Julie Delpy's become quite the renaissance woman in recent years. The French actress, discovered by Godard at the age of 14 before going into international stardom in "Europa Europa" and "Three Colors White," has worked principally in U.S. fare in the last decade-and-a-half, in films from "Broken Flowers" to, um, "An American Werewolf in Paris," but it's her behind-the-scenes achievements that are the most impressive.
She co-wrote the follow-up to U.S. breakthrough "Before Sunrise," "Before Sunset," with Richard Linklater and Ethan Hawke, and won an Oscar nomination for her trouble (with a third film potentially in the works, as we revealed this morning), and has since gone on to direct the well-received comedy "2 Days in Paris," which itself will get a sequel, "2 Days In New York," co-starring Chris Rock, next year, as well as the Elizabeth Bathory biopic "The Countess." Delpy, who's always been something of a counter-culture icon, has just landed another directorial gig, and it's potentially her biggest to date, examining as it does one of the true legends of rock'n'roll.
The polymath is, according to Variety, now attached to direct a biopic of Joe Strummer, the late frontman of the greatest band in history (and we will fight anyone who disagrees), The Clash, entitled "The Right Profile," which, of course, is the name of a track off the group's masterpiece "London Calling." The picture will apparently focus on Strummer's disappearance from public life shortly before the release of "Combat Rock," the last album with the group's original line up, in 1982.
While the trade don't say as much, the presence of producer Simon Halfon ("Sleuth") reveals that the project is the one formerly known as "Joe Public," announced just over a year ago. 'Public' was set up at Film4 with Paul Viragh, who penned the Andy Serkis-starring Ian Dury biopic "Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll," writing the script, but it's unclear whether Delpy is starting from scratch, or whether Film4 are still involved.
It's not the only Clash-related project in the works as well; Jez Butterworth, writer of theatrical masterpiece "Jerusalem," is writing an unnamed project based around the making of "London Calling" at Ruby Films ("Tamara Drewe," "Jane Eyre"). Last we heard, that film had surviving band members on board as executive producers, and exclusive rights to the film's music, which would seem to give it a natural advantage, but word's been quiet for nearly a year, so maybe Delpy's appointment (perhaps inspired by the band's track "Julie's Been Working For The Drug Squad"?) will give "The Right Profile" a head start?
Greatest band? I got their 2 disk compliation for free and I couldnt get past the first song. It was noise! I literally could not understand a single word that was said. Im only 25. Im not an old fogie!
Greatest band in history? Hahahaha. The Clash in my opinion are more overhyped and overrated than almost anyone I can think of. I just don't get all the love this band still gets to this day.
I like Julie a whole bunch but I find it hard to believe she is somewhat of a "counter-cultural icon."
Sounds like an interesting time of Joe's life to tackle. Some of his later music is pretty incredible. It's going to take some serious casting and gravitas behind the lens to pull this off. Maybe Deply is up for it, but her work to date (which I dig) gives little hint of ability to transcend the Linklater Euro/Woody Allen molds.