Chris Rock Set To Direct Third Feature Film
Chris Rock has teamed with producer Scott Rudin for a third trip to the director’s chair, Deadline reported on Tuesday.
The untitled feature film project would also be written by Rock. While little is known about plot details, it was described as an “edgy showbiz-themed comedy with romance” by Deadline.
Rock’s first efforts — Head of State and I Think I Love My Wife — were marginal successes.
Head of State, released in 2003, was Rock’s first outing. Working on a budget of around $35 million, the film grossed $38.1 million, according to Box Office Mojo.
Rock came to prominence in the early 1990s as a cast member of Saturday Night Live. He left SNL in 1993 and pursued a successful acting and stand-up career, but by the time his directorial debut arrived, the heat once surrounding him had begun to cool.
By the time I Think I Love My Wife arrived four years later, he appeared more comfortable with smaller films and roles. The follow-up seemed a more personal effort and managed to eke out a profit with $13.1 million gross on an $11 million budget.
Deadline noted that Rock could be getting comfortable with “evolving into a nice little groove where he makes personal films he writes, directs and stars in, a la Woody Allen and Albert Brooks.”
Rock has also continued to show an interest in stand-up, recently appearing with Dave Chappelle at New York’s Comedy Cellar.
According to ABC News, the duo appeared on stage together and half-joked about a comedy tour. During a set where Chappelle and Rock placed calls to Jay-Z and Arsenio Hall on stage, Chappelle joked that the show could be “fireside chats with Chris Rock.”
“I’m in,” Rock said.
When later asked about the possibility of a team-up, Chappelle’s rep responded, “I can’t even say.”
As for Rock’s next film, Scott Rudin will serve as producer. It’s not known whether this will happen before or after the producer’s planned remake of the TV show Good Times. Either way, fans would probably like to see Rock in both projects.
Is Chris Rock a good fit as film director? Will you be checking out his next effort?
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