While it may be true that nobody (ahem) messes with the Jesus, John Turturro's Big Lebowski spin-off centred on The Dude's creepy bowling nemesis Jesus Quintana has not had an easy time finding a lane. While the sequel-phobic Coen Brothers kept their distance, Turturro actually shot and completed the film in New York way back in 2016, under the title Going Places. Since those initial reports (and the first official still, below) there's been no further news. But now it's back. The newly monikered The Jesus Rolls has finally been picked up for distribution by screen media for release "early in 2020".
The new film also features Bobby Cannavale, Audrey Tautou, Sonia Braga and Susan Sarandon, and is to some extent a loose remake of 1974 French comedy Les Valseuses. That version starred Gerard Depardieu in the story of two aimless thieves who are known for stealing, fighting or charming people, and who somehow rope a woman into their criminal behaviour, "inadvertently performing good deeds" as they compete to win her affection. Turturro and Cannavale are reportedly the robbers, with Tautou as their accomplice and Sarandon as a recently released prisoner who also joins them on the road. Hopefully Jesus has got past his former predilection for "eight-year-olds, Dude".
Despite Turturro's enthusiasm, the Coens never jumped at the idea. "He talks incessantly about it," Ethan Coen said in 2013. "He even has the story worked out, which he's pitched to us a few times, but I can't really remember it. I don't see it in our future." But they did end up giving the film their blessing. The Dude abides, and so, it seems, does Jesus.
The 18th annual Lebowski-Fest takes place next weekend in Louisville, Kentucky. Surely that's the perfect opportunity for a surprise The Jesus Rolls premiere?