Bette Midler and Bailee Madison Join Billy Crystal in US & THEM

Bette Midler and Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark star Bailee Madison have signed on to join Billy Crystal in the family comedy Us & Them. The project, which has been in development for quite some time, re-teams Crystal (who hasn’t toplined a film in over ten years) with his City Slickers writers Lowell Gantz and Babaloo Mandel. The story revolves around a Fresno AAA baseball broadcaster who is tasked with caring for his three grandchildren alongside his wife (with whom he’s going through a separation). The flick will explore the generational gap between the parenting styles of grandparents and their children.

Variety reports that Midler will play Crystal’s estranged wife, while 11-year-old Madison will take on the role of one of their grandchildren. Andy Fickman (You Again) is directing the co-production between 20^th Century Fox and Walden Media. Production is set to get underway later this month in Atlanta.