Todd Solondz has created worlds and characters so unique and compelling that one film can’t contain them. Eleven years after "Happiness," the filmmaker returned (sorta) to concerns and lives in that milieu (with some of the parts recast, and other tweaks) with "Life During Wartime," and now he’s doing the same with his breakout film "Welcome To The Dollhouse."
THR reports that Solondz is working on "Wiener-Dog," which will feature an ensemble cast rotating around a dachshund forming the thematic backdrop of the movie. (Uh, okay). But the biggest point of interest is that one of the film’s threads will catch up with the adult Dawn Wiener, which will be played by Greta Gerwig. And yes, that sounds pretty damn great. Julie Delpy is also in discussions for a role,. Casting is underway and the project is picking up forward momentum thanks to Megan Ellison, who can once again be thanked for backing an auteur in a climate where getting movies like this made is harder and harder. And in case you’re wondering, no, Heather Matarazzo, the original Dawn, won’t be appearing.
With all due respect to Julie Delphy to which party I wish well….no Heather Matarazzo (THE Dawn Wiener!)=no Dawn Wiener.
Yeah, I agree with the Palindromes comment. Solondz has done a "sort-of-sequel" to Welcome to the Dollhouse before. Wish he would\’ve come back with a wholly new project, but whatever. He\’s nothing if not interesting.
Also, while not entirely necessary, Heather Matarazzo could play the elder Dawn. It\’d certainly be a step up for her career after she agreed to be cut open while suspended in mid-air and completely nude in Hostel Part II. She is, after all, only in her early 30s just like Greta Gerwig (hard as it may be to believe).
Truman_Leonard – Was going to ask exactly that. I guess this film is either meant to ignore the event(s) in Palindromes or is an alternate reality take on the character.
Didn\’t Dawn die in Palindromes, though?
Megan Ellison — please get Frank or Francis back on track. Kinda bummed that Heather wouldn\’t reprise her role. Gerwig seems like an odd choice, actually. A little too "ugly duckling" to "indie swan".
Megan Ellison = God