James Gunn’s “Super” Starring Rainn Wilson & Ellen Page Slotted For April 1, 2011
After the underwhelming Michael Cera-led adaptation of “Youth In Revolt” early last year, director Miguel Arteta‘s next directorial effort, the road-trip comedy “Cedar Rapids” starring Ed Helms of “The Office” and “The Hangover” fame, has somewhat fallen off the radar. However, the film has now been handed a February 11th release date which may mean a premiere in January at the Sundance Film Festival. It also appears the film will start out in limited release.
Helms’ first starring vehicle, directed by Arteta and with indie-maven Alexander Payne producing, the comedy follows the story of a middle aged insurance salesman who gets another chance to revitalize his empty life by attending a prestigious insurance convention in the eponymous town in Iowa. Definitely sounds like material fit for Park City, though the dumping-ground release in February is something of a worry.
The film shot late last year on location and features a quality rag-tag supporting cast including John C. Reilly, Alia Shawkat, Anne Heche, Stephen Root, Rob Corddry, Thomas Lennon, Kurtwood Smith and Sigourney Weaver, who was previously noted to play Helm’s high-school teacher turned older lover. The script by Phil Johnston placed fifth on the 2009 Black List, the same year Aaron Sorkin‘s “The Social Network” came in second to gestating Jim Henson biopic, “The Muppet Man” so perhaps there’s hope yet.
Fox Searchlight will release the film via its multi-picture deal with Payne, which will also see the unveiling of “The Descendants” starring George Clooney sometime in 2011 and possibly an adaptation of Daniel Clowes’ “Wilson” in the future (seemingly floundering Payne projects, “Fork In The Road” and “Downsizing” were also Fox Searchlight pictures). By the way, the above image is of Helms performing with Old Crow Medicine Show during filming for “Cedar Rapids” though, as far we know, it has nothing to do the film itself.
Another new-ish release date we haven’t yet reported; James Gunn‘s anti-superhero comedy, “Super” starring Rainn Wilson and Ellen Page will hit theaters on April 1st, 2011 via IFC Films who picked up the film during TIFF 2010.