Michael Cera is at the Berlin International Film Festival for the world premiere this weekend of Dustin Guy Defa‘s “The Adults.” In the film, Cera stars as a man who returns to his hometown as he struggles to reconnect with his two sisters (Hannah Gross and Sophie Lillis) and bridge the gap between his childhood and adult life. “The Adults” premieres out of competition in the Encounters section of the Berlinale, but expect the film to still get some buzz.
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As for Cera developing projects of his own, the actor talked with The Hollywood Reporter in a new interview about possible upcoming projects. And one of those sounds like a match made in heaven for Cera to write and direct. “Actually, I am trying to get a couple of things made and hopefully get something going this year, and they would be to direct,” Cera told THR. ” One of them is an adaptation of a novel, “Masters of Atlantis,” by Charles Portis, and I’ve been pushing it along with a couple of friends of mine, Vernon Chatman and Antonio Campos. The other is a feature film I’ve written with two friends, which is an original story.”
For those unfamiliar with Portis’ 1985 novel, it follows the gullible Lamar Jimmerson as he enters into the Gnomon Society, which allegedly holds the ancient secrets of Atlantis. Jimmerson opens several Gnomon temples in pre-WWII America, attracting con men, idiots, and social parasites along the way. Long cited as a favorite by Cera, Bill Hader, and “The Office” creator Greg Daniels, “Masters Of Atlantis” begs for an onscreen treatment. But Cera’s interest isn’t exactly breaking news: he snatched up the rights to “Masters Of Atlantis” a while ago, and previously wanted to make it into a TV series.
Still, Cera teaming up with Campos and Chatman for a take on “Masters Of Atlantis” sounds like a match made in heaven. As a writer/producer, Chatman brings the comedic goods with credits on “Wonder Showzen,” “South Park,” and “The Shivering Truth.” But Portis’ novel isn’t just funny; it also has a dark, semi-sinister bent to it, which fits Campos’ filmmaking style well. Plus, Campos’ latest film, 2020’s “The Devil All The Time,” is an adaptation of Donald Ray Pollock‘s 2011 novel of the same name. So, if this trio manages to get the ball rolling on this project, expect they’ll deliver and capture Portis’ voice successfully.
Of course, who knows about the other project Cera mentions, an original feature he co-writes with two friends? But in either that case or “Masters Of Atlantis,” the actor wants to make his feature-directing debut soon. And let’s hope it’s the Charles Portis novel, because if “Norwood” and “True Grit” are indicators, then his work is tailor-made for big-screen adaptations.
