Robert Downey Jr. recently announced that he’d be joining Jon Favreau’s indie film Chef. What you may not know is that there’s another film in development, also titled Chef (don’t you hate when they do that?) and like its sibling (twin?), it will also star one of Hollywood’s hottest leading men. Being developed by The Weinstein Company and written by Eastern Promises scribe Steven Knight, this film will star Bradley Cooper, with August: Osage County director John Wells at the helm. Derek Cianfrance was attached at one point but that apparently didn’t pan out.
The plot follows “a Paris chef named Adam Jones (Cooper), who destroys his wunderkind status by way of his own out of control behavior. After getting clean and sober, he returns to Paris and attempts to redeem himself by taking over a top restaurant with the potential to gain three Michelin stars.” Omar Sy is in talks for a supporting role and Michelle Williams and Marion Cotillard are both eyeing the female lead.
Now, there is some trouble surrounding the project. Sony Pictures, who controlled the film before TWC stepped in, is requesting that Favreau find another title for his movie, and understandably so. Both films are being pitched to buyers at Cannes and obviously, there is some confusion. Seeing as Sony already cleared the title with the MPAA though, Favreau is likely going to have to come up with something new.
Chef or no Chef, both films should turn out well. Favreau’s version currently has Downey Jr. and Scarlett Johansson attached while Wells’ version can’t go wrong with one of Hollywood’s hottest talents in the lead. I love Cooper in everything he does and Chef should prove to be another enjoyable role for the seemingly unstoppable actor.
What do you think? Are you looking forward to Chef? Or are you already confused by the duplicate title?