The gestating drama “Great Hope Springs” has been through a lot of changes since it was first announced earlier this summer. When we first heard of it, Meryl Streep and Jeff Bridges were attached with Philip Seymour Hoffman linked and Jessie Nelson (“I Am Sam”) directing. Shortly thereafter, Mike Nichols took over the director’s seat with Streep and Bridges considered to be solid and the question mark being Hoffman. But it looks like things have changed again.
Vulture reports that James Gandolfini, after a table read for the film, has taken the role slotted for Bridges as a deal was never closed for the latter actor, with Hoffman now seeming more of a certainty. The film follows a couple (Gandolfini and Streep) who attend an intense counseling session over a weekend in order to decide the fate of their marriage. Hoffman would presumably play the therapist. Word is that both Hoffman and Gandolfini are eager to do the film, and Streep is game as well and is ready for a March shoot if talent and distribution deals can be locked down.
Obviously, anything with such an astounding lineup would garner studio interest and producers Mandate Pictures are already fielding domestic distribution offers from the big boys. We certainly like the talent attached and the material sounds great, here’s hoping it moves forward.