At this year’s Cannes Film Festival, filmmaker Michel Gondry debuted his first feature film since 2015’s “Microbe & Gasoline,” titled “The Book of Solutions.” So far, the film has earned rave reviews (including our own) and looks to be one of Gondry’s most vital films in quite some time. But according to the filmmaker, “The Book of Solutions” was going to look (and sound) very different when it was initially conceived.
Speaking to the French outlet Konbini, Michel Gondry and star Pierre Niney talked about “The Book of Solutions” while at Cannes. And when he was asked about the film’s origins, Gondry explained that his original intention was to make the film in English, and he even had a star in mind to lead the cast if it was an American production.
“I wrote it in English first, I wanted to shoot it in English, and it didn’t work out,” said Gondry. “Eventually, we thought, ‘We’ll make it in French,’ which pleased me more because it was closer from reality, and then I asked Pierre.”
Niney then jokingly added that he was third in line behind Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio. However, Gondry then replied that it was actually Adam Driver, who he had in mind for the new film. “The Book of Solutions” is a film about a director who finds himself in a rut after massive issues in his personal and professional life. That’s when he brings his film crew to a small village where his Aunt lives. While there, he discovers the creative spark once again.
Judging by the finished product, you can see how it would have easily been adapted as an American production. In fact, you could argue that Niney and Driver actually share physical similarities. Obviously, even without Driver, Gondry was able to create the film, and it would appear that early signs point to it being a success. Maybe a collaboration down the road one day?
But it’s been more than a decade since Gondry made an English-language film. Several years ago, he was heavily involved in the creation and direction of the Showtime series, “Kidding,” starring Jim Carrey; however, it was canceled after two seasons.
“The Book of Solutions” doesn’t yet have a release date outside of Cannes.