It has been 16 years since we last saw a new feature film directed by Warren Beatty, but it seems the wait is now over as Deadline reports he’s finally underway on his long-gestating Howard Hughes feature with production already underway.
The film won’t focus specifically on Hughes (to be played by Beatty), but instead center on Hughes’ assistant (perhaps Glenn Odekirk) to be played by Alden Ehrenreich (pictured) and his romance with a young woman (Lily Collins). Also starring are Beatty’s wife, Annette Bening, Matthew Broderick and word Jack Nicholson may even find a place among the cast.
The casting, as far as I’m concerned, is very interesting. Especially considering Ehrenreich, to me, is something of a cross between Leonardo DiCaprio, who previously played Hughes in Martin Scorsese‘s The Aviator, and a young Nicholson. Should Nicholson sign on to co-star it would create a weird level of familiarity, especially should Ehrenreich and Nicholson share a scene together. My mind might be totally blown if someone were to cut scenes from this eventual film with Scorsese’s Aviator creating something of a look-a-like paradox throwing my entire world off balance.
Don’t get too excited about the Nicholson buzz, however, as Showbiz 411 says that’s rumors largely started from the IMDb page for the film, which also includes Alec Baldwin among the rumored cast. Showbiz‘s source says “nothing on the IMDb” is correct. Of course, Showbiz claims the story is about Hughes and a young actress, not Hughes’ assistant. So take it all with a grain of salt.
New Regency and Brett Ratner are producing on a $26.7 million budget with production already underway.
