With the news The Big Short, I would say anticipation for the adaptation of the Michael Lewis book about the build up of the housing bubble spiked. Well, people, you might be seeing yet another big name above the title on the poster.
Steve Carell, who is vying for an Oscar nomination tomorrow morning for his terrific performance in Foxcatcher, is in talks to join The Big Short. He would be reteaming with his Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy writer/director Adam McKay for, obviously, a very different kind of movie.
Carell has more than proven himself as a terrific actor. Even before he started dipping his toes into drama, his comedic character work has mostly been extremely specific and interesting. I am of the mind comedy is much more difficult than drama, so I highly respect what Carell does. And his previous collaboration with McKay resulting in one of the best comedic characters of the 21st Century: Brick Tamland. That is a hard thing to do. So, if the talks progress to an actual deal, I will be a very happy person.
Original report from The Hollywood Reporter.