Joe Pesci & Helen Mirren fall into the LOVE RANCH!
Joe Pesci's first leading role in nearly a decade will be as 'the godfather of legalized prostitution', alongside the great Helen Mirren!
The Good Shepherd after a retirement that lasted eight years, though his role was nothing more than an emotional small cameo. Today comes word of another movie he has signed up for, this time he ain't just returning for his pal and for a cameo, this one is the real deal. A leading part no less! Variety say he is teaming with the great Helen Mirren to star in Love Ranch, a drama about a couple who opened the first legal brothel in Nevada and the aftermath and violence that ensued when one of them cheated on the other. I'm trying my best not to give anything away here like I'm sure some sites will, but if you wanna find out the third big role that needs filling then click here. The movie is being setup at Capitol Films for Ray director Taylor Hackford to helm in January. Mark Jacobsen, whose article in the New York Times was the basis for the upcoming American Gangster film, has wrote the script which is inspired by a real life couple. Hackford is actually the husband director of Helen Mirren but it's only the second time they have worked together, the last being the drama White Nights in 1985. Hackford told Variety that he has wanted to work with his wife for some time but she would only do it for a great role that feels right and she has had to slot it in her schedule straight after she has finished State of Play. In terms of Pesci, Hackford had this to say...
"Joe didn't have any desire to work, but he was the first person I had in mind to play the husband, this former cab driver who dreamed of making prostitution legal and carved out a tiny county and convinced the local politicians," Hackford said. "He's playing the godfather of legalized prostitution, and it convinced Joe to jump back into the fire."Great news here. Pesci is a screen legend and seeing him back on screen for a full leading role, with Helen Mirren no less is just great. Hackford has sold the movie with his quotes above to me, just like he did for Pesci. I love it when a movie like this is reported out of the blue and is close to start filming!