The Silence Of The Lambs director Jonathan Demme has helmed a number of different documentaries and TV shows over the last little while, but believe it or not, he hasn’t made a feature film in six years. Of course, that’s not for lack of trying. He’s attached himself to various projects here and there, but nothing substantial seemed to have come out of any of them. At least, until now.
According to THR, Demme has been developing a project titled Come Sunday with producers Ira Glass and Alissa Ship. The film will tell the true story of Oklahoman evangelical minister Carlton Pearson, who made controversy over his revelation that there is no hell. The ensuing outcry resulted in Pearson losing everything he owned and leaving his job to rediscover his personal faith while rebuilding his church and family.
The most interesting part about this project though is the casting, as THR tells us that Jeffrey Wright is in talks to take on the role of Pearson and Robert Redford is wanted to play Oral Roberts, a pioneer of TV evangelism who served as Pearson’s mentor.
The thought of Hollywood legend Robert Redford playing such a larger-than-life figure is very intriguing, I must say. The actor hasn’t been the most prolific Hollywood star since he created the Sundance Film Festival, but he’s been experiencing quite the comeback as of late. His performance in last year’s All Is Lost was critically acclaimed and many people were surprised when he was not subsequently nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars. Redford also showed up this April in the Marvel universe when he played Alexander Pierce in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, giving us one of his most high-profile roles in years.
With Come Sunday not set to begin production until next spring, it seems that Redford has plenty of time to decide if he wants to sign on. As for Jeffrey Wright, considering he’s worked with Demme before, on 2004’s The Manchurian Candidate, I can’t imagine why he’d turn down a chance at a second collaboration.
If all goes as planned, Demme would likely shoot another one of his developing projects, Ricki and the Flash, first. That film is penned by Diablo Cody and has Meryl Streep attached. Once that’s wrapped, he’ll move forward with Come Sunday.
