Two of comedy’s most marketable faces, teaming up for a little Internet humor, have now found a host. Director Seth Gordon (Horrible Bosses, The King of Kong) has signed on to direct a Universal comedy called Identity Theft starring Arrested Development‘s Jason Bateman and Bridesmaids breakout actress Melissa McCarthy. The casting was announced a few months back but the title has now changed, along with the addition of a director.
In the film, written by Steve Conrad (The Pursuit of Happyness), Bateman will play a normal guy whose identity is stolen by McCarthy. Originally, McCarthy’s part was written for a man but after Bateman, who is also a producer, saw Bridesmaids, he asked for a rewrite by Craig Mazin (The Hangover Part II). Read more after the jump.
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Posted on Wednesday, January 4th, 2012 by Angie Han
The best-laid plans of Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, and Jason Sudeikis went horribly awry the last time they tried to get revenge on their superiors, but the trio could be gearing up to try again. Horrible Bosses 2 is now officially in the works as screenwriters John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein sign on to pen the sequel. Helmer Seth Gordon in early talks to return as well, and the three stars are expected to reprise their roles.
Although Horrible Bosses didn’t get as much attention, positive or negative, as comedy blockbusters Bridesmaids and The Hangover Part II did last summer, it was a surprise hit that grossed $209 million worldwide on a budget of just $35 million. No wonder Warner Bros. is looking to recreate that magic. More after the jump.
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Posted on Saturday, October 8th, 2011 by Angie Han
Tim Roth and Cillian Murphy have boarded Rufus Norris‘ Broken, along with Rory Kinnear, Robert Emms, Zana Marjanovic, Bill Milner, and newcomer Eloise Laurence. The story, which was adapted by Mark O’Rowe (Boy A) from Daniel Clay‘s novel of the same title, follows a young girl whose life changes after she witnesses a brutal attack. Broken will be the first feature film by helmer Norris, an accomplished theater director.
Roth recently came off of three seasons as the lead of Fox’s Lie to Me, and will star in next year’s Arbitrage. Murphy will appear in this month’s sci-fi thriller In Time, and has several projects lined up for 2012 including the thriller Red Lights with Robert De Niro and Sigourney Weaver. [The Hollywood Reporter]
After the jump, Hope Davis joins Murderball director Henry Alex Rubin’s ensemble drama, and Rutger Hauer boards a miniseries.
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Posted on Sunday, October 2nd, 2011 by Angie Han
Update: EW has confirmed that Showtime and Netflix are in talks with producers about airing the miniseries.
Keep holding out hope, Arrested Development fans. Five years after the series finale, creator Mitchell Hurwitz is still insisting that, yes, a movie based on the brilliant-but-cancelled sitcom is definitely in the works. And what’s more, he’s now hoping to do a nine- or ten-episode lead-in miniseries as well. Intriguing news indeed, but I don’t think I’ll be holding my breath. More details after the jump.
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Let’s start off this casting break with a quick one: Robert Luketic (The Ugly Truth) is putting together a diamond heist movie called Brilliant, written by Blood Diamond producer Gillian Gorfil. He’s now got Eric Bana set to star. The plot follows “a small-time criminal who joins accomplished thieves in a diamond heist,” with Bana presumably playing the small-timer. I can’t say that Luketic is the most inspiring choice — I don’t expect a serious heist movie here — but Bana could be a good choice for the lead. [Variety]
After the break, Liongate wants more of what Tyler Perry’s got, and Jason Bateman goes back to the land of the indie for two films. Read More »
Posted on Tuesday, August 16th, 2011 by Angie Han
Breakout star Melissa McCarthy has signed up for ID Theft, which will team her with the ubiquitous but charming Jason Bateman. As suggested by the title, the comedy follows a man who becomes the target of identity theft. Bateman will play the victim, and McCarthy the thief. McCarthy’s role was originally written for a man, but Bateman (who’s also producing) pushed to cast McCarthy in the part after seeing her inspired, scene-stealing performance in Bridesmaids.
Shooting for ID Theft will begin April 2012, at the start of McCarthy’s hiatus from Mike & Molly. The script was originally written by Steve Conrad (The Pursuit of Happyness), and is currently in rewrites with Craig Mazin (The Hangover Part II). [Deadline]
After the jump, new gigs for Natalie Portman and Parks & Recreation lovebirds Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally.
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In the race for best comedy of the summer, The Change-Up gives Bridesmaids a run for its money. It has all the laughs that were missing from The Hangover Part II, all the over-the-top crudeness that was missing from Horrible Bosses, all the life-lessons and heartwarming moments that were missing from Bad Teacher and puts them together in a nice, comfortable package. And while the cliched idea of a body switch comedy might not seem appealing on the surface, director David Dobkin keeps things interesting by pacing the film like a runaway train. Super-charged by two perfect lead performances by Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds, The Change-Up can be wildly uneven at times, but somehow manages to balance it all out in a way that’s both satisfying and hilarious. Read more after the jump. Read More »
I think most of you know The Change-Up drill by now: Jason Bateman is a family man, Ryan Reynolds is his perpetually single best friend, and after some mystical occurrence, they switch bodies. Awkward sexual antics and general hilarity ensue. We’ve seen some funny moments in previous trailers, and now there is a new red-band clip to prove the film’s pervy pedigree. Check it out below. Read More »
