Since his Oscar-winning turn in Ray, Jamie Foxx seems to have been milling about in what seemed like supporting roles, even when they were leads (tell me anything interesting he had to do in Dreamgirls or Miami Vice). But now he seems to have found a role that will not only give him plenty to do, but will get him talked about as a 2009 Oscar contender before he's even stepped on set. In fact, we think we just started doing it ourselves.
In The Soloist he'll play a homeless man (the Academy's ears prick up) diagnosed with schizophrenia (Academy members begin salivating) who is also a Julliard trained violin prodigy (Academy members past and future expire in an ecstasy of carefully studied nuance).
Nathaniel Ayers' story was brought to the masses by LA Times journalist Steve Lopez (still to be cast), who used to pass the man playing his tattered violin on the downtown streets of LA. Through a series of interviews he discovered the man's classical training and unfortunate backstory. You can read those articles here.
The film has excellent behind-the-camera credentials too. The script has been written by Erin Brockovich writer Susannah Grant, based on Lopez's upcoming book. The fact that it will be directed by Britain's own Joe Wright, who's done sterling work with both Pride and Prejudice and Atonement, strongly suggests that this will be a strong character movie, rather than the sentimental Gumpish slush it could so easily become. Shooting will start in January in LA.