The Coen brothers’ The Big Lebowski is one of those rare movies that was least culturally relevant when it was originally released in theaters. Then, it was the misunderstood comedy that followed the Oscar-winning Fargo; now, Lebowski is a cult classic that’s inspired themed weeks, festivals, and it was added to the prestigious National Film Registry of the Library of Congress. There’s even been talk of a sequel, with the Dude himself, Jeff Bridges, saying, “I think it’s a great idea. It might be fun playing a little cameo as the Dude. I’m hoping they make a little Lebowski [sequel] because it’s all set up.”
John Turturro (Jesus) has been pitching a sequel since the late 2000s, going so far as to pitch an outline for the story. Well, his dream might have come true, because according to Birth Movies Death, “Sources close to John Turturro’s Going Places have confirmed some weird and exciting news for us: the film, a remake of a French sex farce, is actually a Big Lebowski spin-off centered around Turturro’s Jesus Quintana character.” There’s even a cast.
The project has already begun filming with a script by Turturro and a cast that includes Bobby Cannavale, Audrey Tautou, and Susan Sarandon. The film, which currently has no distributor (thus making it an indie in the realest sense), takes its plot from the 1974 comedy Les Valseuses: two petty thieves, Turturro’s Jesus and Cannavale’s Petey, compete to give a woman (Tautou) her first orgasm after she’s roped into their hijinks. Sarandon also ends up in their company, playing a criminal who just got out after a long stint in prison. (Via Birth Movies Death)
Now, none of Birth Movies Death‘s report has been confirmed, and placing Jesus — a convicted sex offender — in the world of 1974’s grotesque Going Places (which Roger Ebert called “the most misogynistic movie I can remember”) is almost too bizarre to believe. Then again, if Turturro can turn foot eczema into a compelling HBO drama, there’s nothing he can’t do.
(Via Birth Movies Death)
