Zombieland’s Ruben Fleischer May Direct Danny McBride In 30 Minutes Or Less
Ever sinceZombielandwas a massive break-out hit, there has been a lot of talk about what directorRuben Fleischerwill do next. A 3D sequelis in the cards, but he’s been slow to take on any of the many films that have come his way. Now there are reports that say he could well end up directing a comedy called30 Minutes or Less, which is being developed as a star vehicle forDanny McBride.
The LA TimesandDeadlineboth report on the film, which is being backed by Media Rights Capital. Neither outlet has any particular information on the script. But it was written byMatthew Sullivan and Michael Diliberti(the writers behindL.A.P.I., currently in development byFoot Fist WayandObserve and Reportdirector Jody Hill) and ended up on the 2009 Black List. There the logline was listed as a comedy following “a pizza delivery guy on an unlikely caper.” (Thanks to Hunter for the reminder on that fact.)
Fleischer and McBride sounds fantastic; the LAT rightly points out that the way Fleischer worked with Woody Harrelson inZombielandsuggests that this team-up could produce great results, and I have to agree.
Both outlets also say that Paramount seriously courted Fleischer to direct the fourthMission Impossiblefilm, but that he isn’t likely to do so. Have to express happiness there. While I liked the first and third films quite a bit, I’d rather see Fleischer do something that is less locked to an existing set of ideas, not to mention less locked to Tom Cruise. (Even though the fourth MI film is said to be kind of a reboot, whatever that means given that Cruise is returning as Ethan Hunt.)
Meanwhile, what about films likeDaddy’s HomeandNeighborhood Watch,which were floated as possible Fleischer filmsin the immediate wake ofZombieland? The LAT suggests those have all fallen by the wayside. The implication is that30 Minutes or Lessreally is the primary option right now; we’ll find more info and pass it on as soon as possible. I’ve realized I’ve had that script kicking around for months; looks like it’s time to give it a go.
