The mega-comedy “The Big Year” starring a heavyweight trio of Steve Martin, Jack Black & Owen Wilson has just added a staggering number of co-stars to the film. Rashida Jones, Anjelica Huston, Jim Parsons, Rosamund Pike, JoBeth Williams, Brian Dennehy, Dianne Wiest, Anthony Anderson and Tim Blake Nelson are set to join what is shaping up to be one hell of an ensemble with Kevin Pollak and Joel McHale in talks as well. Phew.
As we previously reported, the film is based on the 1998 book by Mark Obmascik, subtitled “A Tale of Man, Nature and Fowl Obsession,” it follows three men competing in a bird-watching competition, who whose rivalry “is an allegory for the challenges each faces in his own life.” Obviously Martin/Black/Wilson play the trio of bird lovers, while Hollywood continues to peddle the improbable, with Jones set to play Black’s love interest. No word yet on what everybody else will play, but we’re guessing the production must have all the characters cast now.
The film is being directed by Dave Frankel (“The Devil Wears Prada,” “Marley & Me”) who seems to have a deft hand for broad (though formulaic) popular entertainment, from a script by Howard Franklin, who wrote the underrated Bill Murray heist picture “Quick Change.” Despite the potential for awesomeness of a combined trio of Martin, Black & Wilson, they all also have a tendency to align themselves with dreck so we’re keeping our expectations in check. But with a tremendous supporting cast now circling, we’re hoping that it brings out the ‘A-game’ in everyone involved. Filming is set to begin this month in Canada.
–Written by Kevin Jagernauth