by Ellen Carroll on April 2, 2009

Atonement, Ben Stiller, Brie Larson, Focus Films, Greta Gerwig, Hannah Takes the Stairs, Humpday, James Schamus, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Juno Temple, Mark Duplass, No Country for Old Men, Noah Baumbach, Rhys Ifans, Scott Rudin, The Boat that Rocked, The Squid and the Whale, United States of Tara

Focus Films announced today that filming has begun for an untitled movie by writer/director Noah Baumbach starring everyone’s favorite funny man, Ben Stiller. Baumbach (Academy Award nominee for his original screen play The Squid and The Whale) joins producers Jennifer Jason Leigh and Academy Award Winner Scott Rudin (No Country for Old Men).

Mr. Baumbach has written the original screenplay from a story conceived by Ms. Leigh and himself. At a crossroads in his life, Roger Greenberg (Mr. Stiller) ends up housesitting at his brother’s home in Los Angeles. There, he strikes up an unlikely friendship with his brother’s assistant Florence (Greta Gerwig of Hannah Takes the Stairs), an aspiring singer. Florence and Greenberg’s encounters lead to an uncertain and wonderfully vulnerable courtship.

Rhys Ifans, soon to be seen in The Boat That Rocked, plays Greenberg’s friend Ivan. The supporting cast includes Mark Duplass (of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival success Humpday), Brie Larson (of the hit series United States of Tara), and Juno Temple (of Focus’ award-winning Atonement); Ms. Leigh will also costar in the film.

Focus CEO James Schamus comments, “It’s a privilege and a pleasure to finally be making a movie with Scott, Jennifer and Noah, and one that will showcase Ben as an actor. This script has the hallmarks of Noah’s best work, and then some; heart and soul interlaced with biting wit. Filmgoers worldwide will find themselves emotionally engaged by and with these splendidly realized characters.”

We certainly hope so and look forward to Ben Stiller’s latest work. In the mean time, we’ll keep you updated on movie news in the making!

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