Michael Keaton Joins Larry David & Jon Hamm In Greg Mottola's Improv Comedy

News

by Charlie Schmidlin
July 16, 2012 10:41 AM
5 Comments

Word on director Greg Mottola's improv-based film starring Larry David took a leap last month with the addition of Jon Hamm, continuing the “Mad Men” actor's gradual public journey from dramatic mainstay to eventual 20-time “SNL” host, but while Hamm is using the film to further his chops, another actor who began his career in the comedy genre looks to duck back into the fray.

In a recent interview with Grantland, Michael Keaton announced his involvement in the Fox Searchlight film, and commented on his relationship with Larry David from when they were younger. “It's funny. He was one of the first guys I met when we were both doing stand-up,” the actor said, referring to his short comedy club career before he snagged the TV show “All's Fair.” “He actually remembered the exact month we met standing in line outside of Catch A Rising Star. At the time, I was going back and forth [from Pittsburgh] to New York -- driving my '65 Volkswagen bug -- trying to be an actor, or to write, and I'd just started doing improv.” Many years passed, and now with an outline written by David, and further tweaked by screenwriters Alec Berg, Jeff Schaffer and David Mandel (“The Dictator”), it appears the two will work together once more.

Naturally, Keaton's experience on the stand-up circuit should serve him well in the as-yet-untitled film, as he squares off against David in the lead in addition to Hamm as the "villain." With Mottola behind the scenes as well, perhaps aiming to nail that mainstream, off-the-cuff atmosphere he missed with “Paul” (although the alien CG constraints didn't do him any favors), consider us thoroughly psyched for what's to come. The comparison point for the film has of course been a film version of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” but if casting continues to skew as inspired as these past choices have been, the end result should have an identity all its own.

News

More: Michael Keaton, Jon Hamm, Larry David, Greg Mottola

5 Comments

| Reply
Jan | July 24, 2012 4:41 PMReply

As a fellow native of Pittsburgh, glad to see news about Mr. Keaton. I also hope the recent buzz is true that he and Tim Burton are discussing a sequel to "Beetlejuice." I have always thought that Michael Keaton is a highly underrated actor as well as a comic genius (his timing, tone and inflection are unbelievable). Thanks for the post and the info, Mr. Schmidlin! Jan
Funkhouser | July 17, 2012 2:53 PMReply

Mr Schmidlin, do you know anything about a ninth season of Curb your Enthusiasm? Season 8 ended 10 months ago and no word on another season since then (season 8 was announced about 4 months after season 7 ended its run).

I'm a bit worried that Larry David might not do it. To me, Curb is quite possibly the best comedy series I've ever seen, and finding out now or in the future that episode 8.10 was actually the series finale would make me weep a lot.

Very excited about this film because of LD's involvement in it. And having Michael Keaton and Jon Hamm in it doesn't hurt at all.
Charlie | July 17, 2012 4:03 PM

Right now, it's looking to be the next Arrested Development if things continue the way they are. You've got a supporting cast eager to return (Richard Lewis said last month during a stand-up gig that he'd love to revive his character on the show), a former exec-producer/director, Robert Weide, who's expressed interest during the publicity run for his Woody Allen doc, and a network ready to put out more. It looks promising, but check back in a year and see if those involved are still waiting for the greenlight from Larry David.
jingmei | July 16, 2012 11:10 PMReply

I heart Mr. Michael Keaton.
bohmer | July 16, 2012 11:41 AMReply

Finally someone called Michael fucking Keaton! Can't wait to see this!