Writer/director J.C. Chandor has only made two feature films, but has already proven to have an amazing ability in attracting A-list stars to his work. In 2011 he brought the likes of Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Zachary Quinto, Stanley Tucci, and more together to star in the financial drama Margin Call, and last year he had Robert Redford star in the critically-acclaimed one man show that was All Is Lost. The filmmaker is already starting to get this third movie in front of cameras, the period drama A Most Violent Year, and today brings reports that he has lured yet another big name to the project.
Deadline is now reporting that with both Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain on-board, A Most Violent Year has cast Albert Brooks to play a supporting role. Based on an original screenplay by Chandor, the film is set in 1981 New York City, historically one of the most violent crime-filled years in the metropolis' history. The story follows an immigrant family as they try to start up their own heating oil business, but it turns out that this is a dangerous proposal, as their plans bring them face to face "with the crime element." While the casting report doesn't say how his character fits into the plot exactly, Brooks will reportedly be playing Iscaac's character's attorney.
Brooks has always been very particular about the feature film roles he has taken, as evidenced by the fact that he has only made seven movies since the turn of the century. His last film role had him playing Paul Rudd's father in Judd Apatow's underwhelming dramedy This Is 40, but he is now only a few years removed from his villainous turn in Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive, one of the best performances of his career:
Because of his selectivity, Brooks doesn't have many upcoming titles on his resume, but he will soon be heard reprising his role as Marlin in the upcoming Finding Nemo sequel Finding Dory.
A Most Violent Year has just begun production and has already secured a distribution deal with A24, though the film doesn't have an official release date just yet. Chandor is definitely a filmmaker who you are going to want to keep your eye on, and we'll have more about this film as it gets closer to release. In the meantime, get to know the director through his work with the trailers below:
