Yep, more new projects from Cannes. Bear with us.
Deadline reveals that Colin Firth and Emily Blunt are set to pair on an untitled dark comedy that Focus Features International is selling around the market on the Croisette. Written by Becky Johnston (“Seven Years In Tibet,” “The Prince Of Tides“) Firth will play “a man who hates his job and is hated by his ex-wife and son. Feeling he missed his one shot at living the dream, he fakes his death and buys a new identity. Along the way he meets a woman (Blunt) who is also trying to leave her past behind. The pair break into empty homes and pose as the absent owners. The two find a kinship despite all the lying.”
Sounds like a wickedly dark premise. Firth is fresh off his Oscar win for “The King’s Speech,” and seems to be eager to play with his persona, taking a similarly shaded lead in the upcoming “Gambit” while also eyeing Park Chan-wook‘s English language debut “Stoker.” And he’ll have a formidable co-star in Blunt who is making her way in the upper ranks of top tier actresses in Hollywood with roles in “The Muppets,” “Looper” and “Five Year Engagement” on the way. She also shined most recently opposite Matt Damon in “The Adjustment Bureau.” If there is any question mark right now, it’s with director Dante Ariola, a commercial and music video director who will be making his feature debut. He seems to have everything he needs to make a solid picture so let’s hope he doesn’t mess it up.