Oscar Winner Melissa Leo Teams With Oscar Nominee Jesse Eisenberg For 'Predisposed'

by Kevin Jagernauth
March 1, 2011 2:13 AM
3 Comments

Tracy Morgan Also Linked To Role

Talk about striking while the iron is hot. Vulture reports that Oscar winner Melissa Leo -- whose f-bomb was one of the highlights of the otherwise sluggish Oscars last night -- and permanently awkward Oscar nominee Jesse Eisenberg are apparently set to team for the indie comedy "Predisposed."

Co-written by Philip Dorling and Ron Nyswaner ("Philadelphia," "The Painted Veil") the film -- a feature length version of their short by the same name that also starred Leo and was directed by Dowling -- tells of the relationship between a drug addicted Mom (Leo) and her college-age son (Eisenberg) with the story taking place on the same day in which she's headed to rehab, and he's preparing for an interview at Juilliard. Since Mom doesn't have health insurance, she'll need to show up at rehab intoxicated and her plans are further complicated as she also has to handle an argument that arises with her dealer Sprinkles (which is apparently going to be played by "30 Rock" star Tracy Morgan). Still to be cast is Sprinkles' drug-dealing rival.

So basically Micky Ward's Mom is gonna be Mark Zukerberg's Dad while Tracy Jordan slings drugs. Sounds like a very tricky tone to balance -- and there seems to be a lot going on plotwise -- but with these two solid thesps leading the way, we have hopes that they can manage the material. Nyswaner will make his directorial debut with the picture that is gearing up to shoot this summer once "30 Rock" wraps for the season.

We really like the pairing of Leo and Eisenberg mostly because in person, they seem like polar opposite personalities and it should be fun to watch them play off each other on screen. Let's just hope the first time helmer can wrangle in what sounds like a very wacky screenplay.

More: Films, Actors, Actresses, Predisposed, Jesse Eisenberg, Melissa Leo

3 Comments

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Tanya | March 1, 2011 11:24 AMReply

Will it be the same as the short? I wonder if Christy Lee Hughes will be playing the role of Janice again
Jenny | March 1, 2011 10:59 AMReply

Oh man, the combo itself sound hilarious. Def. in for this movie.
lily | March 1, 2011 3:52 AMReply

Weird combo but looking forward to this. Could this be Leo's Best Leading Actress win? Consider...!