Following up his box office and critical hit The Descendants, Alexander Payne won’t be taking as long of a break since his previous film Sideways. Things are already moving on his $13 million, black-and-white drama Nebraska and he’s been scouring Hollywood for a cast. We’ve heard Jack Nicholson, Robert Forster and Robert Duvall were all circling roles and Payne wanted Gene Hackman most of all, but according to a new report from Deadline, even the director couldn’t get him to come out of retirement.

His most desired choices for the Paramount project are now iconic actor Bruce Dern and MacGruber himself, Will Forte. The Robert Nelson-scripted drama follows a father and son who take a road trip from Montana to Nebraska so the father can “claim his million-dollar sweepstakes prize” with Publisher’s Clearing House. Along the way, the estranged parent and child attempt to bond once more.

I adore the idea of Forte in anything, so I’m certainly down for this prospect. As for Dern, he’s mostly stayed on the backburner last few years, but has appeared in films such as They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?, Silent Running, Black Sunday, The Great Gatsby, The Driver and Monster. The pair-up would be an odd one, but if there is one thing Payne has down-pat, it’s casting. Shooting is expected to begin soon for a 2013 release, so look for this aspect to be locked down quickly.

What do you think of these actors teaming up for a Payne film?