Meg Ryan’s New Rom-Com, ‘What Happens Later,’ Was Inspired by Nora Ephron

There’s something oddly comforting about snuggling up on the couch with a blanket to watch Meg Ryan in one of her many beloved rom-coms. While we typically opt for When Harry Met Sally or You’ve Got Mail, there’s an all-new project coming our way to add to our viewing queue.

Ryan just announced that she’s returning to the big screen in an upcoming romantic comedy, titled What Happens Later. Not only does the 61-year-old actress star in the film, but she also co-wrote and directed it. (Like a true powerhouse.)

What Happens Later centers around a woman named Willa (Ryan), who gets stuck at an airport overnight due to snowy weather. To make matters worse, she’s forced to wait out the storm with her long-lost ex (David Duchovny). It doesn’t take long for them to question whether their reunion is coincidental or fate.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Ryan revealed that the feel-good story line was inspired by Nora Ephron, who wrote When Harry Met Sally and You’ve Got Mail (along with Sleepless in Seattle, Bewitched and Julie & Julia).

“Sometimes there’s a question of: Will they be together? Will they not be together?” Ryan said. “For that reason, [What Happens Later] sort of evolves the rom-com genre just a little bit. It’s also about old people, and it’s still romantic and sexy.”