Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab.
Well, leave it to Michael Fleming to break the story. I've had my fingers crossed for weeks now that this would be the way things worked out, and it looks like Sam Rockwell (GALAXY QUEST, CHARLIE'S ANGELS, THE GREEN MILE) is going to play Chuck Barris in George Clooney's CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND.
My understanding is that it came down to three serious contenders, and two of them did screen tests: Ben Stiller and Sam Rockwell. I know Clooney really wanted Rockwell, but the studio was concerned about Rockwell's ability to carry a film. I would love to see the screen test that got Rockwell the job. I hope he is amazing in the role. He's been doing great character work for a while now in film, and he deserves a lead role with a script like this. And I hope Clooney proves as adventurous in his taste as a director as he has become in his taste as an actor. He's certainly been learning from some of the best in the business with his last few films.
Rockwell joins the previously announced Nicole Kidman in the film, and Clooney will be playing a supporting role in his directorial debut as the CIA guy who recruits GONG SHOW host Chuck Barris for his life as a hired killer. I love this Charlie Kaufman script, and I'm delighted it's finally going to end up in front of a camera.
"Moriarty" out.
