Steve Carell and Bryan Cranston Cast In Sequel To 1973 Jack Nicholson Picture

If director Richard Linklater was hoping to bring in some acting talent to help him reinvigorate the 1973 picture The Last Detail, then he can have no complaints with the names already secured for production. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Steve Carell and Bryan Cranston will join another established star, Laurence Fishburne, to make a stellar ensemble for the upcoming comedy.

The sequel, titled Last Flag Flying, has apparently been in the works for some time. Linklater went public back in 2006 talking about his desire to bring the story back to life on screen. He reportedly asked the original star Jack Nicholson to reprise his role with Morgan Freeman and Randy Quaid. Unfortunately that plan fell through.

1973 Nicholson Original A Smash Hit

Any movie that receives a great response critically and commercially at the box office is a precious commodity. 1973's The Last Detail fit that category with flying colors. The cult classic set records at the time for the amount of profanity used while telling the story of two navy officers who escorted an offender to prison, only to enjoy themselves a bit too much along their journey.

On top of picking up $10m at the box office following a budget of just over $2m, The Last Detail was nominated for 3 Academy Awards. Nicholson got a Best Actor nod for his portrayal of Billy "Badass" Buddusky. Despite falling short of picking up any major trophies or silverware, it is still regarded as one of Nicholson's greatest roles.

First Collaboration For Carell and Cranston

Outside of promoting a campaign against gun violence at the Oscars, and a handful of other meet ups at lavish ceremonies, this will be the first time Steve Carell and Bryan Cranston will partner up for a movie. Both men have kept themselves very busy of late. 54-year old Carell is voicing Gru in 3 adaptations of Despicable Me, starring as John du Pont in the bio-picture Foxcatcher and Mark Baum in another biographical production via 2015's The Big Short.

After putting his name up in lights as Walter White in the television smash hit Breaking Bad, 60-year old Cranston is showing no signs of slowing down as he follows on from roles in Argo, Godzilla and Trumbo, the latter of which providing him with an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.

22 Shares

Comments