There are two ways we can approach this story, either as a statement on Canadian director Bruce McDonald's seemingly endless slate of projects or as yet another journey for the helmer into music based material. But really, both apply. Coming off a year that saw McDonald release "Hardcore Logo 2," the short film "A Love Supreme" as well as get behind the camera on a handful of TV projects, 2012 is barely two weeks old and he's already packing up his schedule.
First up, back in September, the always multitasking McDonald signed on to direct the supernatural thriller "Dark Highway" and then not much was heard since. But it appears he may have now found his leading man. The Halifax Chronicle Herald caught up with the director who revealed he's looking to get Nicolas Cage to sign on for the lead. "Now it’s all about timing, and everybody’s schedule," McDonald said about the actor's possible participation.
The film is budgeted at $25 million and has producer Sigurjon Sighvatsson ("Killer Elite," "Brothers," "Baquiat") behind it, and it centers on a man who is on the run, but can't tell the difference between reality and imagination. Kind of sounds like Nic Cage movie, and we suppose we'll find out soon if the filmmakers have locked down the actor. We suppose if they get him signed, the film will start moving. But this isn't all McDonald is taking a look at.
Already taking Canadian supergroup Broken Social Scene to the big screen with "This Movie Is Broken," and having recently helmed the video for Bedouin Soundclash's "Brutal Hearts" featuring French chanteuse Coeur De Pirate, McDonald will now pair up with Montreal pop group Stars for a new movie. And he's kicking things up a few notches from his collaboration with Broken Social Scene. While it will follow the same fictional plot paired with music from the band, this new project will be based on the forthcoming Stars album These Days Are Gone, and will have a script by "Lemony Snicket" writer Daniel Handler, which is reportedly already finished.
This is not the first time Stars and Handler have crossed paths, as the author penned a short story which appeared in the liner notes for their album In Our Bedroom After War, and played accordion on the song "Barricade." That's about all the details for now however. The new album doesn't have a release date, and no word on when it might film. However, we'd guess that at the very least, the film will be set in Montreal, similar to how "This Movie Is Broken" utilized Broken Social Scene's hometown of Toronto as the backdrop.
But of course, this isn't all McDonald is working on. He's also re-teaming with his frequent collaborator actor/writer Don McKellar, for an adapation of a yet unnamed Canadian novel. The film will be a western, with McKellar penning the script, and McDonald directing, but that's about all that's known about the period piece that has a script that the latter will now polish.
So lot's on the horizon from the Canadian helmer who shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.