Indie triple-threat Thomas McCarthy previously brought attention to his upcoming drama The Cobbler in September by casting comedian Adam Sandler in the lead role. Now, he’s recruited two more big names for the film – Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman (Kramer vs. Kramer) and Golden Globe winner Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire) have both joined The Cobbler in supporting roles.
The Cobbler will center on a shoe repairman (Sandler) who gains access to a metaphysical plane and uses his newfound abilities to step into the lives of others, literally walking a mile in another person’s shoes. All further details on the plot and Hoffman’s role are being kept under wraps for now, but Buscemi will reportedly play a character by the name of Manny.
Though Sandler currently has a very bad name among most film critics (an obvious consequence of his starring roles in recent comedies like Grown Ups, Jack and Jill, That’s My Boy and Grown Ups 2), I’m optimistic for The Cobbler. McCarthy has carved out a small but distinctive niche for himself by crafting character-driven indie dramas. His past films, which include The Station Agent, The Visitor and Win Win, all placed in multiple critics’ best-of lists in their respective years.
Additionally, it’s easy to forget that Sandler has some serious acting chops, as demonstrated by his performances in Funny People and Punch-Drunk Love. If anyone is capable of bringing out the actor’s more dramatic side, it’s McCarthy. After all, the director’s previous efforts have each been applauded for yielding incredible lead performances – Richard Jenkins, Peter Dinklage and Paul Giamatti all received major awards attention for their roles in McCarthy’s past films.
That said, respected actors like Hoffman and Buscemi joining the cast of The Cobbler only increases the likelihood of the film turning into something great. In other casting news, The Cobbler also recently gained Downton Abbey‘s Dan Stevens and rapper/actor Method Man in supporting roles.
The film is already shooting in New York City, so I’d wager that McCarthy is aiming for a release date in early to mid 2014. Though more details about the plot will likely emerge soon, The Cobbler‘s cast alone is enough to pique my interest for now.
Tell us, are you excited for The Cobbler? Will you go see Adam Sandler in a dramatic role, or has he effectively cornered himself by appearing in so many mainstream comedies? Let us know in the comments section!