French director Michel Hazanavicius has decided to return to the genre that won him an Oscar for The Artist for new comedy Will.
Hazanavicius told The Hollywood Reporter that the new project would be an English language film based on a script that was written a decade ago but never made.
“I liked the script,” he said. “There is no cynicism or irony — it is a very positive comedy. There is nothing mean in it. It is a completely American comedy. It can be very good and very funny.”
Since the success of his black-and-white silent comedy The Artist (which made over $130m worldwide and won five Oscars, including best picture), Hazanavicius has been offered a number of projects. He continued: “I was sent many scripts that I had to decline as I was already committed to making my next film, but I liked this project, and was impressed when I told them they would have to wait two years if they wanted me to do it and they agreed.”
Hazanavicius has directed one film since The Artist called The Search, a drama starring Bérénice Bejo and Annette Bening, that received a lukewarm reception at last year’s Cannes film festival. It’s still awaiting release in the UK and US.
There is a chance that Bejo, who picked up an Oscar nomination for The Artist and is Hazanavicius’ wife, could also star in his new film. “Bérénice is easy to work with and a very talented actress,” he said.
He explained that the financing is set to close soon and he will hopefully shoot the film this year with a release date in 2016.
