Though he still keeps one foot in the stand-up comedy world, Patton Oswalt is becoming more established as an actor with real range. He nabbed some major acclaim for Young Adult (even if he got snubbed by the Oscars), and while his next gig isn’t likely to stretch him anywhere near as far, it should help his profile, as he’s in talks to join The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty.
Ben Stiller is directing and starring in the film, which will remake the 1947 Danny Kaye comedy. Stiller’s Mitty is a mild-mannered daydreamer who works in the photo-processing centre at LIFE magazine (where they seemingly stick to developing photos the traditional way for that authentic look). He distracts himself with flights of fantasy, but is forced to be a real hero when a negative goes missing.
Oswalt is lining up to play Todd, an eHarmony worker who helps Stiller set up an online dating profile. Assuming he locks in a deal, he’ll join a cast that already includes Kristen Wiig and Shirley MacLaine.
Oswalt’s in demand at the moment: he’s got supporting parts in Odd Thomas and Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World, both of which arrive this year. And where else can you see him? Why, in the pages of this month's magazine...