Besides the total omnipresence of Jessica Chastain, among the many things the cinematic year of 2011 will be remembered for, is the return of some long absent film directors. After years in the wilderness, cinephiles were finally treated to new feature films from Alexander Payne, Lynne Ramsay and Whit Stillman. And now heading into 2012, another filmmaker, perhaps not as famous, is looking to get back behind the camera.
Way, way back in 2002 you might remember the charming indie "Roger Dodger" started making the arthouse rounds. Written and directed by Dylan Kidd and starring a skeezily charming Campbell Scott and newcomer Jesse Eisenberg, the film told the story of a womanizing uncle teaching his nephew the tricks of the trade with some finesses and style. Kidd quickly followed it up with the less successful "P.S." and then…kind of disappeared. He directed a pilot for Spike TV that didn't get going, and last year, he helmd a couple episodes of the cult comedy hit "Children's Hospital," but now the wheels are in motion for another feature.
Variety reports that Miles Teller ("Rabbit Hole," "Project X") will star, with offers out to Anna Kendrick and Bryan Cranston with Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Jay Pharaoh ("Saturday Night Live") and Eisenberg all circling roles (the latter's appearance would be a cameo). Kyle Pennekamp and Scott Turpel sold the script to CBS Films way back in 2009, and it follows a college grad and his pals who face a recession crushed post-school life. No word yet on the roles any of the above would play at the moment.
The production is pretty much ready to go — contingent on getting a cast of course — with filming gearing up to start as early as next month. While Kidd isn't quite a cinematic voice long missed, he showed a sharp handle on witty material and it'll be nice to see him bounce back with a starry vehicle like this. Let's hope it gets moving soon.
