It's been well over a year since it was reported that Jack Nicholson was set to make his return to the big-screen in an English-language remake of TONI ERDMANN. The actor was a big fan of the German film and approached Paramount’s Brad Grey with the idea and Grey immediately worked to secure the rights. Nicholson was to appear in the film alongside Kristen Wiig, which would have marked his first time starring in a feature film since James L. Brooks' HOW DO YOU KNOW all the way back in 2010. However, we may have to wait a little longer for Jack Nicholson's return as it seems that he won't be starring in the project after all. D'oh.
According to The Wrap, an insider familiar with the project has said that after spending a long time on the fence during the early development of TONI ERDMANN, Jack Nicholson is no longer attached. The original film, which landed an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film in 2017, followed a practical joking father who attempted to reconnect with his hard-working daughter by creating an outrageous alter ego and posing as her CEO's life coach. Kristen Wiig is still attached to star as the daughter and Lisa Cholodenko (THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT), who was writing the adaptation, has now stepped up to direct the film as well.
It's a shame that we won't get to see Jack Nicholson do this thing once again, but I would hope that this is merely a bump in road. Although there had been rumours that Nicholson had retired from acting, the actor denied it, saying that the only reason he hadn't been appearing in many films is because he was less driven to "be out there any more," adding that "the movie business is the greatest business but I only want to do films that move people, films about emotions and people." Here's hoping you get that chance, Jack.