Chriqui is known for her roles as Sloan McQuewick on all seven seasons of HBO’s Entourage and as Lana Lang on the CW’s Superman & Lois. Her film roles include You Don’t Mess With the Zohan, Cadillac Records and Super Troopers 2. MacArthur’s credits include TBS comedy series Angie Tribeca and Netflix’s Merry Happy Whatever. He’s next up on the upcoming Dear Santa starring Jack Black and directed by Bobby Farrelly.

Chriqui is repped by Paradigm and Entertainment 360, and MacArthur by Innovative Artists and attorney Todd Rubenstein. Asher is repped by Jason Bellitto at Citizen Skull Management.

Source: Deadline Hollywood