MUMBAI: Everybody Loves Raymond star Brad Garrett has been roped to star in David Chase’s debut directorial film, which is being produced by Paramount Pictures.
Chase is the creator and producer of the multiple Emmy and Golden Globe-winning critically acclaimed series The Sopranos.
The yet-untitled film is a music-driven story set in 1960’s suburbia. James Gandolfini, Bella Heathcote, Christopher McDonald, Molly Price and comedian Lisa Lampanelli also join the film, which is set to begin principal photography in New York.
Said Chase, "Brad brings a funny, wry intelligence to his role as a composer / music producer."
Chase and Gandolfini are re-uniting on this film, after an acclaimed six-year collaboration on The Sopranos. Elaborating on Gandolfini’s role, Chase said, "It is so great to be working with Jim again. He is the perfect actor for this part – a postwar, post-Depression era parent who has given his kid every advantage that he didn’t have growing up, but now can’t help feeling jealous of the liberated, more adventurous destiny his son is able to enjoy."
Price will portray the boy’s mother in the movie, with Lampanelli playing his Aunt. Christopher McDonald plays the father of his love interest (Bella Heathcote).
Actors John Magaro and Will Brill, as well as Jack Huston, who has been recently receiving acclaim for his role as Richard Harrow – the man with the shattered face – on HBO’s Golden Globe-winning Boardwalk Empire, will star in the movie, to be released by Paramount Vantage.
Chase, who wrote the original script, will produce alongside Oscar-winning producer Mark Johnson. Steven Van Zandt is an executive producer and will serve as the film’s music supervisor.
