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What do you get when you take three funny, talented and gorgeous Jewish actors (yes, Rogen is also gorgeous) and throw them into a Christmas movie? A Christmitzvah! (Damn, I’m good. I should write for Popsicle.) Variety reported today that Lizzy Caplan just joined the cast of Sony’s new untitled Christmas Eve project, starring Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
“Pic also stars Anthony Mackie and Jonathan Levine, who worked with Rogen and Gordon-Levitt on “50/50,” is directing.”
“The story follows three childhood friends who reconnect on Christmas Eve.”
“Caplan will play Gordon-Levitt’s love interest.”
“Production starts next week in New York.”
Although the plot synopsis doesn’t seem to mention anything about the actors playing Jews, I am curious if it is going to be a major plot point. I know that the ethnicity or religion of the actors doesn’t really matter, but c’mon! Rogen, Caplan, and Gordon-Levitt starring in a Christmas movie set in New York directed by Jonathan Levine? How could it not be a movie about going out for Chinese food and seeing movies in a nearly empty theater? And yes, I realize that Anthony Mackie kind of throws a wrench into my theory, but he could be playing a Jewish person (he is a really good actor.) Then again, by that logic, Caplan and Gordon-Levitt could be playing goyim (not Rogen though). But I’m really hoping for a feature film adaptation of one of my favorite Robert Smigel SNL sketches “Christmas for the Jews,” about the difficulty in feeling excluded while the world celebrates, but the joy in celebrating one night of having the city all to yourself. The film doesn’t have a title yet, but I’d like to suggest It’s a Wonderful Strife, Mishegas On 34th Street, or Jingle Oy (the) Vey.