Stiller and Franco to Star in ‘While We’re Young’
Ben Stiller and James Franco
Hot off their competing Independent Spirt nominations, Ben Stiller and James Franco will topline While We’re Young, a new dramatic comedy from Greenberg writer-director Noah Baumbach. The project centers on a documentary filmmaker (Stiller) inspired by a young couple (including Franco) to liven up his marriage.
Cate Blanchett is in talks to play Stiller’s wife, while his Greenberg co-star Greta Gerwig is negotiating to play Franco’s love interest. The script is described as “more accessible and more commercial” than Greenberg, which grossed only $4.2 million despite some of the best reviews of Stiller’s career (including his first Spirit Award nomination.)
Baumbach has built a steady partnership with Stiller, rewriting the Tower Heist script for him and was on board to direct him in Mr. Popper’s Penguins before the two exited the project. Baumbach’s impressive resume includes writing and directing The Squid and the Whale and Margot at the Wedding, in addition to co-writing The Life Aquatic and The Fantastic Mr. Fox with Wes Anderson.
The While We’re Young announcement caps off an amazing week for Franco, having just been announced as Oscar co-host and receiving an Independent Spirit nomination for 127 Hours.
Better be better than Greenberg and Margot, neither of which was pleasant or particularly interesting, IMHO
I liked the idea of Franco being part of a young couple enlivening an older couple the first time I saw it… when it was called Date Night
(thank you David Spade, the bit never gets old)
Ouch. Comedy Central Roast of Noah Baumbach, hosted by Kevdo
haha
Seriously though: Margot was pretty lousy (as was Jack’s performance, tbh)
I think Greenberg was great! Watched it a couple of times, actually.