Wedding Crashers director David Dobkin has signed on to direct the comedy Eurovision at Netflix. Will Ferrell will star in the film, which revolves around the Eurovision song contest. The competition is entering its 64th edition this year, with performers from over 41 countries participating.
Although the competition is very popular, and has spawned stars such as ABBA (winners in 1974 for Sweden) and Celine Dion (who won in 1988 for Switzerland), it’s also had its fair share of flubs, and should be ripe for parody
Ferrell will also co-write the script alongside Andrew Steele. Dobkin and Ferrell briefly worked together on Wedding Crashers, where the comedian had a cameo role. Dobkin’s last film was the 2014 Robert Downey Jr-led drama, The Judge. He’s also worked with Netflix before, having directed several episodes of various shows on the platform, including Iron Fist and Friends From College.
Eurovision is an interesting subject to tackle from an American perspective. It’s very popular around the world but it’s unclear how well known it is in the States. This may be a benefit, and should allow Ferrell and co. to take the premise wherever they want.
Ferrell needs a hit, and although Netflix won’t give him a tangible box office number, over the past year we’ve seen how a Netflix film can immediately enter the pop culture conversation, with comedies such as Set It Up and To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before quickly becoming hits in a different sense. Ferrell will be hoping for the same kind of success with Eurovision.
#Peace.Love.Eurovision
