Michael Winterbottom In Talks For Russ & Roger Go Beyond

He may direct the story of Meyer and Ebert's filmic adventures

He’s more usually found developing his own projects, but The Trip’s Michael Winterbottom is being tempted by the infamous tale of another filmmaker. He’s in talks to direct Russ & Roger Go Beyond.

Will Ferrell is attached to the film, written by Saturday Night Live and Simpsons veteran Christopher Cluess, which focuses on Russ Meyer's (Ferrell) late 1960s desire to combine his pulp talents with big studio backing, hashing out a deal with 20th Century Fox boss Richard Zanuck to produce something for a low budget.

Targeting soft-core tale Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls, Meyer approached Roger Ebert, then a low-on-the-roster film critic for the Chicago Sun Times, who had written one of the few positive reviews of a Meyer film. Despite the seeming gulf between their sensibilities, they meshed well, producing a film that struggled with the ratings board (eventually landing an X) and sparking a friendship that would last until Meyer died in 2004.

STX Entertainment is backing this one, and if he does take the job, Winterbottom will start shooting later this year. His most recent film, The Face Of An Angel, arrived in UK cinemas last month.

Source Empire News http://ift.tt/1JrXEi9