I had a completely unexpected reaction when reading the latest Kevin James news. Why I don’t know, but I did. I like James perhaps more than I should. Despite the pedestrian set up of King of Queens, he and Leah Remini had good chemistry on the show and James was pretty reliable for a laugh. He’s also generally a relaible wing man for comedies and I caught a couple of his stand up routines on TV that I also liked for the most part. Also, if it weren’t for James’ amiable demeanor, Paul Blart would have been a complete abortion instead of just a miscarriage.
But checking out the latest story on James in the Hollywood Reporter, I had a reaction that I was disappointed, and just really didn’t give a crap. James is set to co-star with Vince Vaughn in an untitled cheating comedy for Ron Howard. The story follows a man (Vaughn) who learns that his best
friend’s wife is cheating and must then navigate treacherous waters
to decide what do with that knowledge. James is playing the best
friend. Imagine’s Brian Grazer, who came up with the idea, is producing
with Vaughn, who produced via his Wild West Picture Show Prods.
What made me more blase than usual about word that Vaughn and James were starring together, is that I’d be interested in seeing James try something new rather than just crank out yet another buddy romp. His last few major films: the comedies Blart and Chuck & Larry. His upcoming films: the comedies Grown Ups and The Zookeeper, the latter with talking animals. Just once, I’d like to see him play a complete asshole, a killer, an alcoholic. Something.
That expectation may be irrational considering the career James has already carved out for himself and what he seems comfortable doing, but that was my reaction.
15 comments
Wasn't Blart a disgustingly huge hit? It might be godawful shite but if your middle of the road crappy comedies make you millions because you have a mainstream audience who loves your schtick, the only reason you'd go edgy or take chances is if you felt you were some kind of artist (like Jim Carrey does). I never got that vibe off James.
you care waaaaay too much about kevin james
It'd be great that if every actor got the opportunity to stretch their talents like you're suggesting. However, there's got to be a filmmaker out there that WANTS the actor to play a different role first.
Let's say I'm David Fincher and I'm making my bazillionth serial killer movie. Do I cast Kevin James as the killer just because he wants to grow as an actor?
Or do I cast Jackie Earle Haley, Willem Dafoe, Steve Buscemi, Gary Oldman, etc… because they're already known for being able to act/look creepy?
Simply put, James is going to be typecast as long as the decision makers in Hollywood see him as the fat and funny oaf he's always played.
It takes a leap of faith for someone to play outside of type these days and I think we can all agree that not too many risks are being made in the reboot/remake world of filmmaking.
Horseshit. James was already successful, but PAUL BLART meant he could easily bring his name to any of dozens of indies and get all the boundary-stretching roles he could eat. The guy clearly wants to play the same character repeatedly, cash the checks, and then go do whatever it is he does when he's not making bad movies (hint: it involves a fork).
I have had a crush a on Leah since Saved by the Bell.
side-note, your reaction to Kevin James, David, is my reaction to any Vince Vaughn, or Michawl Cera movie. Youth in Revolt and Wild West Comedy Show, barely are exceptions.
Blart was full of skater dorks with guns that would recoil in their face if not for the blanks.. weak villians suck a movie down.. comedians in serious roles are solid gold drama in my book though..
I really loved that mall cop movie, especially the part where the cop character and the gay mexican drug addict beat people up and then rob the mall and then*spoiler* Blart shoots that naked guy…oh, wait…
It's always easy for a bunch of guys on the internet to rip on people for taking certain roles. However, for the actors in question there are millions of dollars on the line. Let's be real now.
It's fine that you would like to see him in a different role, but for christ's sake, writing an article where you bash a guy for not taking roles that YOU'D like to see him in is just a dick move.
I fail to see how writing an article where you say that you like a guy and would like to see a little more out of him is a dick move.
Paul Blart seemed like it should've come out in 1993 – what with the skateboarding ninjas and all.
RE: ASDF —- Yea, I can see how Paul Blart gave James carte blanche. Great point! He can write his own ticket now! I'm sure all of the indie directors are banging down this guy's door because of the effing Mall Cop movie. Yep, solid argument. It was such a star-making turn and really opened a lot of eyes. If I was Marc Webb, Rian Johnson or any other hot indie director, I'd be clammoring for James to be in my movie. — and this has been the conclusion of Sarcasm Theatre. Join us next week when we praise the acting prowess of Larry the Cable Guy and his star-making role in "Witless Protection."
Grilled. Grilled is largely about Kevin James in a movie that is clearly not a comedy.
Frank, you stupid cunt. If you don't think someone with major visibility like James could find great roles in movies where they live or die based on getting a recognizable star, then you're… well, you're you. It doesn't necessarily mean the topline indies.
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