So far, the majority of news about the suddenly accelerated development of _a sequel to classic action comedy **Midnight Run_has been focused on the fact that Robert De Niro will return as bounty Hunter Jack Walsh. But now Charles Grodin says he’s heard the producers are contemplating a role for his nervy mafia accountant, Jonathan Mardukas.
Right now, it’s still just hearsay, though the “say” part comes from Grodin himself, who talked to Deadline’s Mike Fleming on the topic and mentioned that, “I’ve been led to believe by someone I won’t name that they will ask me and I will consider it.” So while that’s not enough for a casting announcement (all of the story info dug up on Tim Dowling’s script plans so far pointed to De Niro tracking down Mardukas’ son), it’s a healthy sign that the pair may share the screen again, even if it is in a more limited capacity.
He’s largely given up the acting game since the mid-90s, but now it would seem that Grodin is ready to start dipping his toes back into work. He appeared in 2006’s **The Ex **and has apparently also just been offered a role in the new Muppet movie spearheaded by Jason Segel. Though that one, it seems, didn’t quite meet with his needs. “I was in The Great Muppet Caper and I think they are bringing back those of us still alive for a reprise. Jim Henson was dear to me but I’m not flying 6000 miles to Los Angeles to work one day." Since he lives in Connecticut, he prefers to stay local, not to mention that he’s also active with several charity causes that take up his time, alongside working as a representative for TV broadcasters.
Still, the chance to see Grodin and De Niro back on screen strikes us as exciting, and would pull the film away from feeling like a reboot. Now they just need to make sure there’s a solid script and decent director in place. But what say you? Do you want Grodin and De Niro swapping snappy dialogue again?