Caffeinated Clint
Kathy Bates and Susan Sarandon, most recently in Ben Falcone’s “Tammy”, will reunite for director Xavier Dolan’s “The Death and Life of John F. Donovan”.
Jessica Chastain and Kit Harrington are already onboard the film, the first English-language effort for “Mommy” director Dolan.
The film sounds similar in vein to current critical darling “Birdman” – by way of “Lolita” :
Per THR :
The film tells the story of fictional actor John F. Donovan (Kit Harington) — famous for playing a Marvel-style superhero — whose life and career are turned upside-down when his private correspondence with an 11-year-old fan is exposed and made to look indecent by a villainous gossip columnist (Jessica Chastain).
Bates is being slated for the role of Donovan’s high-powered manager, while Sarandon will play Harington’s mother.
“I’m so psyched about working with these two wonderful, mythical actresses,” Dolan tells the trade. “My excitement is almost convulsive.”
Bates and Sarandon were Dolan’s first and only choices for the roles.
The film isn’t a profile on Hollywood, but rather the story of how a family deal with their son’s fame.
“It’s not about Hollywood itself,” explains Dolan. “It’s about the impact Hollywood has on your private life and how it can transform and distort your intimacy with others.”
“Susan Sarandon’s role of the mother is tricky for me because it feels very real,” explains Dolan. “The rapport my mom has with my life [since my profile has risen] — and of course I’m not as famous as the character of Donovan — is different now. I think all people can relate to this because whenever you walk out of the path that’s been traced for you, people from your old life find it a little menacing, because it questions their own worth.”
Bates will play an Ari Gold-type role, she will “epitomize the very efficient, brash, fast-moving, bitchy manager” according to Dolan.
The film will begin in late spring 2015 in London, New York, Miami and Dolan’s hometown of Montreal.
