‘Breaking Bad’ Star Aaron Paul, ‘The Help’ Breakout Actress Octavia Spencer & Nick Offerman Also On Board
Since Mary Elizabeth Winstead is done battling awful CGI-rendered aliens in “The Thing” prequel, and “Breaking Bad” star Aaron Paul and Nick Offerman aka Ron Swanson from “Parks & Recreation” have a break from their shows’ respective seasons, it would appear as if it’s time to shoot a feature.
Variety is reporting that those three, along with “The Help” breakout actress Octavia Spencer, are in negotiations to be a part of the impressive ensemble cast for the indie drama “Smashed.” The awkwardly titled production outfit Super Crispy Entertainment is behind this one, and as they also backed the celebrated Anton Yelchin and Felicity Jones-starring “Like Crazy,” they know how to get a cast together for a small film on a dime. Said to be loosely based on the 1962 Blake Edwards drama “Days of Wine and Roses,” the film is the modern retelling of a couple who form a bond over their love of alcohol. When the wife (Winstead) decides to go sober with her AA sponsor by her side (Spencer), the relationship between her and her husband (Paul) becomes tumultuous.
The film will be co-written and directed by James Ponsoldt, who has the 2006 Nick Nolte drama “Off The Black” on his resume. We’re guessing this will have a pretty big festival push this time next year, especially with Spencer picking up Oscar buzz for “The Help,” and Winstead and Paul already becoming precious commodities on their own.
While we were fans of Winstead’s work as the charming Ramona Flowers in “Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World,” she hasn’t done much worth talking about since (in this writer’s opinion). Paul is a standout in his role on AMC‘s “Breaking Bad,” and walked away with an Emmy last year for his performance on that show. While the jury is still out on whether Spencer will take home an Oscar come awards season, she’s certainly an emerging talent worth noticing.
The most interesting addition, in this “Parks & Recreation” fan’s opinion, is that of Nick Offerman. Known better as the surly Ron Swanson on the hit NBC program, outside of a few bit parts in films like “All Good Things,” “The Go-Getter” and “Sin City,” Offerman hasn’t done much feature work. We hope that with the increased profile ‘Parks’ has given Offerman, he can show off the serious acting chops he so prominently displays as Swanson.