Bill Murray was supposed to star in James L. Brooks, new untitled romantic comedy as the father of Paul Rudd, but apparently lost interest in the role, so now Jack Nicholson (Brooks’ “As Good As It Gets”) has stepped into the role according to Variety. As previously reported, Reese Witherspoon and Owen Wilson also star (this project was announced in February of this year). Interestingly enough, the project is now being called an untitled romantic comedy, but back in February it was called, “How Do You Know?” Also let’s note, Nicholson is only in talks and nothing is confirmed quite yet.
It’s disappointing news to be sure. Both actors (Nicholson and Murray) arguably just play themselves these days (Jack for sure who has done so for decades), but Murray at least injects a soupçon of assholeness into his characters which always makes for well-rounded people that are not entirely likable (which always makes things more interesting (then again, to be fair Jack was an irredeemable boorish prick in the aforementioned Brooks film).
Ironically, this would have seen Brooks, Wes Anderson’s one-time mentor (during the “Bottle Rocket” days) aping two actors from the Anderson milieu (time has past and things are cool now, but if you’ve read enough interviews and watched the commentary and extras on the ‘BR’ DVD it’s pretty apparent the avuncular Brooks treated the guys like they were total nitwits, which arguably at the time they were).
Anywho, Jack is in, Bill is out which makes this project — a love triangle; Wilson (a baseball player) and Rudd (white collar exec) who are both vying for the affections of Witherspoon — feel too damn safe and familiar. Are we the only people who hated most of “As Good As It Gets” (OK, it’s probably just me), bothered by the premise that an almost middle age woman should settle for a OCD-psychopath because deep down he’s not so bad? (don’t even get us started on “Spanglish” which we couldn’t stomach).
Dunno, we generally like the Brooks heart n’ soul comedies (which Apatow co-opted wholesale), but impress us, Jim. We’re not on board just yet (and dear God, will Owen Wilson ever be tolerable in a film again? We can only hope).
Nicholson can still act when he feels like it: The Pledge. About Schmidt. The Bucket List. Okay, maybe not that last one.
I think i have to watch About Schmidt again cause i never loved it at the time. Liked it, not loved. Haven't seen it since and remember little about it. Didn't strike a huge impression.
Totally agree about As Good as It Gets. Sucked. And Nicholson won an Oscar for that! No wonder he keeps playing himself over and over.
This movie is now less interesting to me without Murray.
AS GOOD AS IT GETS did have the insanely memorable line of dialogue which I love repeating, "People who talk in metaphors ought to shampoo my crotch." Great stuff…