Back in May, reports surfaced that Matt Damon was finally looking to bite the bullet and slip into the director’s chair for the first time, hovering around spec script Father Daughter Time: A Tale Of Armed Robbery And Eskimo Kisses. But now it would appear he’s actually generated something he wants to call the shots on, working up an untitled drama to star Damon himself and John Krasinski.
And Krasinski is intimately involved with the film, having come up with the concept – a salesman (Damon) arrives in a small town and has his entire life called into question – alongside author Dave Eggers. The Office man will also produce the movie via his Sunday Night Productions company.
Damon and Krasinski co-wrote the script and have taken it to Warner Bros. The studio hasn’t yet given it the go-ahead, but with a relatively low budget and the names attached, we doubt it’ll be much more than a formality.
This would mean Damon following in the footsteps of old pal Ben Affleck, who has been forging a nice directing career himself for the studio. Given the level of talent Damon has worked with (Scorsese, Soderbergh, Eastwood, Greengrass, Gilliam and more), we’re intrigued to see what he brings behind the camera.
Currently trying to avoid getting sick on screen this week in Contagion, Damon will next be seen in Cameron Crowe’s We Bought A Zoo, due out on March 30 next year. Before that, though, he’ll be heard in Happy Feet 2, which will arrive on December 2.