Jenny Slate Reuniting With ‘Obvious Child’ Director And Writer For ’90s Comedy ‘Landline’
The delightfulObvious Childcame seemingly out of nowhere in 2014 to win us over. In our defense, it was the first-ever feature by directorGillian Robespierre, and the first screenwriting credit forElisabeth Holm, and starJenny Slatehadn’t yet established herself as a movie star. But now that we’ve all seen and lovedObvious Child, there’s no chance of the gang’s next team-up flying so far under the radar.
Slate is set to star in Robespierre’s next directorial effort,Landline, to be written by Robespierre and Holm. As the title suggests,Landlineis a period piece — specifically, an ensemble comedy set in 1995.John Turturro,Edie Falco,Jay Duplass, and newcomerAbby Quinnare also among the cast.
The Hollywood ReporterdescribesLandlineas follows:
’90s nostalgia seems to be good business right now, inspiring projects as varied as the ABC family sitcomFresh Off the Boat, the rap biopicStraight Outta Compton, and the blockbuster sequelJurassic World. The description forLandlinesounds a little cutesy — no cell phones, how quaint! — butObvious Childshowed that this team can do sweet-but-not-sentimental really well. Robespierre, Slate, and Holm, whoseObvious Childdebuted at Sundance in 2014, reunited once before for anFX comedy pilotabout two best friends on a road trip.
Slate was back at Sundance this year with Jeff Baena’s bachelor party comedyJoshy, and recently hit SXSW withMy Blind Brother. She was heard as the voice of Assistant Mayor Bellwether in Disney’sZootopia, will also be heard in this summer’sThe Secret Life of Pets. She’ll next be seen in Marc Webb’sGifted, also starring Chris Evans and Octavia Spencer.
Turturro’s last film, we are very sad to say, was Adam Sandler’sThe Ridiculous 6. His upcoming projects sound more promising — they include the HBO miniseriesThe Night Ofand the boxing biopicHands of Stone. Falco recently wrapped up her seven-season run on Showtime’sNurse Jackie, and appeared in Louis C.K.‘sHorace and Pete. She next stars with Robert De Niro inThe Comedianand Kate Mara inLeavey. And Duplass is still kicking ass on Amazon’sTransparent.
