Justin Theroux (Mulholland Drive) is an oddball indie actor with prime comic timing. He's also pretty easy on the eyes. In his next project, he won't be front-and-center to admire and he certainly won't be doing tricks in front of the camera.
As many actors do, Theroux is giving directing a shot. He is uber-talented and just might be able to pull it off (I'm rooting for ya, Justin!) According to Variety, he will make his directorial debut in a romantic comedy called Dedication. He helped to develop the script with writer David Bromberg.
The cast is a random assortment including Billy Crudup, Mandy Moore, Harvey Keitel, Mia Farrow, and Bob Balaban. No, I'm not sure how Mandy snuck in there, but I guess her guest spot on "Entourage" didn't hurt. The plot is about a misogynistic children's book writer (Crudup) who's writing partner and only friend (Keitel) kicks the bucket. This untimely tragedy forces him to work with a young female illustrator (Moore) and her bossy mom (Farrow). Balaban will play the book's publisher.
Keitel isn't likely to drop his drawers in this film, or at least we can keep our fingers crossed that he won't. What confuses me is the 'romantic comedy' aspect of the plot. Does that mean we should brace ourselves to watch Crudup and Moore make out? Suddenly a naked Keitel doesn't seem as frightening.
Production is scheduled for early next year in Manhattan.
