It was revealed today that Larry Charles (Borat, The Dictator, TV's Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm) will write a reimagined version of the cult Australian hit The Man Who Sued God for New Films International (NFI) with an eye toward directing.
NFI founder and President Nesim Hason and Mace Neufeld (The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games, Sony's upcoming The Equalizer with Denzel Washington) are producing the new project with Sixth Sense Productions principals Richard Harding and Sam Feuer (The First Grader).
Charles' take on The Man Who Sued God is expected to veer from the original premise, which involves a former lawyer who had found happiness with a simpler life and career - until a natural disaster strikes and he is denied insurance money because it was 'an act of God'. He re-registers as a lawyer and sues the insurance company and the church under the guise of God, defending himself.
The Man Who Sued God is the second project to come through NFI's multi-picture development deal with Mace Neufeld. They are also teaming to produce the $ 60+ million WWII action thriller The Pursuit.
Here's what New Films International founder Nesim Hason had to say about the project in a statement.
"When it comes to broad commercial comedy that taps into the pulse of society,
Larry Charles is the undisputed king. There is no one I would rather have at the helm of this project than
Larry and to make the film alongside
Mace, under our newly formed partnership, makes it all the more special for us. We can't wait to get started. No one can say
Mace and I aren't diversified. Following up on our WWII action thriller with a
Larry Charles comedy is something nobody probably say coming, but we're so excited to be in the position we are in right now."
NFI surprised Cannes buyers earlier today with a sneak peek at ten minutes of footage from James Franco's recently wrapped feature The Sound and the Fury, which Franco directed and stars in with Seth Rogen, Danny McBride and Tim Blake Nelson. The film is an adaptation of William Faulkner's classic novel The Sound and the Fury.
One of the more subversive figures in late 20th century and early 21st century comedy, Larry Charles was a former stand-up who brought a sense of enlightened anarchy to such groundbreaking series as Seinfeld (NBC, 1989-1998) and Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO, 2000-2011) as well as to big screen hits like Borat, Bruno, Religulous and The Dictator. A provocateur whose skill at intelligent, absurdist humor was matched - or countered - by his penchant for over-the-top gags, Charles' creations have amassed a huge fan base that has elevated him to the forefront of the comedy scene where he has invariably made headlines and furthered his status as one of the industry's most creative figures.
The Man Who Sued God was released January 17th, 2002 and stars Billy Connolly, Judy Davis, Colin Friels, Wendy Hughes, Bille Brown, John Howard, Emily Browning, Blair Venn. The film is directed by Mark Joffe.
