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Ben Stiller in Talks to Direct Chicago

October 23, 2008

The Hollywood Reporter says that Ben Stiller is in early talks to direct The Trial of the Chicago 7, the DreamWorks project about the 1968 riots at the Democratic convention and their aftermath.

A "Chicago" gig would mark a departure for Stiller, who has directed such successful comedies as Tropic Thunder and Zoolander, but has not helmed a serious political picture of this kind before.

Stiller follows several other notables who have been associated with directing the Amblin-MacDonald/Parkes project, including Paul Greengrass, who was a candidate during the summer, and even Steven Spielberg, who at one time was considering helming the picture.

Under terms of the DreamWorks/Paramount separation agreement, DreamWorks has taken over development of the project. The company wants to put the film into production quickly.

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COMMENTS (27)

Posted by:

tktrysharder

October 23, 2008

i dunno it seems like he might be able to pull it off. Could be interesting

Posted by:

Zephyr

October 23, 2008

...Huh. Just...huh.

I can't bash the guy for expanding his scope.

Posted by:

max_jaybo

October 23, 2008

as long as it keeps him from doing something like Starky and Hutch 2, I wouldn't mind.

Posted by:

Rosebud

October 23, 2008

First! I don't know about this, but I'll give Ben a chance.

Posted by:

PUGGDOGG

October 23, 2008

Sounds interesting. I like Stiller but I was hoping Spielberg would do it.

Posted by:

Awesome

October 23, 2008

Stiller can do really great work in serious movies when it comes down to it. Rent Permanent Midnight.

Posted by:

Farzan

October 23, 2008

This isnt the type of film he has done in the past, but I give him props for reaching out to more different types of films. Im not sure how it will turn out, but I think he could probably pull it off

Posted by:

Stephen S.

October 23, 2008

The only movie that Stiller has directed that I liked was The Cable Guy. The other two movies I'm not a fan of even though they are more popular.

But this is definitely an interesting choice on his part.

Posted by:

tktrysharder

October 23, 2008

thats true, its may be slightly overlooked now by some people but oh well it still has good potential

Posted by:

michael keaton overdrive

October 23, 2008

Stiller's an alright director. Besides, he's no stranger to drama. I actually liked "Perminant Midnight". Give that silly bastard a chance at gettin' an Oscar nod, eh?