2014’s “Nightcrawler” is easily one of actor Jake Gyllenhaal’s best films. While the actor has been great in a variety of roles, Lou from “Nightcrawler” is Gyllenhaal at his best. The role is equal parts charming, creepy, and downright scary. That’s why it’s so exciting to know that the actor is reteaming with “Nightcrawler” writer/director Dan Gilroy and co-star Rene Russo for a new film, reportedly titled “Velvet Buzzsaw,” over at Netflix. And as if that couldn’t be topped, Gilroy and Gyllenhaal are bringing a who’s who of talent to round out the cast.
According to Variety, Zawe Ashton, Natalia Dyer, Tom Sturridge, Daveed Diggs, Toni Collette, and John Malkovich have all signed on to join Russo and Gyllenhaal in the film. Just to drive home the point of how great this cast is, you have two Tony Award winners (Diggs and Sturridge), two Academy Award nominees (Collette and Malkovich), and one of the hottest up-and-comers in Dyer, from “Stranger Things.” It’s an embarrassment of riches.
Not much is known about the film, other than it’s being described as a horror/thriller that follows artists and collectors who pay a high price when art and commerce collide. Honestly, the plot is secondary when you’re talking about the creative team associated with this film. Production is apparently underway, with a 2018 release date planned.
While Netflix has been notorious for having some lackluster original films, it looks like they have a couple aces up their sleeve. With “The Irishman,” from Martin Scorsese, Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci, combined with “Velvet Buzzsaw,” it looks like the streaming service has a couple of the most highly anticipated films coming out in the next year.
Here’s to hoping lightning can strike twice and Gilroy/Gyllenhaal can knock it out of the park again with “Velvet Buzzsaw.”