Jason Schwartzman has already collaborated with his cousin Roman Coppola several times, more recently in the upcoming comedy “A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III.” But while Schwartzman plays supporting roles in Coppola's latest feature-length film as well as his previous one, “CQ,” the actor would be taking on more central responsibilities in two of Coppola’s prospective upcoming projects.
Schwartzman confirmed what we knew of one of Coppola’s ideas, a “Bugsy Malone”-styled film to feature an all-child cast, but we now know that Schwartzman, in the early stages, will be providing the music. He confirmed in a recent interview with us that it’s a “’Bugsy Malone’-type idea that I’m writing music for, because it’s a musical.” Along with that, while Schwartzman remains tight-lipped on the details, another film is in the works, in which he would play the lead.
"It's something we’re trying to get made that I would be in," he told us. "Roman is the least-lazy human being I’ve ever met. He runs a company, he’s directing commercials, he’s helping other people get things made, he’s patented a magic trick, he’s inventing toys. Sometimes nothing happens with what he’s come up with, but he never stops, he’s tireless. Roman brings out a version of myself that’s collaborative and brings out ideas.”
Schwartzman’s set to start shooting next week on Wes Anderson's “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” but one project that doesn’t seem likely to resurface is “The Adventurer’s Handbook.” The highly-touted ensemble piece would have teamed Schwartzman with Jonah Hill, Jason Segel, and a fourth lead in a film scripted by Hill, Max Winkler and Matt Spicer. “I haven’t heard any news as to what’s up with it,” Schwartzman revealed, suggesting the project is a distant memory. “But I was excited about it, I still am, and would love to work with those guys.”
One future project that keeps resurfacing is a “Bored To Death” film spun off from the series, one that would likely air on cable and bring the story of Jonathan Ames, private detective, to an end. ”Basically, until something comes out, you can’t ever really count on it,” Schwartzman cautioned. Though he did admit, “I don’t want to get my hopes up. But I do know that HBO and Jonathan Ames are in business together to do the movie, and he’s currently writing it. Before the show was canceled, Jonathan was showing me all the fourth season, he had it all figured out, it was really incredible. I think some of that will find its way into the movie, and I’m very excited about it.” But he did cryptically caution, “There are a lot of reasons why it can or cannot happen.”
"A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III" is on VOD now and opens theatrically on February 8th in limited release. More from this interview closer to release.