Jonathan Levine’s Cancer Dramedy Retitled ‘50/50’, Gets Release Date
Producer/starSeth Rogen’s cancer comedy has endured at leasttwo title changes, twodirectorsand twolead actors. So it seems fitting that its new, and final, title is50/50and Summit will release it on September 30. Directed byJonathan Levine(The Wackness) the film stars Rogen as well asJoseph Gordon-Levittin the title role,Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard, Philip Baker HallandAngelica Huston.50/50is based on the true story ofWill Reiser(who also wrote the screenplay), “a producer onDa Ali G ShowandBest Week Ever, who was diagnosed with cancer in his mid-20s and successfully battled the disease over several years.“Michael Giacchinois rumored to bewriting the score as well. There’s more information after the jump.
The Wrap first brokethe news of the title change and release date for the film, which was first calledI’m With Cancerand thenLive With It.50/50sounds like a news program but I’m sure, when juxtaposed with a trailer that shows Joseph Gordon-Levitt battling cancer, the title will hit home a bit more. Summit is probably just happy to finally get the word “Cancer” as far away from this film as possible.
Reiser’s autobiographical script was on the Black List a few years ago and Rogen, who also worked onDa Ali G Show, decided he’d like to develop it. Originally Nicole Holofcener was set to direct James McAvoy in the lead role, but each was replaced before production began. Levine and Gordon-Levitt seem to be even better choices though. Gordon-Levitt is enjoying incredible success with his last few films (500 Days of Summer, Inception) and Levine has shown he knows how to balance youth with serious topics – such as violence inAll the Boys Love Mandy Laneor drugs inThe Wackness.
50/50has a huge cast but competition on September 30 is going to be tough. Already set to open areAnonymousdirected by Roland Emmerich,Dream Housedirected by Jim Sheridan (starring Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz) and a romantic comedy calledWhat’s Your Number?,starring Anna Faris and Chris Evans in his first postCaptain Americarole.
Do you think50/50is a good title? Is a comedy about a showbiz cancer survivor going to win over audiences?
