My just posted interview with Richard Linklater took place on May 31 and when I asked him about his long-gestating remake of the live-action/animation hybrid The Incredible Mr. Limpet starring Zach Galifianakis all he said was essentially at a loss for words saying, “Yeah, I don’t think that’s happening… You know, studios, eh, they’re so full of shit, you know, it’s just, nothing, nothing…”
Now, a couple days after that interview posted The Wrap has a story suggesting Jon Hamm is circling a live-action role opposite Galafianakis, who has long been attached to play Larry Limpet, a bearded beach bum trying to save the fish population. When he’s turned into a fish, Limpet sets out on an adventure to save his town and the sea world, learning valuable lessons along the way.
Did something happen in the month since I spoke with Linklater that turned this project around? After all, in a just posted interview at Indiewire, Linklater sounds even more firm in saying the project isn’t happening:
That thing has been in development for over three years. Interesting how the week I have a film coming out someone decides it’s a good idea to promote this. Not sure what they hope to gain.
As for this so-called casting announcement, Hamm is apparently eying a role but Danny McBride, Sarah Silverman, Kevin Hart, Josh Gad, Keegan Michael Key and Jordan Peele are also said to be in talks.
Hamm’s role would be as the film’s villain, a shrewd businessman who mines the ocean floor. McBride and Silverman are in talks for live-action roles while Hart, Key and Peele are expected to voice sea creatures.
We’ll see if something happens with this project, though I’d personally rather see Linklater working on something else (and presume he will be), such as that spiritual Dazed and Confused sequel we discussed with him saying of the college set feature, ” Yeah, that’s actually a Dazed and Confused sequel and a Boyhood sequel. How’s that? It’s actually an interesting sequel to both films, but it wouldn’t have any of the same actors. But, a spiritual sequel.”
Read my full interview with Linklater here and look for his latest film, Boyhood, in select theaters starting this weekend.
