Disney Quashes Potential Linklater Project

By our guest blogger, Rob Stammitti

Acclaimed indie director Richard Linklater, probably known best for his '90s comedy "Dazed & Confused" and the Jack Black vehicle "The School of Rock," has been going through some tough times lately. With Disney's decision to limit Miramax's releases to only three a year, the project Linklater intended to start has been cancelled. The film, a romantic comedy called "Liars (A to E),'" even had a cast in development.

Studio Briefing had this to say:

"[Linklater] said that after receiving the green light from Miramax, he had cast Rebecca Hall and Kat Dennings in leading roles, but that the light had now turned red. "It's no longer happening, unfortunately," Linklater"

This is just one of multiple projects Linklater had lined up. He also made an attempt several years ago to get another comedy in the vein of "Dazed & Confused" off the ground, but even though he had the budget settled, he couldn't line up a distributor and the project was quickly set aside. There was also word of a sequel to "The School of Rock," but Linklater denied the reports.

I think this is a dreadful shame. I'm a longtime Linklater supporter. I've seen every one of his films, even his independent debut "It's Impossible to Learn to Plow By Reading Books," and I'd even go so far as to say he'd make my top five favorite directors. That he's having such a difficult time getting any of his projects off the ground, even comedies which seem as if they'd appeal to a broad audience, is extremely disappointing.

Linklater does have at least one film surely on the way, however. The romantic comedy-drama "Me & Orson Welles," starring Christian McKay and Zac Efron, will have a limited release later this month. Early reviews have been very positive.