Melissa McCarthy stars in Richard Curtis' new Christmas film

Melissa McCarthy will star in a new Christmas film to be written by Richard Curtis.

The film is a fairytale comedy about a workaholic New Yorker who enlists the help of a magical genie to win back his family before Christmas.

The film will be produced for Peacock and Working Title partners Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner will produce along with Riva Marker of Linden Productions.

The film is directed by Sam Boyd, who previously wrote and produced the romantic comedy Love Life, starring Anna Kendrick, for HBO Max and wrote and directed In a Relationship, the film starring Emma Roberts, Michael Angarano and Dree Hemingway.

Melissa has just completed production on Jerry Seinfeld's “Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story” with Hugh Grant and Amy Schumer and is set to play the villain Ursula in the live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid.”

The 52-year-old actress played the role of Megan Price in the comedy Bridesmaids, but director Paul Feig revealed that she was only cast in the role at the last minute after a long period of auditions.

The filmmaker said, “We didn't see Melissa until very late. Every funny woman in town auditioned for the role, but we couldn't crack her. Melissa came in and played the role completely differently than the rest.”

“We literally high-fived and celebrated when she came out.”

Curtis has written successful films such as Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Bridget Jones's Diary. He also directed Love Actually, which is set at Christmas.