Ben Stilleris back where he belongs: in front of the camera. Certainly, Stiller’s career as a director includes a plethora of well-known, big-screen titles likeThe Cable Guy, ZoolanderandTropic Thunder, but there’s no denying Stiller’s charisma and on-screen presence when he is exercising the ole acting chops. And for the first time in six years, Stiller will play the leading role in the upcoming film titledNutcrackers. Check out a brief synopsis of Stiller’s dramedy (perDeadline):
“Nutcrackers follows the work-obsessed Mike (Stiller), who must reluctantly travel to rural Ohio to look after his four rambunctious nephews after their parents die in a car accident. What begins as a three-day trip to find foster care turns into weeks of farm-life mayhem – and the realization that he doesn’t need to find them a home, they’ve found one for him.”
Stiller’s last lead role came in 2017 as the protagonist in the filmBrad’s Statusfrom writer and director Mike White. Stiller didn’t abandon acting completely, though. He appeared in the fifth season ofArrested Development,Hubie HalloweenandLocked Down, but these were all much smaller roles.
Related:Movies and TV Shows Directed by Ben Stiller
Ben Stiller Returns in Nutcrackers
Ben Stiller’s upcoming filmNutcrackersis being filmed in Ohio. And in addition to portraying the workaholic, lead character, Mike, Stiller also serves as a producer on the project via Red Hour Films.David Gordon Greenis coming fresh off of his directorial effort inthe box office disaster,The Exorcist: Believer, and he has been chosen to helmNutcrackers. The independent dramedy will be quite the change for Green considering he’s spent the last five years devoted to the horror genre with hisHalloweentrilogy and his direct sequel toThe Exorcist(1973).
Writer Leland Douglas (Miracle Dogs Too, Call of the Wild, Bed & Breakfast: Love is a Happy Accident) is tasked with penning the screenplay, while Rob Paris, Mike Witherill, John Lesher and Nate Meyer will also serve as producers alongside Stiller.
At the time of this writing, Stiller is the only cast member ofNutcrackerswho has been announced. And other than a second synopsis/logline (perIMDb), there’s very little information available on Stiller’s return to the Silver Screen as a leading man. Green’s dramedy doesn’t have a theatrical release date yet, but fans can check out that other short description ofNutcrackers(below) to whet their appetites until Stiller’s return to cinemas:
“In the most unlikely of places, four siblings find a loving shelter in an unexpected turn of circumstances. This endearing comedy-drama draws inspiration from actual events and deftly crafts a gripping story that unites everyone.”
