Always in demand for supporting roles and probably best known for his work on Christopher Guest’s mock-docs, the reliably funny John Michael Higgins has scored a part in Cameron Crowe’s new film{
Damon, of course, is playing a role based on former columnist Benjamin Mee, who poured his life savings into buying Dartmoor Zoological park, repairing the house for his family to life in and trying to save the various animals at the decrepit sanctuary.
His life won’t be made easier when his wife (Scarlett Johansson) develops brain cancer, and he’s still got to deal with his son (Colin Ford) and the various characters who populate or are attached to, the zoo, including Elle Fanning, Thomas Haden Church, Angus Macfadyen and Patrick Fugit.
Higgins has signed on to play a government zoo inspector who suffers from severe digestive problems and has little time for Damon’s project. Here’s hoping he can turn what sounds like a slightly one-note role into something fun.
After polishing Aline Brosh McKenna’s original script, Crowe has re-set the story in America and plans to start cranking the cameras next week in Los Angeles.