Michel Gondry hasn’t worked with a Hollywood studio since the 2011 comedy “The Green Hornet.” But he’ll do so for his follow-up to last year’s “The Book Of Solutions” for what’s arguably the most peculiar project in his filmography. Deadline reports that Gondry heads to Universal to direct an untitled coming-of-age musical set in 1977 Virginia Beach. The project is the brainchild of Pharrell Williams, inspired by the music producer’s childhood living in the the city’s Atlantis Apartments.
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Does that sound like a typical Michel Gondry joint? Not at all, which makes this movie an especially interesting choice for the French auteur. And the movie’s two potential leads make it even more so. “Waves” actor Kelvin Harrison Jr. is already on board as the film’s lead, but recent Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph is also in talks to star. “Toy Story 4” writer Martin Hynes and “Tick, Tick…Boom!” scribe Steven Levenson co-pen the script, with Williams and Mimi Valdés producing through i am OTHER. Gil Netter also produces through Gil Netter Productions.
While Gondry doesn’t have any experience doing musicals, Harrison Jr. does, having starred in Joe Wright‘s 2021 film “Cyrano.” Other recent roles from the actor include “Genius: MLK/X,” Baz Luhrmann‘s “Elvis,” where he played B.B. King, and “Chevalier,” another music-based film. Beyond that, Harrison Jr. also stars in “The Trial Of The Chicago 7,” “Mudbound,” and the MGM+ series “Godfather Of Harlem.” The actor’s other upcoming projects include two more musicals: Barry Jenkins‘ much-anticipated “Mufasa: The Lion King” and Searchlight‘s rock opera “O’Dessa.”
As for Randolph, she’s fresh off “The Holdovers,” which saw her win Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards earlier this month. Other recent work for the actress includes the Netflix biopic “Rustin,” “Dolemite Is My Name,” and “The Lost City.” She also has a recurring role on the hit Hulu series “Only Murders In The Building.” Up next for the newly minted Oscar winner? “Shadow Force,” an action thriller, and the action comedy “Bride Hard,” both in post-production now.
As noted earlier, Gondry hasn’t made a film in Hollywood in over a decade, instead opting for small-budget projects funded in his native France since then. And it had been eight years since 2015’s “Microbe & Gasoline” before Gondry premiered “The Book Of Solutions” at the Cannes Film Festival last year. So, in other words, it’s curious that he signs on to this musical in particular as his American filmmaking comeback. But Gondry’s dreamy, whimsical visual style could be the right one to bring this period musical to life, especially if that’s the vibe Williams wants for the picture
In any case, color us intrigued about the combination of talent here. And let’s face it: more Michel Gondry movies is only a good thing.