Netflix Buys Comedy Spec 'Wingmom' in Preemptive High-Six-Figure Deal
Netflix has bought "Wingmom," an edgy R-rated comedy spec script by Sam Laybourne, in a preemptive deal worth in the high six figures, according to Deadline. A preemptive buy means the studio acquired the script before it could be shopped to other bidders — a signal that Netflix wanted this one locked down fast.
Jeff Robinov and Tabitha Shick of Talking Pictures are producing. The script is described as a strong vehicle for an actress, with at least one already circling the project, though no name has been confirmed publicly.
The story follows a devoted single mother who discovers her 25-year-old son is considering giving up on real-world romance. Her solution: teach him how to get a girl. Deadline reports the tone sits in the vein of early Apatow comedies like "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" and "Knocked Up" — character-driven, raunchy, and built around a comic premise with a real emotional spine.
For Laybourne, "Wingmom" is his second recent feature sale. His spec "The Wedding Exorcist" previously landed at Amazon, with Jake Kasdan attached to produce. The writer has been building momentum across both film and television. He is currently a co-executive producer on the CBS sitcoms "Ghosts" and "DMV," and was previously showrunner and executive producer on "Acapulco" for Lionsgate and Apple TV+.
Laybourne's track record runs deep in network comedy. He was a co-executive producer on "Black-ish" and began his career as a staff writer on "Arrested Development." His pilot "The Hug Machine" has Akiva Schaffer directing for CBS, with Party Over Here producing. He also supervised the pilot "Remix" for Fox with Mnelik Belilgne, the series "Only In America" for CBS with Picturestart, and sold the pitch "Elder Millennial" to NBC with Iliza Shlesinger starring and Tom Werner producing. He is represented by UTA and Kaplan/Perrone.
What makes "Wingmom" stand out is the combination of a star-driven comedy vehicle landing at a streamer that has been investing heavily in broad, talent-led films. Netflix has shown a steady appetite for R-rated comedy specs, and a preemptive buy at this price level suggests the platform sees a clear path to a marquee name signing on. No production timeline has been announced.
