While he may have been off the grid for a few years there, Cameron Crowe is storming back in 2011. He’s got the dramedy “We Bought A Zoo” with Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Haden Church, Angus MacFadyen, Elle Fanning, Patrick Fugit, John Michael Higgins and J.B. Smoove getting ready for a Christmas release. His documentary “Pearl Jam Twenty” on the titular grunge icons will premiere at the Venice Film Festival, before hitting theaters in September and PBS in October. And if all that isn’t enough, he’s actually already got another completed documentary in the can.
Titled “The Union,” the Crowe-directed documentary about Elton John chronicles the making of the album of the same name, a collaborative effort between John and songwriter and musician Leon Russell. Until they started work on the album, the two had not spoken for 38 years. Stevie Nicks and producer Don Was make appearances in the documentary as well, and while John isn’t necessarily our musical cup of tea, with Cameron at the helm it should prove fascinating and we’re kind of suckers for “making of” album films in any shape or form.
The film opened the The Tribeca Film Festival earlier this year, but in case you missed it, HBO has now picked up the documentary and will air it in January 2012. Sure, it might see like a bit of wait, but there will be plenty of Crowe to tide you over until then. [Variety]