You wouldn’t be crazy to have forgotten that actor John Turturro wrote and directed a “Big Lebowski” spin-off film featuring his character Jesus Quintana. While it was big news when it was announced, that was way back in the summer of 2016, a full three years ago. Since then, there have been little bits and pieces, but for the most part, news has been quiet about the film, formerly known as “Going Places.” But now, thanks to Screen Media, the film, now called “The Jesus Rolls,” has a distribution deal and fans can finally learn when they might get to see the ‘Lebowski’ spin-off.
According to Screen Media, John Turturro’s “The Jesus Rolls” has been acquired by the distributor and given an “early 2020” release time frame. That means the film will finally hit theaters close to four years after it was announced that production had begun. Better late than never, right?
“It feels like a good time to release a transgressive film about the stupidity of men who try and fail and try better to understand and penetrate the mystery of women,” said Turturro. “I look forward to working with Screen Media and bring our work and the character of the Jesus to American audiences.”
“The Jesus Rolls” follows the character of Jesus Quintana, last seen in the Coen Brothers‘ classic film, as he teams with some other “misfits” on the run from a gun-toting hairdresser. Clearly, the same sort of irreverence found in “The Big Lebowski” will be on display in this new film. Buzz about the film is likely going to build as we approach the fall, considering “The Jesus Rolls” is the perfect type of film to debut at a festival like TIFF. And the release date of “early 2020” sure does indicate that premieres could happen in the fall.
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“It’s an honor to be working with John Turturro again,” said Seth Needle, SVP of Worldwide Acquisitions at Screen Media. “His passion for storytelling and character building is unparalleled, so it goes without saying that people should be excited for the Jesus.”
“The Jesus Rolls” stars Turturro alongside Bobby Cannavale, Audrey Tautou, Jon Hamm, Susan Sarandon, and Pete Davidson.
As mentioned, no specific release date has been set, but Screen Media is saying the film will arrive in theaters in early 2020.
Here’s the synopsis, as well as a new picture from the film:
THE JESUS ROLLS follows a trio of misfits whose irreverent, sexually charged dynamic evolves into a surprising love story as their spontaneous and flippant attitude towards the past or future backfires time and again, even as they inadvertently perform good deeds. When they make enemies with a gun-toting hairdresser, their journey becomes one of constant escape from the law, from society and from the hairdresser, all while the bonds of their outsider family strengthen.
