It was only a few weeks ago in Toronto that Jason Bateman premiered his directorial debut, the vulgar indie comedy Bad Words. While the response to it was mixed at best, it was good enough for Focus Features who picked up the right shortly thereafter. And apparently Bateman did a good enough job behind the camera to impress Nicole Kidman, because he'll be directing one of her long-developing projects.
Bateman will be behind the camera for The Family Fang, which Kidman has been attached to since buying the rights back in 2011. Based on Kevin Nelson's bestselling novel and adapted by David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole), the story follows eccentric performance artists Camille and Caleb Fang, who regularly employ their children as part of the act. Now adults and blaming their chaotic upbringing for ruining their lives, the siblings return home reluctantly only to be roped into one final mysterious performance.
This is a pretty big step up the ladder for Bateman working alongside Kidman and the Pultizer Prize-winning Lindsay-Abaire, and one can't help but wonder if he'll step in front of the camera as well. Filming is set to begin next year. [Deadline]
