Jerry Lewis hasn't been in a live action feature film since 1995, but after a nearly two decade long hiatus he's finally ready to make his way back to the big screen. The veteran actor, who will turn 87 in March, has signed on for a starring role in Max Rose, a new indie drama from writer/director Daniel Noah.
Deadline says the film is about an elderly man named Max (Lewis) who discovers something shocking days before his wife's death that "causes Max to believe his marriage was a lie." Dealing with both his grief and confusion, he goes on a journey of self discovery that brings him back in contact with people from his past. Claire Bloom, Kevin Pollak, Kerry Bishe and Mort Sahl have all signed on for parts as well, but the source doesn't specify who they will be playing or what role they will serve in the story. The site notes that Sahl and Lewis last appeared together on Lewis' variety series in 1963. The film will be shooting in Los Angeles but no time frame is mentioned regarding either the production or the release date.
While Lewis hasn't been in theaters for years, he has been acting. In addition to appearances in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and The Simpsons, he also lent his voice to animated direct-to-video features The Nutty Professor and Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey! Deadline notes that the last time Lewis had a major role in a movie it was Martin Scorsese's 1983 movie The King of Comedy.
