Things are certainly looking up for “The Descendants” screenwriters Nat Faxon and Jim Rash following their Oscar wins for adapting Kaui Kurt Hemmings’ novel into the excellent Alexander Payne film. They’ve got a few big projects brewing in an action-comedy with Kristen Wiig, another collaboration with Payne, and their directorial debut in the dramedy “The Way, Way Back” – which continues to build an impressive ensemble cast.
After much hoopla over who would play the lead, Steve Carrell and Toni Collette are toplining this story of a teenage boy who, over the course of his summer vacation, starts a friendship that provides him with the courage to stand up to his carousing, boozing stepfather and reconnect with his mother. Carrell is the stepfather, with Collette as the mom, and “The Killing” actor Liam James as the son. Now Deadline is reporting that the impressive additions of “Bridesmaids” actress Maya Rudolph, comic actor Rob Corddry and “2012” actress Amanda Peet have now increased our anticipation for this project even more. For supposedly being part drama, part comedy, they’ve certainly lined up a group of funny people that we certainly have an interest in seeing flex their dramatic chops. Details on who each will play are scant, but hey, all three have their fair share of impressive credits to their name, so we have faith.
Lensing on this one begins Monday in Massachusetts with the rest of the ensemble filled out by Allison Janney ("Juno"), Sam Rockwell (um, a ton of solid films) and AnnaSophia Robb ("Soul Surfer," "The Bridge to Terabithia"). Color us excited.