Neon has secured the rights to the Duke Johnson and Ryan Gosling film The Actor for around seven figures, according to Deadline. The film will be written and directed by Johnson who previously garnered critical success for his film Anomalisa. The writer of that film, Charlie Kaufman, is onboard as an executive producer.
The film revolves around actor Paul Cole (Gosling) stuck in middle-America with some memory loss. The actor must find his way back to New York as well as his life.
The Actor does not seem as strange or intriguing as Johnson and Kaufman’s previously collaboration, but the fact that Neon spent a lot of money on this one proves that there is certainly something more to this film than just the log line.
In addition to the Oscar Nominated Anomalisa, Johnson has largely directed stop motion claymation TV Series and films. Including a couple episodes of Community that involved claymation. There is no report either way if this film will also follow his resume up to this point.
Gosling on the other hand is one of the most sought out and prolific actors working in the industry. He is in various stages of production in three additional projects, after taking time off the last couple years. Gosling will be a producer on this film.
This seems like a good marriage between Neon, who produced Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite last year, and Johnson and Gosling, artists that typically make great art.
The Actor is currently in pre-production and can be expected in the next year or so.
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