Nov 20 2009 Dustin Hoffman Possibly Escaped the Focker Sequel Hole
Has Dustin Hoffman resisted the endless Focker sequel allure that has attracted such talent as Robert De Niro and Harvey Keitel? Perhaps!
Sources tell EW.com that there has been strife between Hoffman and the studio over the size of the part, the scheduling of the days on set and other difficulties. Hoffman had tentatively agreed to appear in what was to be a very funny cameo at the end of the film. That seems to have now fallen apart, due to either salary issues or scheduling problems, or both.
I'll feel marginally better about the once-great actor's career until a week from now when I'm writing about how he's doing Tootsie 2: Re-Dressed.
Nov 12 2009 Another Once-Great Actor Lost to Fockers Franchise
First De Niro, then Hoffman, now Keitel:
Harvey Keitel has joined the cast of Universal and Tribeca Prods.' "Meet the Fockers" sequel.Regulars Ben Stiller, Teri Polo, Robert De Niro, Blythe Danner and Owen Wilson are returning, along with newcomers Jessica Alba and Laura Dern.
Paul Weitz ("In Good Company") is directing the film, which has the working title of "Little Fockers," since it focuses on the main couple's children. Keitel will play a contractor employed by Stiller's character.
Truly there is no greater tribute to any of the 70s' greatest actors than one day giving them each the chance to act incredulous that Ben Stiller's last name sounds so much like "fucker."
Sep 30 2009 Jessica Alba's Next Part Will Be Attractive Human
Despite fears she could be typecasting herself, Jessica Alba has decided to embrace her attractive looks and play an attractive pharmaceutical representative in the final chapter of the Fockers trilogy. From THR:
The actress is in negotiations to join the Ben Stiller-Robert DeNiro comedy "Little Fockers." She'd play the role of an attractive pharmaceutical rep whose looks wreak havoc on male characters in the story.Paul Weitz is directing the third installment in the Universal and Tribeca Productions franchise. Production is set to begin in the next few months, with a 2010 release date more than likely.
The picture is expect to pick up where 2004's "Meet the Fockers" left off, with Stiller's Gaylord Focker and Teri Polo's Pamela Byrnes having a child (or children -- reports abound that they could be having twins).
How are they going to concentrate on her pharmaceutical pitches when her looks are so attractive??? This is going to wreak havoc on Ben Stiller and Robet DeNiro! Boners! What if they get boners???
Feb 19 2009 Last Chapter of Focker Trilogy Finally in Development
You'd think that after meeting your wife's parents and then introducing them to your parents, most of your family-related comic mishaps would be over. Not the case (if you're Ben Stiller)! If you're Ben Stiller, and your father-in-law is Robert De Niro, you'll never escape from a living hell of pratfalls and nervous family interactions. You might as well kill yourself. But first have kids, because that will make for a great movie where De Niro can accuse you of milking your children:
It looks like "Little Fockers" is finally coming of age.The long-gestating third installment of the comedy franchise is maturing quickly at Universal — but with new parents.
John Hamburg has been brought on to write the screenplay after Larry Stuckey penned an earlier draft.
Meanwhile, Jay Roach, who of course directed the first two films and had been loosely attached to direct this one, will not helm the picture. The hyphenate is concentrating on the comic romp “Dinner for Schmucks” for DreamWorks and Parkes/Bowles and only will produce “Fockers.”
Among the candidates said to be in the running are comedy veteran Paul Weitz, who wrote and directed “In Good Company” and co-wrote and co-directed “About a Boy”; the quirky-comedy figure David Wain, writer-director of cult pic “Wet Hot American Summer” and Universal’s male-buddy hit “Role Models”; and Peyton Reed, who directed the current Jim Carrey starrer “Yes Man.”
On the casting side, Stiller, Robert De Niro and Owen Wilson — the last of whom had unrelated small parts in the first two pics as an ex-fiance and a minister, respectively, but could have an expanded role here — are in negotiations to star in “Fockers.”
I could always tell we'd need a trilogy to tell the entire Focker arc. Such a rich narrative. At the end of Meet the Fockers, you just get the sense that Ben Stiller needs one more film where he'll finally fully rise above all the family strife, then slip and fall into a pile of dirty diapers. Classic three-act structure.
