Paris Hilton has joined the cast of Todd Solondz’s upcoming project a sort-of/quasi sequel to his 1998 film, “Happiness,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Once named,”Life During Wartime,” the still untitled film also now boasts the inclusion of Allison Janney (“The West Wing”) and iconic European actress Charlotte Rampling (who worked with many of the greats in her 40+-year career, including Woody Allen, Luchino Visconti, Sidney Lumet, etc., she’s particularly great in “Stardust Memories”)
A project that had a long-gestating period, Paul Reubens (aka Pee Wee Herman) was set to be a part of concept years ago, but the last time there was an update on the film, he was no where mentioned, but now he is officially back on board (or he never left).
The film is apparently, “part-sequel, part-variation” on “Happiness,” and also includes a bunch of new character actors like Ciaran Hinds (“There Will Be Blood,” he’s consistently fantastic), Shirley Henderson, Renee Taylor, Michael Lerner, Michael Kenneth Williams (Omar from “The Wire”), Chane’t Johnson, Eric Wareheim, and Chris Marquette.
Back in 2007, it was reported that Demi Moore and Emma Thompson were once attached to this film, but that no longer seems to be the case.
It’s a strange “sequel,” and according to Indie Wire’s Peter Knegt (via Spoutblog), Reubens will adopt the role of Andy (as played by Jon Lovitz in “Happiness,” Williams will take the part of Allen (Philip Seymour Hoffman), Hinds will play Bill (the pedophile, Dylan Baker) and Shirley Henderson will be taking over for Jane Adams’ role of Joy, the depressed education-center teacher.
The provocative miserablist Solondz hasn’t directed a film since 2004’s straight to art-house-cinemas-only creep-fest, “Palindromes,” and that flick did so poorly, we once wondered aloud if he’d ever be allowed to make a movie again. Looks like his luck has changed. Having seen “Storytelling,” again recently, our opinion on that loathsome film is starting to change too. It is pretty awful at times and a thinly-veiled defense of those who critique his work, but damn, if there’s not some completely-wrong and off-color humor in the film that we can’t help but chuckle at. “But Consuelo!”