According to Deadline, Kate Beckinsale (Underworld), John Malkovich (Eve), Jason Sudeikis (Booksmart), Jillian Bell (SNL) and Emmy winner Edie Falco are in the process of finalizing their deals to join Charlie Day‘s directorial debut El Tonto. Day is also set to be the film’s lead character.
El Tonto follows the story of an idiot mute (Day) who, after getting off a bus in Los Angeles, rises through the ranks to become a beloved Hollywood celebrity, only to lose it all. Beckinsale would be playing the role of a Hollywood starlet with Sudeikis portraying a film director who Day’s character meets.
Armory Films’ Christopher Lemole and Tim Zajaros (Mudbound, Arctic) and Metalwork Pictures’ Andrew Levitas (Farming, The White Crow) will produce alongside Wrigley Pictures’ John Rickard (Rampage, Horrible Bosses) and Page Fifty-Four Pictures’ Alex Saks (The Florida Project, Wildlife). Armory Films and Metalwork Pictures will finance the feature. Endeavor Content will represent the worldwide distribution rights.
Day’s comedic talent in both film and television has garnered him a loyal following among critics and fans. He currently stars in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, one of the longest running and most successful comedies to date, for which he also serves as a writer and executive producer, returning for Season 13 on September 5. Day created the series with his co-producers Rob McElhenney and Glenn Howerton. Day is also a co-creator and executive producer of the new Fox comedy Cool Kids, debuting September 28, 2018, and will co-create a straight-to-series half hour-scripted comedy with Rob McElhenney, ordered by Apple. Other credits include: Pacific Rim; Pacific Rim: Uprising; Horrible Bosses; Going the Distance; Monsters University; The Lego Movie; Vacation; The Hollars and Hotel Artemis.
El Tonto is scheduled to begin shooting this month in Los Angeles.
(Photo credit: Getty Images)
