After experiencing an ultra-successful 2009 — not to mention the Oscar possibilities that still lie ahead — it’s safe to say that pretty much everyone has their eye on Jason Reitman. Well, according to this article from /Film, the man behind Up in the Air has lined up his next project. After some speculation that Jay and Mark Duplass were working on a script for Reitman to direct, it turns out that the brothers instead will direct the film themselves, with Reitman on board to produce.
The Duplass Brothers have started off their careers building a solid foundation in the independent circuit with critically-acclaimed films such as Nights and Weekends, The Puffy Chair, and, most recently, Baghead. The team has just finished an upcoming Fox Searchlight picture titled Cyrus, but according to this Movieweb interview, they don’t want to waste any time before starting another one. Their new, Reitman-produced project — titled Jeff Who Lives at Home — is set to begin shooting in April or May, with a hopeful release date of early 2011. Mark Duplass described the upcoming film as follows:
“It’s our take on a quest movie. It’s like a Sword in the Stone movie. But it’s starring a stoner who is looking for wood glue. We are always going to mess with genre and use it to our favor. I can’t say too much, because my press team will maul me. Jason Reitman is producing for us. We are shooting in the spring. This is the movie we were born to make. We are more than ready to jump into this one.”
After the success of their first three films, I can’t help but be excited by any upcoming project with the Duplass Brothers name on it, let alone one Mark describes as “the movie we were born to make.” However, Reitman‘s producer position is somewhat intriguing. You will recall that he produced, but did not direct, the largely-unsuccessful Jennifer’s Body, which was written by Juno scribe Diablo Cody. However, on a more positive note, he also owns a producing credit to Atom Egoyan‘s Chloe, which received great festival buzz in its 2009 run.
Ironically enough, the polished, Oscar-nominated director seems to be somewhat of a wild card in this position.
Based on what the Duplass Brothers have done so far — and Reitman’s inconsistent experience as a producer — do you have high hopes for this film?