First, we just need to get something off our chest. It’s an absolute crime that with his run on the “The Office” now over, six-time Emmy nominee Steve Carell didn’t win one time for his fantastic turn as the Michael Scott. More than just a bumbling boss, Carell found real depth and heart in Michael Scott that allowed the character to flourish over seven seasons. Okay, mini rant over. Regardless of industry accolades, Carell has used his sitcom success to spread his wings as a dramatic actor in fare like “Dan In Real Life” and “Crazy Stupid Love,” however, his greatest challenge as an actor will find him paired up with “Capote” and “Moneyball” director Bennett Miller for what is an ambitious project for them both.
Before we get to news, we have to admit, this little piece of true crime history passed us by. John du Pont was a stamp-collecting, bird-watching multimillionaire and paranoid schizophrenic who built a wrestling training facility, Team Foxcatcher on his 800-acre Pennsylvania estate. In 1996, he shockingly murdered Olympic gold medal-winning wrestler David Schultz, a longtime friend, who du Pont believed (as was discovered during the trial) was part of an international conspiracy to kill him. So keep that in mind because Variety reports that none other than Carell will take on the lead role in the film Miller was first attached to four years ago. And with “Moneyball” a success and looking at Oscar, the director is striking while the iron is hot to get his next film moving.
“Foxcatcher” will have a script from E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman who penned “Capote,” so it will be a nice reunion for Miller. As for Carell it’s an interesting and definitely exciting change in gears, in what looks like a straight dramatic role where he’ll portray a man with a severe mental illness. One that apparently many people didn’t see at all. The key for this of course is so will play Schultz who was accused by some family friends of exacerbating whatever mental disease du Pont may have had. It is certainly a very promising project and one that will get moving sooner than you might think.
The plan is for production on “Foxcatcher” to begin in March meaning no more six or even year gaps between films for Miller. This is certainly a surprise, and it’s a collaboration as fascinating as the true life story it’s based on.