Ben Stiller In Talks To Direct Chicago 7 Latest director to meet with Dreamworks Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Now here’s a surprise – Ben Stiller, of all people, is the latest director to enter talks with Dreamworks about directing Trial Of The Chicago 7, the movie about riots at the 1968 Democratic convention and the aftermath.
We say ‘surprise’ because Stiller, of course, is primarily known as a comedic director, and this is heavyweight dramatic material – enough to have attracted the interest of, initially, Steven Spielberg and then, last summer, Paul Greengrass.
But, with the success of Tropic Thunder re-establishing him as a director to watch, Stiller is clearly seeking to branch out and show that he has more strings to his bow.
The talks with Dreamworks are very much at an early stage, but the Aaron Sorkin-penned Trial Of The Chicago 7 is on a shortlist of films that Dreamworks inherited from the breakaway from Paramount and wishes to get into production as quickly as possible. So we’d expect a firm ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on this one asap.
What do you think, readers – is Stiller capable of making a hard-hitting political picture? Or should he stay in his wheelhouse? As ever, use the space below to let us know your thoughts.
L: Manfrendshensindshen
No offence, Ben, but you against Spielberg or Greengrass? To quote Austrian fashion icon Bruno: ich don't think so! To put it into a logical context: I prefer Stiller to some random by-the-numbers hack, but both the beardy and the long-haired one have proven themselves to by exceptionally worthy of what is probably a great script by the great Mr. Sorkin.
pielberg's been off the project for a while, and I think Greengrass was on the project even before Spielber... Read More
Ben Stiller and Aaron Sorkin?? I take it no-one trusts Rob Reiner anymore, not now after that Bucket list fiasco?? I suppose Stiller could do it, Tropic Thunder was well done, but he's still one of the last names you'd ever expect to be announced! ... Read More
Many comedic talents have done great drama both in front and behind the camera - Jim Carrey, Woody Allen, Dan Akroyd, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, Michael Palin (mixed bag there but all have done at least one good drama) ... Read More
Or has everyone forgotten Reality Bites? Just give him a chance. And if he fucks it up, then hey, he'll get back to making (most of us) laugh. ... Read More
...It felt a little too choppy or patchy to really demonstrate that Stiller is up to snuff on tackling something serious. Still, if it happens, I hope to be proven blissfully wrong. ... Read More
I totally admire Ben Stiller's work, wether as actor, producer or director. But since most of his pics in the past were quite unconventionally hilarious and sometimes "over the top", I really wonder wether he is able to helm such a dramatically anticipated movie.
Nevertheless I cross all my fingers in case he gets the job, so that the movie becomes the movie it has to become. ... Read More
I'm all for letting him do something serious, but since it's the great Mr Sorkin who wrote it, i want it done well so he can't do this one. It shouldn't be an experiment, he can do that with another script by some unknown writer.
Oh and i'm 20 and British and i wanna see this film. ... Read More
