Richard Linklater is undoubtedly one of the most exciting talents working today, as evidenced by his eclectic yet phenomenal filmography. He’s making waves this year for finally releasing Boyhood after a 12-year shooting period, and the result is quite simply a masterpiece. No doubt the film will be in the awards conversation later this year, but now talk has turned to what Linklater might be making next. The director has never been one to follow a predictable path and a studio tentpole or franchise installment feels out of character, but he does have a couple of interesting projects percolating. He’s been attached to a remake of the 1964 film The Incredible Mr. Limpet for some time now, planning a live-action/animated hybrid redo, but a new report breaks the unfortunate news that Linklater is exiting the project.
However, Linklater’s exit might have to do with the fact that he may next be tackling his talked-about “spiritual sequel” to his magnificent Dazed and Confused, a 1980s college-set film called That’s What I’m Talking About. More after the jump.
Though casting for Linklater’s Mr. Limpet was being reported as late as a few weeks ago, THR reports that the filmmaker is exiting the Warner Bros. project due to scheduling issues. The studio is apparently already talking to directors to replace Linklater, as they’re hoping to keep the cast—which includes Zach Galifianakis—intact.
As for the project that’s to blame for Linklater’s “scheduling conflict”, THR cites sources saying that the filmmaker wants to concentrate on getting That’s What I’m Talking About made now that he has heat off of Boyhood. The project is based on Linklater’s own life and revolves around freshmen navigating the first year of college life while trying to make the baseball team. The director has often cited the pic as a “spiritual sequel” to Dazed and Confused, and it’s not hard to see it taking on college in much the same way that Dazed took on high school life.
Linklater is apparently keen on shooting That’s What I’m Talking About this fall, though he may also be busy doing awards rounds for Boyhood so it’s possible the production might begin in early 2015 instead. Even last year Linklater was talking about hopefully shooting the pic soon, and given that financing might come together more easily now that Boyhood has him on many people's minds, it seems like the perfect time to strike while the iron is hot.
