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Matt Damon's Former Directorial Debut Taken Over by Gus Van Sant

by Ethan Anderton
January 6, 2012
Source: The Playlist

Just yesterday, we learned that Matt Damon was stepping away from the project that would mark his directorial debut, but only as helmer of the feature film he wrote with author Dave Eggers, which spawned from an idea the latter hatched with "The Office" star John Krasinski, who in turn wrote the script with Eggers and Damon. At the time, it wasn't clear if the project would move forward without Damon directing, even though he, Krasinski and Frances McDormand were still on board to star, but now The Playlist is reporting the lead actor's Good Will Hunting helmer Gus Van Sant has committed to direct. Read on!

Briefly, the film is said to follow Damon as a salesman who arrives in a small town only to have his whole life called into question. The story is described as being reminiscent of classic filmmaker Frank Capra (It's a Wonderful Life) and now it's been reported it will also see Krasinski and Damon being rival corporate executives. The project has been set up through Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's new production banner at Warner Bros. with "Project Greenlight" cohort and producing partner Chris Moore and John Krasinski also stepping up to produce as well. Deadline notes it was the trio of producers that decided Damon wasn't going to have enough time to make this film his directorial debut (previously we heard it was script issues holding him back), and now with Van Sant on board, production is expected to begin in April. I know I'm looking forward to Damon and Van Sant working together again.

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