After they took on cancer to hilarious, heartbreaking results in 50/50, director Jonathan Levine and actors Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are set to reteam for a currently untitled Christmas comedy housed over at Sony. News about the film has been nonexistent since February, when Rogen and Gordon-Levitt were confirmed. Now, however, it’s been revealed that Anthony Mackie has joined the cast, presumably as the third friend.
Both written and directed by Levine, the comedy centers on three childhood friends who reunite in the Big Apple for a Christmas Eve of chaotic revelry they promised to undertake years before. Nothing else has really been confirmed about the film’s plot, but given that it will mark the reunion of Levine, Rogen and Gordon-Levitt, I’m expecting something similar in spirit to 50/50, which delivered raunchy comedy with a huge, beating heart. Though the basic plot makes it sound like a typical bromantic comedy, the talent involved gives me confidence that this film will emerge as something a little more complicated and enjoyable.
Mackie, known for his roles as superhero Falcon in last month’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier and as Sergeant Sanborn in Best Picture winner The Hurt Locker, has proven himself to be an extraordinarily versatile actor, leaping between serious fare and lightweight comedies with ease. His resume includes films as diverse as 8 Mile, Million Dollar Baby, The Adjustment Bureau, What’s Your Number? and that pinnacle of modern filmmaking, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. He’ll next take on supporting roles in romantic comedy A Many Splintered Thing, relationship drama Shelter, and John Hillcoat’s crime drama Triple Nine, but this Christmas comedy will mark his first lead role since last year’s Pain & Gain.
Sony is angling to shoot the Christmas comedy this summer, for a probable release either late in the holiday season this year or early next year.
