So with the Hellboy reboot happening sans director Guillermo Del Toro and previous star Ron Perlman, the actor has traded in playing an angry, red half-demon for a lighter role in a comedy opposite Silicon Valley star Martin Starr, who’ll likely be hoping for a similar breakout comedy role and film to his TV co-star Kumail Nanjiani‘s The Big Sick.
The duo have signed on for the comedy The Escape Of Prisoner 614, which is being described as in the vein of the Coen Brothers. Read the synopsis and judge for yourself:
“Set in the 1960s and influenced equally by offbeat Coen Brothers comedies and classic John Ford westerns, The Escape of Prisoner 614 follows Deputy Jim (Starr) and Deputy Thurman (Jake McDorman), two well-intentioned but bumbling Sheriff’s Deputies who after being fired by their overbearing Sheriff (Perlman), decide to go after an escaped prisoner (George Sample III) in hopes of getting back their jobs.
But when they realise that the supposed murderer they have hunted down is an innocent victim of a racist judicial system, they face a moral dilemma – return the prisoner and be hailed as heroes, or act on their principles in pursuit of true justice”.
Ok, that does sound Coen-esque but it’s going to take a lot more than a plot synopsis promising an intertwining of black comedy and serious moral grey areas for a film to match the expertly paced films of the Coens.
However the film does sound like it has plenty of potential and already has a solid cast in place. The film was written by, and will be the directorial debut of, Zach Golden, who stated:
“I’m thrilled to start production with this amazingly talented group of actors anchoring our cast. Martin and Jake both bring natural comedic gifts and serious dramatic chops to the film, and George just exudes the charm and empathy needed for our title character. Ron’s the ultimate badass, intimidating tough guy, so he was of course the first guy I thought of for our Sheriff”.
Perlman went on to briefly add his reasons for loving the script: “I fell in love with this project the moment I read Zach’s script. It’s smart and funny, but it also explores weighty issues regarding race and criminal justice that could not be more timely”.
Production is due to start imminently, and hopefully the film can capitalise on an intriguing premise. We’ll keep you updated when a release date becomes known.
#Peace.Love.TheEscapeOfPrisoner614
