While "Trouble With Curve" was manipulative dramatic drivel, the film wasn't without its merits, most notably watching Justin Timberlake prove he's got an easy onscreen charisma that hasn't really been well served in any movie projects he's done thus far outside of "The Social Network" and arguably "Bad Teacher" (though the Coens' forthcoming "Inside Llewyn Davis" will likely change that). But the combination of a Black List script and a quality director could turn things around.
Timberlake is in talks to star in "The Last Drop," with Peter Sollett attached to direct. Penned by Brandon and Phil Murphy, the story centers on a fully functioning alcoholic who works at New York magazine, who meets the girl of his dreams and soon discovers that there’s a lot more at stake than love if he doesn’t clean up his act. Um, it sounds almost like a variation on "Smashed" to a certain degree, but we suppose it will give Timberlake a shot at showing a bit more range beyond just being sexy and funny onscreen.
Sollet has been pretty quiet since "Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist," working for a while on Marvel's "Runaways" before the studio kiboshed it, and seemingly isn't interested in that property at the moment. Last year he was linked to a romantic comedy with Anne Hathaway that hasn't been heard from since, and earlier this month he landed the gig directing the gay rights drama "Freeheld" with Ellen Page to star. No word on which will roll first, but we presume financing will have a big part in that decision.
But if this stalls, the Murphys aren't without options, and they have also recently finished a script about the making of the Rolling Stones' Exile On Main Street for a movie that was announced back in the spring. Clearly they have an affinity for characters going through chemical turmoil, so we'll be watching this with some curiosity. [Variety]