It might be improbable that David O. Russell has become one of the most sought-after directors in town, considering his fiery reputation, but that’s the way things seem to be going: he’s gearing up to direct the comedy “Old St. Louis,” with Vince Vaughn, and attached himself over the weekend to the actioner “Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune,” based on a video game. Of course, this leaves a slew of orphaned projects on his slate, with the likes of “The Grackle” and “Pride & Prejudice & Zombies” in search of new helmers. One of these projects, the teen rom-com “Aaron & Sarah” has a new helmer, and it’s a somewhat unexpected one. Doogie Howser M.D.
Yes, Neil Patrick Harris, who made his name as the precocious doctor on the 1980s TV show, has signed on to make his feature directorial debut on the project, which is now set up at independent Single Cell Pictures (the company co-founded by R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe, and behind such films as, “Being John Malkovich” and “Saved!”).
Harris has had one of the more glorious comebacks of recent years — having disappeared for some time, he started to make his name on Broadway with performances in the likes of “Cabaret,” before his cameo in the “Harold & Kumar” films and his role on the hit sitcom “How I Met Your Mother” (for which he directed an episode) rejuvenated his career. While there was a point where his omnipresence became a little irritating (he’s 75% of the way to a hosting E.G.O.T, having presented both the Emmys and the Tonys, and opening the Academy Awards this year), we are admirers of the actor, particularly as he’s an openly gay star who’s managed to make his sexuality irrelevant to his career. Ron Howard, are you listening?
Harris has already set two actors for the leads in the script — which focuses on a geeky guy and a popular girl who become best friends in high school — and they’re two of the fastest rising young stars around. Josh Hutcherson, best known at this point for “The Kids Are All Right,” and for being one of the finalists for “Spider-Man,” and Emma Roberts, who’s currently filming the lead role in “Scream 4,” will play the titular characters.
The script, from writers Chad Gomez Creasey and Dara Resnik Creasey (“Pushing Daisies”), has been doing the rounds for years, and it’s a pretty decent, if undemanding, teen romance. Russell’s interest in the project was a little puzzling — we can only imagine he was circling it out of a desire to make teenage actors cry — and Harris seems like a better fit, particularly with two strong actors in the leads. There’s no firm word on when filming will begin, but we imagine it’ll be in the late spring, during Harris’ hiatus on “How I Met Your Mother.” [Risky Business]
