First Look Featurette for ‘Ella McCay’ Movie Made by James L. Brooks

by Alex Billington
November 21, 2025
Source: YouTube

“It’s fundamentally a story about family and how to survive them.” 20th Century debuted a fun featurette for Ella McCay, a new half political / half family comedy arriving to watch in theaters in December. It’s an inside look at making this new film. The first one directed by James L. Brooks since he made How Do You Know way back in 2010 (which we covered back then!). Hopefully still funny and charming. In Ella McCay, Emma Mackey stars as an idealistic young woman who juggles her family and work life. A comedy about the people you love and how to survive them. She will be taking over the job of her mentor, the state’s longtime incumbent governor, and now starting a whole new life (in politics). The full ensemble cast features Emma Mackey as the titular Ella McCay, along with Jamie Lee Curtis, Jack Lowden, Kumail Nanjiani, Ayo Edebiri, Spike Fearn, Rebecca Hall, Julie Kavner, Joey Brooks, Becky Ann Baker, with Albert Brooks and Woody Harrelson. Just a few behind-the-scenes glimpses in this quick promo video, mostly with the cast discussing about how great it was to work with Brooks. And how great he is at crafting comedy.

Here’s the “First Look” promo featurette for James L. Brooks’ political comedy Ella McCay, on YouTube:

You can rewatch the full official trailer for James L Brooks’ Ella McCay movie right here or the teaser here.

An idealistic young politician (starring Emma Mackey) juggles familial issues and a challenging work life while preparing to take over the job of her mentor, the state’s longtime incumbent governor. Ella McCay is both written and directed by iconic American comedian / producer / writer / filmmaker James L. Brooks, director of the hit movies Terms of Endearment, Broadcast News, I’ll Do Anything, As Good as It Gets, Spanglish, and How Do You Know, and a writer on many others (including “The Simpsons”). Produced by James L. Brooks, Richard Sakai, Julie Ansell, Jennifer Simchowitz. This hasn’t premiered at any festivals or elsewhere, as far as we know. 20th Century Studios debuts James L. Brooks’ Ella McCay movie in theaters nationwide starting December 12th, 2025 right at the end of this year. So who wants to watch this film?

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