Following the recent success of Crazy, Stupid, Love. writers/directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa are prepping another Steve Carell project, one the actor will be producing (he recently launched his own production company Carousel, a a banner of which Crazy, Stupid, Love. was under). [Moviehole]
The filmmakers say of the project: “We’re working on something with Steve also, that he’s producing. He’s not starring but it’s based on the idea he had. We wrote the script already. It’s one of these three friends from college, but now they’re in their 40s, movies. They’re going on a European backpacking trip that that they never did. And it’s filled with all this middle-aged fun.”
And while it feels like a tired idea, Ficarra offers this: the script “doesn’t have a happy ending.”
Carell, of course, is a hot commodity these days, with the end-of-the-world comedy Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, co-starring Keira Knightley, wrapped as well as the dramedy Great Hope Springs – alongside Meryl Streep – shooting right now and the magician comedy Burt Wonderstone in serious pre-production.
And frankly, a tale of college buddies all-growed-up and sad and nostalgic feels like something Carell would’ve auditioned for years ago, and would turn down if offered now.
That said, it could/should be a great vehicle for middle-aged up-and-still-comers like Jason Sudeikis. With sure hands like Ficarra and Requa behind the camera, this project could become what Hot Tub Time Machine almost was.
What do you think of Carell and his career? Is this something worth his star power?