As previously reported, Cameron Crowe now seems to be confirmed to direct the adaptation of Benjamin Mee’s autobiographical “We Bought A Zoo” with offers out to Ben Stiller and Matt Damon, according to the latest issue of Production Weekly (the issue itself is not online) which has all kinds of little tidbits on the film.
Update: PWeekly was correct, Crow is officially directing this film. He’s also rewriting the script to suit his style.
In what will be Crowe’s first film since 2005’s “Elizabethtown,” Mee’s story follows the English author as he uproots his family into the countryside on a property complete with a dwindling zoo, home to over 200 exotic animals. There, however, the family is struck with the tragic cancer battle of the wife and mother, whose unfortunate passing goes onto inspire the family to rebuild the zoo. Their relationship to the animals grows, ultimately healing the family’s wounds and allowing them to move forward.
Stiller was previously linked to “We Bought A Zoo,” but had seemingly dropped it for Noah Baumbach’s similarly themed “Mr. Popper’s Penguins.” With the recent exit of the “Greenberg” director’s participation — it would seem the actor, who is also attached to direct and star in “Help Me Spread Goodness” (possibly this summer), may very well end up in Crowe’s latest.
No word on what roles either actor would play, but Stiller was presumed to be joining as the lead in earlier reports. It’s possible that Damon has been offered the same role in case the incredibly busy Stiller bails for one of his own projects. There’s no guarantee either will take it, but the film has already been given a December 23, 2011 release date by 20th Century Fox and a tentative September starting date, so it appears that things will be moving shortly. More details to come, we’re sure.
Regular Crowe production designer Clay Griffith has also joined the project in what was an early sign of Crowe’s commitment to ‘Zoo.’ Mark Gordon (“Saving Private Ryan”) is producing alongside Julie Yorn (“Unstoppable,” “The Girl with the Red Riding Hood”) under Gordon’s eponymous company.
The story is being adapted for the screen by “The Devil Wears Prada” scribe Aline Brosh McKenna and a Christmas release is seemingly perfect for this emotional story with family intimacy at its core, certain to capture audiences’ hearts especially during the festive season. Don’t forget the successful, “Marley & Me,” had the same release date in 2008. With a potential September start date being eyed we should hear some official word shortly.