"Burt Wonderstone" is one of those projects that flies just enough below the radar that we never really paid much attention to it. Yes, it was a very hot script (by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein) but in the past few months the project has amassed an outrageously wonderful cast, which now includes Steve Carell (as the title character), Olivia Wilde, Jim Carrey, Steve Buscemi, Alan Arkin and James Gandolfini. And now this tale of dueling Las Vegas magicians has, according to the Hollywood Reporter, just added another name to its stellar cast: Emmy-winning actor (and Pixar mainstay) Brad Garrett.
The actor, best known for his role on "Everybody Loves Raymond," will play Burt Wonderstone's accountant. The Hollywood Reporter describes the plot of the film as being about a traditional magician (Carell) who is dethroned by a "hipper illusionist doing dangerous tricks." So he breaks up with his partner (apparently firing Garrett's character, the accountant) and has to reignite his magical mojo. Sounds like it could be funny, with some melancholic elements (always a good thing), and who doesn't love a movie about magic?
The film is being directed by Don Scardino, a TV veteran who has directed a boatload of "30 Rock" episodes (he also serves as a producer), as well as epidoes of "Law & Order," "Royal Pains" and "Rescue Me," while Jason Reitman did a polish on the script. Filming is scheduled to begin next month. Here's hoping this one lives up to the potential of its cast.
