Speaking with Anne Thompson, veteran thespian Robert Duvall has discussed the handful of projects he has in the works, none of which have the finances to move into production yet, including Terry Gilliam’s infamous “The Man Who Killed Don Quixote.”
“There’s been four films that have come up and are terrific, as good as ever. The projects are there but they can’t get the money for it, including Terry Gilliam. Hopefully it’ll still happen, hopefully. He can’t get the money, I’m starting to ride horses again…”
The quote seemingly corroborates Gilliam’s recent notion that the wait on the infamously-delayed project will be “longer than expected” despite having most acting talent in place in Duvall and Ewan McGregor and a tentative schedule planned out.
Other potential projects include three from Duvall’s “Crazy Heart” director Scott Cooper including the previously announced “Hatfield and the McCoys” which Duvall describes as “American Shakespeare” and says could go ahead “if [Brad] Pitt would say let’s go” (the project is being produced via the actor’s Plan B shingle); a Comanche drama written by Larry McMurtry (who co-wrote Duvall-starring miniseries “Lonesome Dove”); and Thompson also adds that Cooper may have a film based on slave rebellion leader Nat Turner in the works. All three sound pretty interesting; hopefully at least one can grow legs as Cooper’s next film.
Duvall also discussed the recently unveiled post-war drama from Billy Bob Thornton which may see him reunite with James Caan. “It is so good,” the actor noted. “He puts Tennessee Williams in the back seat. It’s just kind of a family thing after World War One and Two but it’s just so southern and so unique. He just finished it a few weeks ago. Hopefully they’ll get the money for that — who knows!”
And finally “there’s another one called ‘A Night In Old Mexico’ which this wonderful young French director’s obsessed with and wants to do.” This project has evidently been kicking around since 2004, with French helmer Xavier Giannoli on board though the aforementioned financing difficulties seem to be a hurdle once more.
“I guess it’s easier to raise 100 million sometimes than 10 million,” Duvall concluded. “These films that we have on hold waiting for money is as good as ever…but they do get money for, like, ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3.'”
