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Justin Theroux Set to Direct Universal's Chief Ron Movie

by Alex Billington
June 10, 2009

From actor to writer to director. Justin Theroux, who first started out as an actor and starred in David Lynch's two most recent films, is set to direct his second feature, titled Chief Ron, for Universal. After directing the Mandy Moore indie drama Dedication in 2007, Theroux ended up co-writing Tropic Thunder with Ben Stiller. When that became a huge hit, he was hired by Marvel to help write the screenplay for Iron Man 2. Now he's back in the director's seat with Chief Ron, a comedy about a conman who claims he's Mohegan in an attempt to open a casino. I'm already digging the concept and I barely know what it's about.

Chief Ron is actually inspired by the true story of Chief Ron Roberts. "His blonde hair and blue eyes raised skepticism over his ancestral claims," but he prevailed in court and is now building a casino in upstate New York. The screenplay was written by Jordan Roberts, of Around the Bend and March of the Penguins previously. Universal producing hot shot Brian Grazer is producing Chief Ron along with Grant Morris and David Gordon executive producing. I never saw Dedication, but as long as this has the same kind of humor as Tropic Thunder, then I can't wait to see it. At least it has a crazy backstory that should bring the laughs.

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huh?

"From actor to writer to director. Justin Theroux, who appeared as the cowboy in Romy and Michele's High School Reunion in 1997, is set to direct his second feature film, titled Chief Ron, for Universal." What a completely strange way to introduce the man. You could have mentioned his roles in David Lynch's last two films or his great supporting role in American Psycho among other things. Not sure if it's meant as a joke. I'm sure you've at least seen Mulholland Drive or American Psycho.
http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington

Aw crap, sorry, I meant to say that one of his first acting roles was in that... I have seen Mulholland Drive and American Psycho, but I wanted to mention how he started as an actor (in something like small like that) and then became, more recently, a director and screenwriter. Sorry for the confusion... Fixed it so it reads better.
http://www.firstshowing.net Christopher Campbell

Dedication is pretty crappy, and not funny at all -- it's actually quite depressing. It may be the antithesis to Tropic Thunder. I don't understand why he is only directing projects he didn't write.
F.C.

Ever since seeing Justin in that crappy Charlie's Angels movie as Drew Barrymore's psycho ex-boyfriend, I've liked him and I even like him more his directing and writing skills than his acting skills. I love "Dedication", it is one of my favorite movies, he brought so much depth and somehow quirkiness into such a depressing yet lovable movie! Yes, I agree with the poster above that Dedication is rather the antithesis of Tropic Thunder. Justin was also in the movie "Broken English" with a supporting role and he was amazing even with such a small role. I believe that he will be great with his new project and cannot wait for what he has to offer next!
Dan W

I like the concept. I hope this movie will stop all of the awful Mohegan Sun commercials.
Kelly

Although I am from Granville New York as is Ron Roberts, I have only met the man in passing a few times. But I think it is important to correct that in the true story Mr. Robert's casino was in fact shut down (believe it was never actually built but he had secured investment, however I AM NOT CERTAIN OF THIS) and he was taken to court for forgery. He did not win the case, of this I am certain and was sentanced to house arrest and probation for several years. He also had brown hair which is now white. It has been said the movie will take liberties to create happier and more comedic ending. Here are some news articles about the real man New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/03/nyregion/man-with-flair-for-reinventing-himself-goes-a-step-too-far.html Sydney Hearald http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/06/07/1086460239045.html?from=storylhs THIS one is about the trial from the New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/18/nyregion/no-prison-for-indian-chief-in-scheme-for-catskills-casino.html
http://www.goldenrule.com/health/health-savings.shtml Hsa

I actually thought that the dry comedy Tropic Thunder was a pretty funny movie. Thanks for the links to find more information about this Chief Ron.