Ben Stiller Set To Direct “Bag Man” For Focus Features
Ben Stiller is set to be a very busy man in the next year or so. While he recently signed on to star in and co-produce a new comedy alongside SNL alum Andy Samberg, the actor has just finalized a deal that will see him direct the true-life drama Bag Man at Focus Features.
The film is an adaptation of a Peabody-winning podcast by Rachel Maddow. The story focuses on the scandal surrounding Richard Nixon’s vice president Spiro T. Agnew, who was running a bribery and extortion ring during his tenure as the VP of the United States. In fact, when the news of Watergate went wide and three young federal prosecutors discovered Agnew’s malfeasance, he called the investigation a ‘witch hunt’ and attempted to obstruct the investigation to protect himself from reprimand.
The podcast examined the man’s attempts to cover-up his crimes, which particular focus given to the backroom deals that took place that actually saved Agnew from having to serve a well-deserved prison sentence. It was an exploration of corruption at the highest levels of government, which showcased a greater need for both oversight and governmental transparency.
Still is an inspired choice to take on the project, and it’s likely that his particularly sensibilities will mest well with the real-life drama, which will probably be something of a tongue-in-cheek, ironic drama, similar to Vice or The Big Short.
Adam Perlman wrote the script alongside Stiller and his creative partner Mike Yarvitz. Stiller, Yarvitz, Lorne Michaels and Josh McLaughlin are all set to produce Bag Man, while Maddow will be an executive producer. There are no casting announcements, though Stiller does have a tendency to star in his own features, ala The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility that he’ll do the same here.
