Scientific fact: every movie is better for having a little Sam Rockwell in it. Whether it's in a lead role, like in "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" or "Moon," or a scene-stealing supporting turn like in "Galaxy Quest" or the blockbuster "Iron Man 2," he's one of those actors who never gives a bad performance, and makes every picture he appears in that much better.
Which is why, off the back of what's apparently an outstanding turn in "Seven Psychopaths," it can only be great news for actors-turned-first-time writers/directors Michael Godere and Ivan Martin, who according to Screen Daily have landed Rockwell to star in their feature debut "Why Now." And Rockwell's not the only one: Oscar winner and double-nominee Marisa Tomei and "The Hurt Locker" star Brian Geraghty are also on board the film. Godere and Martin, indie actors who also wrote the script as an entrée deeper into Hollywood, will appear in the film too. Plot details are thin at the moment, although the film is described as a comedy.
The pair co-wrote the psychological thriller "Daylight" a couple of years back, but this marks their first time in the director's chair, and they've got some heavyweight backing behind them. Parts & Labor, who were behind "Beginners," as well as the upcoming "Saints," with Rooney Mara, Ben Foster and Casey Affleck, are backing the project, which is budgeted at a mere $500,000. Given the cast involved, and that they can't exactly be getting blockbuster salaries, we can only assume that Godere and Martin have a killer script on their hands. Filming will start in New York in November, so we'll likely see this on the festival circuit in 2013.