Jack Black has set his career in reverse, a smart move, perhaps, considering his now well-earned reputation as box office poison. After years of acting in big name flops — the most recent being the star-studded misstep, The Big Year — the School of Rock lead is turning on studio projects for more low-budget indie fare. So far, the move has worked to his favor, starting with his critically acclaimed turn as a small-town mortician-turned-murder suspect in the comedy Bernie. If an interview with Vulture is any indication, his new loyalty to smaller films isn’t about to fade.
The actor spoke on a range of topics, from Seth MacFarlane hosting the Oscars (he’s not into it), to a new Tenacious D project, but the most intriguing piece of news concerned Charlie Kaufman’s stalled film Frank or Francis. Black, who has been involved with the project since it was first announced last year, admitted that it still needs 10 million dollars to happen. But while money is an issue, at least it isn’t lacking in devotion.
The ambitious satire musical follows a fight between a blogger and a film director and Black said, “It is a very surreal and dark look at Hollywood. I f*cking love it.” If Frank or Francis ever gets out of pre-production limbo, it would not only boast an amazing premise, but also one of the most eclectic casts ever – joining early boarders Nicholas Cage and Steve Carell are Elizabeth Banks, Paul Reubens, Kate Winslet, Catherine Keener and Kevin Kline, all of whom signed on last January.
But a man’s gotta eat, and while Black waits for those 10 million simoleons to come rolling in, he can busy himself with Kung Fu Panda 3, a sequel he’s pretty positive will happen. Sure, it’s no Kaufman film, but at least it pays the bills. Annapurna Pictures, can you hear this plea?
If you could, would you throw some money towards Frank or Francis?