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Filmmaker Nina Lee Reports Studios Delaying Decisions on Her Film Pending Box Office Performance of "You, Me & Tuscany"

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Filmmaker’s Report Sparks Discussion on Industry Decision-Making and Diverse Films

On March 25, 2026, filmmaker Nina Lee stated on social media that multiple studios had delayed decisions on purchasing her completed romantic comedy, "That's Her," and a separate romance script. According to Lee, executives cited a desire to see the box office performance of the recently released Black-led romantic comedy "You, Me & Tuscany" before proceeding. The situation has sparked discussion about industry decision-making and the market for diverse films, with several industry figures and researchers providing context.

The Reported Situation

  • On March 25, 2026, filmmaker Nina Lee posted on X about her experience meeting with studios regarding her film "That's Her."
  • Lee reported that during multiple meetings in the fall of 2025, executives from five different studios declined to purchase her film or a separate romance script.
  • According to Lee, the consistent feedback was that studios were not currently purchasing romantic comedies and wanted to monitor the performance of several Black-led romantic comedies scheduled for release in 2026 before making decisions.
  • Lee inferred the executives were specifically referencing the performance of "You, Me & Tuscany."
  • Lee's social media post about the situation received over half a million views and was shared by other accounts.

Details of the Films

"That's Her" (Nina Lee)

  • Completed production in September 2025.
  • Stars Coco Jones and Kountry Wayne.
  • The film follows a corporate playboy who falls for an office temp.
  • It has been selected for the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), where it is scheduled to make its world premiere next month.

"You, Me & Tuscany" (Universal Pictures)

  • A Black-led romantic comedy produced by Will Packer.
  • Stars Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page.
  • Released in theaters in March 2026.
  • The film had a reported production budget of $18 million and was projected to earn over $10 million at the box office.

Statements from Involved Parties

Nina Lee stated the situation "is bringing light to an issue that affects not just Black female directors or Black directors, [but] all minorities."

Will Packer, producer of "You, Me & Tuscany," commented on the industry's economic drivers, stating, "If the dollars make sense, then you’ll see more of it and Hollywood will change and adjust." He added that Hollywood "will react to the audiences more so than audiences realize" and noted that theatrical romantic comedies are often viewed as risky since the growth of streaming services.

Halle Bailey, star of "You, Me & Tuscany," said in an interview, "I feel like it almost isn’t fair for us to have to [hear], ‘Oh, well, we’re gonna watch how this one does. And then we’ll green light you.’"

Industry Data and Researcher Perspectives

Researchers provided data and analysis on audience trends and industry practices:

Dr. Ana-Christina Ramón, co-author of the UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report, stated that Hollywood is "ignoring its own data" which shows audiences support diverse films when they are aware of them. She suggested the industry may underestimate the purchasing power of women and audiences of color.

Dr. Stacy L. Smith, founder of USC's Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, identified three factors she associates with box office success: a great story, production and marketing support, and wide theatrical release. She noted these are determinations made by executives.

According to the 2025 UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report, within the top 20 theatrical films of the previous year, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) audiences constituted the largest share for 16 of those films. A more detailed breakdown indicated BIPOC men were the largest audience share for ten films, and BIPOC women for six films.

Data from Dr. Smith's initiative indicated that in 2025, women of color portrayed 15% of leading roles in films, while representing about 20% of the U.S. population.

Historical Precedent

Lee reported receiving an account from an Asian filmmaker who said they received similar feedback from studios about waiting to see the box office performance of the 2018 film "Crazy Rich Asians" before making decisions on other projects.

Current Status

  • "You, Me & Tuscany" is in theaters, with its box office performance being monitored.
  • Nina Lee's film "That's Her" is set to premiere at the American Black Film Festival next month. Lee has expressed hope that the festival screening will attract distributor attention.