Sam Mendes to Helm Comedy for Focus
January 24, 2008

Academy Award-winning director Sam Mendes (American Beauty) will next direct an untitled contemporary comedy. The film is being produced and co-financed by Big Beach, with Focus Features co-financing and distributing worldwide. Production will begin in the spring.

Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida, the acclaimed novelists/editors who are also husband and wife, have written the original screenplay. Academy Award-winning producer Ed Saxon (The Silence of the Lambs) will produce the film, through his Edward Saxon Productions, with Academy Award-nominated producers Marc Turtletaub and Peter Saraf (Little Miss Sunshine) of Big Beach.

The untitled movie follows the journey of an expectant couple, as they travel the U.S. in search of a place to put down roots and raise a family.

Focus CEO James Schamus said, "The many admirers of Dave and Vendela’s writing can look forward to an edgy, breathtakingly funny, and movingly scripted film worthy of a master like Sam Mendes. We’re thrilled that these three gifted collaborators will have the support of some of the most accomplished producers in the business."

Mr. Turtletaub said, "Peter and I have long wanted to work with Sam. The opportunity to make it happen with this wonderful material from Dave and Vendela, and distribution by Focus Features, feels a bit like a perfect storm."

In addition to American Beauty, which also won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Cinematography, Mr. Mendes has directed Road to Perdition and Jarhead. He is currently in post-production on his latest film as director, Revolutionary Road, which stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.

Mr. Eggers, founder of the independent book-publishing house McSweeney’s, has written such novels as What is the What and A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius. Ms. Vida, co-founder and editor of the monthly The Believer, has written such novels as Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name and And Now You Can Go.

Founded by Mr. Saraf, Mr. Turtletaub, and Jeb Brody, Big Beach has produced such acclaimed films as Everything is Illuminated, Sherrybaby, and Chop Shop. Its production of Little Miss Sunshine won Oscars for Best Supporting Actor and Best Original Screenplay. Big Beach is currently in post-production on Is Anybody There?, starring Michael Caine; and is presenting the world premiere of Sunshine Cleaning, starring Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, and Alan Arkin this month at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.

In addition to The Silence of the Lambs, which also won Oscars for Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay, Mr. Saxon’s Academy Award-winning films as producer include Jonathan Demme’s Philadelphia and Spike Jonze’s Adaptation. His credits as executive producer include Victor Nunez’ Ulee’s Gold.

(Source: Focus.)