From SNL Breakout to Big Screen: Ashley Padilla Joins Emma Stone and Chris Pine in ‘The Catch’

The cinematic landscape is about to get a dose of fresh comedic energy. Ashley Padilla, the virtuosic talent who recently took Saturday Night Live by storm, is officially making her major studio feature debut. Padilla has joined the star-studded cast of The Catch, a highly anticipated romantic comedy from Universal Pictures, starring alongside heavyweights Emma Stone and Chris Pine.

A Winning Formula: ‘Bull Durham’ Meets ‘Notting Hill’

While the studio is keeping many secrets close to the chest, insiders describe The Catch as a blend of sports intensity and romantic charm—essentially “Bull Durham meets Notting Hill.”

The plot centers around a fascinating premise: Emma Stone portrays the most hated woman in the world of baseball. Adding a layer of familial dynamic to the story, Ashley Padilla will play Stone’s sister, providing a supporting role that is expected to showcase the comedic timing that made her a sensation on television.

The Powerhouse Team Behind the Scenes

The film is being helmed by Dave McCary, a former SNL segment director and husband of Emma Stone. This project marks a significant collaboration between several high-profile production entities:

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• Fruit Tree: The banner run by Stone and McCary, operating under a first-look deal with Universal.
• 21 Laps: The production company led by Shawn Levy and Dan Levine, fresh off the massive success of Backrooms.
• Writing Team: The final script was polished by Jen Statsky and Travis Helwig, based on an original spec script by Patrick Kang and Michael Levin.

Who is Ashley Padilla? The New Face of Comedy

For those who might be new to her work, Ashley Padilla is far from a stranger to the craft of comedy. A member of the prestigious LA comedy group The Groundlings and a former assistant to the legendary Diane Keaton, Padilla joined SNL during its milestone 50th season in 2024.

She quickly earned critical acclaim, with The New York Times praising her “virtuosic deployment of the pregnant pause” and her unique “actorly nuance.” Her transition to a major studio film like The Catch is a testament to her rapid ascent in the entertainment industry.

Save the Date

Fans won’t have to wait forever, but they will need a bit of patience. Universal has officially set the release date for The Catch for May 21, 2027. With a combination of A-list stars, a quirky premise, and a breakout comedic talent in Ashley Padilla, this is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated rom-coms of the decade.