This summer, Paul Rudd is going to have dinner with a schmuck and then play an idiot. The former, of course, is the upcoming comedy “Dinner For Schmucks” co-starring Steve Carell and Zach Galifiniakis. When the trailer for that film dropped, we sort of lamented that Rudd seemed to be slipping into bland, straight-guy roles (i.e. “I Love You, Man”) but it appears with this next “idiot” project, the Rudd we know and like is back.
Titled “My Idiot Brother,” the film follows “an idealist [Rudd] dealing with his overbearing mother who crashes into the homes of his three ambitious sisters and, in succession, brings truth, happiness and a sunny disposition into their lives while also wreaking havoc.” Rudd as a blissfully unaware optimist/idealist? We like it.
Production on this film, set to start shooting in July, is ramping up quickly. The film is set to be directed by Jesse Peretz who helmed the forgotten 2006 Zach Braff/Jason Bateman comedy “Fast Track” aka “The Ex” and also worked with Rudd and Romany Malco on the little seen 2001 laffer “The Chateau.” He will be directing from a script written by his sister Evgenia Peretz, along with David Schisgall. The rest of the cast will be announced soon.
This will mark a very busy rest of 2010 for the actor. Once “My Idiot Brother” is in the can, Rudd will begin work on “Wanderlust,” a Judd Apatow-produced comedy written by David Wain and Ken Marino centering on a couple that retreats from city life to join a commune. Wain will be directing and Rudd will be starring alongside Jennifer Aniston. Earlier this year, Rudd was also attached to the hot comedies “Horrible Bosses” and “Better Living Through Chemistry.” However, it appears Rudd’s plate is now full and unless those projects have stalled, if they plan to shoot this year, it will most likely be without his involvement. And while these projects sound great, we’re still dying for Brian Fantana to return with a new batch of Sex Panther for “Anchorman 2.” But that would mean Paramount giving the project a greenlight which at this point, doesn’t seem likely.
Anyway, part of the Channel 4 news teams reunites when “Dinner For Schmucks” opens on July 23rd.