Woody Harrelson is eyeing another live film and trying stand up as his latest creative challenge
Pop Culture & ArtAugust 21, 20262 min readPhoto: Reuters
Woody Harrelson is considering a return to the director’s chair nearly a decade after his ambitious directorial debut Lost in London, while also exploring stand up comedy and preparing for several major projects.
Speaking at the Variety Lounge during the SARAJEVO FILM FESTIVAL, Harrelson revealed that he would like to attempt another live film after the demanding experience of Lost in London. The 2017 project was filmed and broadcast live, making it an unusual experiment in cinema and presenting Harrelson with the challenge of performing while directing a production across multiple locations.
Harrelson described the experience as the most challenging production he had ever undertaken. Despite the pressure involved, he now sees an opportunity to revisit the concept with a shorter and potentially more manageable project.
The actor said he could approach streamers about producing a live film lasting around an hour. He also suggested that the experience of making Lost in London has given him a clearer understanding of what he would change if he attempted the format again. The original film involved 14 locations and hundreds of extras, creating a complicated production that had to unfold without the safety net of conventional post production.
Harrelson’s comments come as he continues to expand his work beyond acting. He has also started experimenting with stand up comedy, although he remains realistic about the difficulty of performing in front of a live audience. He explained that he has been making notes and wants to give the format a genuine attempt, while acknowledging that his first performance could be far from polished.
For now, audiences can expect to see Harrelson in Brothers, the upcoming Apple TV comedy that reunites him with Matthew McConaughey following their acclaimed work together in True Detective. The series takes inspiration from the unusual real life connection between the two actors and imagines them discovering that they could potentially be brothers.
Harrelson has also praised another upcoming project, Jason Bateman’s The Cackling of the Dodos. The Netflix film brings Harrelson together with Sam Rockwell, marking another reunion after their collaboration in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Harrelson is producing the project through Children at Play, the banner he launched with producer Anna Schwartz.
Bateman’s involvement particularly impressed Harrelson. He praised the actor and director’s creative contribution to the film and said the rewritten script developed a tone reminiscent of the work associated with Martin McDonagh and the Coen brothers. Harrelson also expressed confidence that the finished movie will be a strong addition to his upcoming slate.
The project gives Harrelson another opportunity to work with Rockwell, while Bateman’s involvement adds a director with an established background in both comedy and drama. The combination has already made The Cackling of the Dodos one of the actor’s projects to watch as his career moves into another busy phase.
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