July 22--Ike Barinholtz, best known for playing the endearingly thick-headed nurse Morgan Tookers on "The Mindy Project," is teaming up with "Parks and Recreation" alum Amy Poehler on a new film called "Balls" for Universal.
Barinholtz and his "Mindy Project" writing partner, David Stassen, are writing the script, which stars Poehler as a "once-promising basketball coach who is asked to lead an NBA team under the gaze of a reluctant organization," per The Hollywood Reporter. Barinholtz will appear in the movie as well.
This is the second time the two have worked together. Barinholtz plays Poehler's love interest in the upcoming comedy "Sisters" (which also stars Tina Fey), slated for release in December.
Both Barinholtz and Poehler are alums of the Chicago comedy scene (iO Theater, in particular), and Barinholtz and Stassen were classmates at the Latin School of Chicago before moving to Los Angeles together.
Their writing partnership includes the action-comedy "Central Intelligence," starring Kevin Hart and Dwayne Johnson, which is currently filming in Boston.
As for "The Mindy Project," after Fox declined to renew the sitcom at the end of the most recent season, it was picked up for a fourth season by the streaming site Hulu.
Poehler's latest movie is in theaters now; she voices the role of Joy in Pixar's "Inside Out."
nmetz@tribpub.com
