Heather of the Valley: Zooey Deschanel and Michelle Buteau team up for Sheri Elwood’s indie comedy

Sheri Elwood's upcoming film, an indie-comedy, is titled Heather of the Valley, and it will pair 500 Days of Summer actress Zooey Deschanel and stand-up comedian Michelle Buteau on screen, according to a report by Deadline. Kate Spurgeon is writing the screenplay, while Elevation Pictures (Alice, Darling) and Who's On First (The Exchange) are producing the film.

As of yet, only these names are confirmed to be appearing in the film, but we shall hear more about the cast and project as time progresses.

Although Beateau is mostly known for doing stand-up comedy, she has appeared in a range of films as well. Her projects include Isn't It Romantic (2019), Almost Love (2019), Someone Great (2019), Always Be My Maybe (2019), Babes (2024), Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip (2025), and more.

Her co-star in Heather of the Valley, Zooey Deschanel, is best known for her portrayal of Summer Finn in 500 Days of Summer, acting opposite Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Her other projects include The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005), The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007), Our Idiot Brother (2011), Harold and the Purple Crayon (2024), and more.

What is Heather of the Valley about?

Zooey Deschanel (right) will be one of the film's leads (Image via Getty)

As per Deadline, Heather of the Valley will see these actresses playing former high school classmates, where Buteau will star as a burned-out suburban mom with a pinch of sarcasm, accompanied by Deschanel as, albeit awkward, an unabated source of optimism. They aren't exactly best friends, but share an obsession with a TV show called Scotlander.

Exactly on theme, the film will see both characters travel back in time to 18th-century Scotland, with scheming aristocrats, Britney Spears choreo-routines, sword fights, and sassy indignities of the past!

What did the Heather of the Valley creators say about the film?

According to Deadline, the director of Heather of the Valley, Sheri Elwood, states,

"I fell in love with Kate’s script instantly. It’s witty, audacious, a fresh, unflinching reminder that female friendships will always save the day. Michelle and Zooey are the perfect duo to bring this cinematic joyride to life—they’re both original, fearless comedians with huge hearts and a willingness to be funny on horseback. Celtic kush, time travel, hot men in kilts. Buckle up, bitches!"

Kate Spurgeon, the writer, calls it a story,

"for anyone who’s lost themselves in motherhood" and "about finding yourself again, in the most unexpected (and uncomfortable) places with a little help from your friends."

Elwood has written and directed three films, including The Swimming Lesson (1997), Eb & Flo (1998), and Deeply (2020). However, she is more active in the television scene and is attached to projects like Call Me Fitz (2010–2014), Lucifer (2016–2017), Whiskey Cavalier (2019), and more.

Spurgeon has also worked on Call Me Fitz. Her other projects include American Dad (2024), The Last O.G. (2020), and more.