Lead casting has been completed for Special Correspondents, a new original feature film developed for Netflix and written and directed by Ricky Gervais! The feature film will star Eric Bana (Deliver Us From Evil, Lone Survivor) opposite Gervais (Muppets Most Wanted, “Derek”) himself and will follow a struggling New York-based radio journalist, whose arrogance and decadent lifestyle has hindered his career. With his job on the line, he fakes front line war reports from the comfort of his hideout above a Spanish restaurant in Manhattan.
Joining Gervais and Bana in the modern satirical comedy will be Vera Farmiga, Kelly Macdonald, Kevin Pollak, America Ferrera, Raúl Castillo and Benjamin Bratt. Click on the above image of the cast for a larger version!
The film is a co-production between Bron Studios and Unanimous Entertainment. Ricky Gervais, Unanimous’ Chris Coen, Bron’s Aaron L. Gilbert, Manuel Munz and Larry Sanitsky will produce.
Farmiga, who can currently be seen in the critically acclaimed series “Bates Motel,” received an Academy Award nomination for best performance in her supporting role opposite George Clooney in Up in the Air. Macdonald, known to audiences from her role as Margaret Schroeder in HBO’s award-winning “Boardwalk Empire,” also starred as the voice of Merida in Brave. Pollak’s many co-starring roles include an award-winning turn in The Usual Suspects as well as Casino and the Grumpy Old Men films. Ferrera, best known for her titular role in the popular series “Ugly Betty,” also starred as the voice of Astrid in the How to Train Your Dragon films. Raúl Castillo co-starred in HBO’s “Looking” and the independent feature films Cold Weather and My Best Day. Bratt is known for his roles in such series as “Modern Family” and “24: Live Another Day,” as well as the voice of Manny in the Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs films.
Creator and star of “The Office,” “Extras,” and “Derek,” Gervais has won three Golden Globes, two primetime Emmys and seven BAFTAS. “The Office” is the most successful British comedy of all time, shown in more than 90 countries with seven remakes. Also an award winning stand-up comedian, Gervais has hosted the Golden Globes three times and has written, directed and acted in the films Cemetery Junction and The Invention of Lying.
Bana, finally, began his career as a comedian in the sketch comedy series “Full Frontal” before winning critical acclaim in the biographical crime film Chopper. Since then, Bana has starred in such films as Munich, Black Hawk Down, Hulk, The Time Traveler’s Wife, Hanna, and Star Trek. He has received Australia’s highest film and TV awards for his performances and will next be seen in director Jim Sheridan’s The Secret Scripture, Guy Ritchie’s Knights of the Round Table and The Finest Hours.
Principal photography began in Toronto on May 19 and will wrap in New York City on July 3. The film will debut on Netflix next year.
