Dublin director John Carney has set his sights on actor/comedian Will Ferrell to star in his planned upcoming movie Russ & Roger Go Beyond.
Although the project is in its very early stages, reports are suggesting that Carney is out to source Will Ferrell for the job. The film is based on the real events surrounding director Russ Meyer and his relationship with film critic Robert Ebert.
In the late 60's, movie studio 20th Century Fox put all its faith in the relatively unknown and controversial Russ Meyer to restore the studio back to its former glory. With the cult classic sexploitation film Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! to boast, Meyer took on the challenge of helping 20th Century Fox with the help of critic Ebert. Together they wrote and directed the 1967 parody The Valley of The Dolls which became a huge box office success for the studio. Challenges and restrictions were constantly enforced on them by the US ratings board but through perseverance Meyer and Ebert's contributed greatly to the liberation of sexual content in film.
Russ & Roger Go Beyond will explore the pairs relationship and success through the years. Carney is in early talks with film producers about directing the film and the hopes are that Ferrell will play Russ Meyer whilst Robert Ebert will be played by Josh Gad. The script is already finished, written by SNL and The Simpsons contributor Christopher Cluess.
With the life-affirming, uplifting Sing Street gathering rave reviews, hopefully Carney's Russ & Roger Go Beyond plans will become a reality.

You can read the Hot Press interview with Sing Street's Ferdia Walsh-Peelo and Lucy Boynton in the latest issue.
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