It would seem that Matt Damon really wants to direct The Office star John Krasinski in his first directorial effort, but he's having an issue figuring out just which project to do with him. All the way back in June it was reported that Damon was setting up the Matthew Aldrich-scripted Father Daughter Time: A Tale Of Armed Robbery and Eskimo Kisses for the television actor, but now, according to THR and Variety, the pair will be working together on another movie entirely.
The reports says that Damon and Krasinski have co-written a drama that is now set up at Warner Bros. and will star both of them. Krasinski came up with the idea while working with author Dave Eggers. In addition to being directed by Damon, Krasinski will produce under his Sunday Night Productions label. The movie, which doesn't seem to have a title as of yet, the Bourne Trilogy star will play a salesman who enters a small town that is being poisoned. The THR report says that the film will be similar to Steven Soderbergh's Erin Brockovich. The project looks to begin filming in spring 2012.
While Damon is obviously one of the biggest stars in the world, I've always wondered why he hasn't written more. Since winning the Best Original Screenplay Oscar for Good Will Hunting, he's written only one other movie: Gerry, which was co-written by Casey Affleck and Gus Van Sant. The guy is the movie equivalent of a five-tool player in baseball, but has been hiding one of his skills for too long. Hopefully this project will capitalize on his talent.
