50/50 was not just one of the best comedies of 2011 – it was one of the year’s best, period. Hilarious, deeply moving and strongly acted, it took on the daunting subject of cancer to great success. Though some people found the film to be overly flippant in dealing with such a sensitive subject, I adored its earnestness and originality. Now, we’re hearing that the film’s director, Jonathan Levine (also behind last year’s Warm Bodies) will be reteaming with 50/50 stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen for a project currently known as Untitled Xmas Comedy.
As you might expect by the film’s lack of a title, details about the project are sparse. Regardless, it became a hot property last weekend when Levine, who also penned the script, shopped it around to major studios. Sony eventually snapped up the rights, beating out Universal and Paramount. Word is that the studio hopes to put the project on the fast track and is aiming to get production underway this summer.
The movie will focus on a trio of friends (Gordon-Levitt, Rogen and one currently uncast actor) who reunite for their annual Christmas Eve tradition of going out on the town. Given the raunchy material in 50/50, which Levine also wrote, we can only imagine that the three friends will be in for one wild night.
That’s not an overly exciting premise for the comedy, but the fact that Levine, Rogen and Gordon-Levitt are working together is good news in any setting. I can’t say enough about my love for 50/50, so I can only hope that Untitled Xmas Comedy turns out to be an equally enjoyable venture for the trio. 50/50 producers Joe Drake and Nathan Kahane, now of Good Universe, are set to produce and finance the film.
We’re already expecting one raunchy comedy – Hot Tub Machine 2 – for this December, but if Sony can get the film finished fast enough, there’s a chance we’ll be seeing it this year. Otherwise, the studio will likely hold it until the 2015 Christmas season, where it would end up competing with massive tentpoles like Star Wars Episode VII and Mission: Impossible 5.
Did you enjoy 50/5o and, if so, are you intrigued by this holiday-themed comedy? Let us know below!