Kaufman heads for 'Synecdoche, New York'

Charlie Kaufman has cast Philip Seymour Hoffman and Michelle Williams in his directing debut.

Jan 10 2007

Ever the creative madman, Charlie Kaufman has announced details of his forthcoming directorial debut, and it concerns a theatre director who creates a life-size replica of New York inside a warehouse.

'Synecdoche, New York' will then follow the impresario's efforts to stage a play on said set. Philip Seymour Hoffman has been cast as the director, and the lucky bugger will have Catherine Keener playing his first wife, Michelle Williams playing his second wife and Samantha Morton appearing as his lover. Which begs the question, when does he actually have time to direct?

Anthony Bregman's new company Likely Story will produce, and Bregman had this to say on the subject: 'It takes the term 'living theater' to a whole new level. We were kind of hoping that Charlie would write a small, contained film set in a kitchen with a couple of easy-going characters. Instead, he came up with a massive undertaking of visually elaborate worlds and stunningly complex characters and ideas.

'The film would be all but impossible to pull off if we weren't surrounded by such incredible actors, the most exciting team of filmmakers imaginable and the most supportive producing partners one could hope.'

'Synecdoche, New York' goes into production later this year, and we look forward to its release with baited breath.