Irish filmmaker John Carney, best known for this music-themed hits Once and Sing Street, is reportedly set to take on his biggest challenge yet, directing Will Ferrell and Josh Gad in Russ & Roger Go Beyond.
The film, based on the true story collaboration between noted American film critic Roger Ebert and the b-movie director Russ Meyer, who, to the great surprise of almost everyone in show business in the 1960s, joined forces to produce the cult classic Beyond the Valley of the Dolls. Ferrell will star as Meyer, while Gad will take on the role of America’s best-known film critic, Roger Ebert.
Against the backdrop of free love and the swinging 60s, the film tells the story of how the duo became lifelong friends after working together on the x-rated Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.
Working off a script by Emmy-winner Christopher Cluess, best known for work on The Simpsons and Saturday Night Live, Irish director John Carney is now believed to be on board with bringing the project to screen.
Carney’s Sing Street, met with much critical acclaim at the recent Sundance Film Festival, will open nationwide in Ireland on St Patrick’s Day.
