LATEST NEWS

Charles Grodin Potentially Joining De Niro in Midnight Run 2

by Ethan Anderton
June 2, 2010
Source: Deadline

Hopefully there's still a couple of you who haven't forgotten about actor Charles Grodin. Though the man didn't have a spectacular career, he worked consistently, moving from TV roles in the 60's to roles in movies in the 70's, 80's and 90's. From Rosemary's Baby to The Great Muppet Caper and one hilarious scene in So I Married an Axe Murderer, no one can give a comically threatening look of disdain better than him. Now Deadline reports Grodin, whose only job in the past 16 years was a role in Zach Braff's 2007 comedy The Ex, is considering a return to the big screen in the gestating Midnight Run sequel alongside Robert De Niro.

Originally, the script, from Tim Dowling (Role Models), wasn't going to include Grodin's character from the original film, but would only bring back De Niro's bounty hunter, as he chases the son of Grodin's character - a mob accountant last seen slipping away at the airport in Los Angeles at the end of the first Midnight Run. However, apparently Tribeca Productions (De Niro's outfit) is also intent on bringing back Martin Brest (the original director who hasn't directed anything since the disaster Gigli) in addition to Charles Grodin.

Though the actor says he'll consider it, it doesn't sound all that promising when he seems to be much more passionate about his work as a volunteer advocate for poor, first-time offenders hit with impossible prison sentences because of mandatory sentencing laws. In addition, when you hear Charles Grodin talk about the rigmarole that is acting in a Hollywood film, it sounds like he's just not up for dealing with all the baggage that comes with being on location for weeks on end. Here's what he had to say about Midnight Run 2:

“I've been led to believe by someone I won't name that they will ask me [to do Midnight Run 2] and I will consider it. I always assumed they'd go with a young actor. What I remember is there were 18 locations, including New Zealand, and for me, it isn't so much the acting as it is the travel and the waiting. I started in movies in 1963 and the first big one was Rosemary's Baby in 1967. While you don't notice it right away, it finally dawns on you that 80% of the time, you're doing nothing. Where I am right now, trying to get people out of prison and get laws changed, it is a funny twist that Bob De Niro's once again trying to put an innocent man in prison, while I am trying to get them out."

In addition, the actor even points out that he just turned down a role that would've made for a great cameo in The Greatest Muppet Movie Ever Made: "I just turned down the new Muppet movie. I was in The Great Muppet Caper and I think they are bringing back those of us still alive for a reprise. Jim Henson was dear to me but I'm not flying 6000 miles to Los Angeles to work one day." As much as I love Grodin, he does sound a bit grumpy (of course at his 75 years-old, can you blame him?) and a movie like this at his age after being out of the industry for so long just doesn't seem like all that great of an idea. Sure De Niro is older too, but he's seven years younger and has stayed in the industry in a variety of films, not to mention taking on a bigger role as producer with Tribeca. This sequel idea just isn't jiving with me. Anyone care to disagree?

Filed under Casting, Movie News, Opinions

From around the web: