Bobcat Goldthwait Directing Robin Williams in 'World's Greatest Dad'
Filed under: Comedy, Casting, Deals
Okay: Bobcat Goldthwait + Robin Williams + a title like World's Greatest Dad = run for the hills. Right? I mean, I had to suppress a shriek upon reading that headline. But then I read further and ... this looks kind of awesome. I'm not joking.
Here's the pitch: Williams plays a high school poetry teacher and failed writer whose son dies in a freak masturbation accident. Stay with me here, folks. Not wanting to expose his family to the embarrassing publicity of a freak masturbation accident resulting in death, Williams' character decides to cover it up by writing a fake suicide note and claiming that his son took his own life.
When the story -- including the suicide note -- becomes a sensation, he decides to revive his writing career by fabricating an entire journal supposedly written by his son before his death. I get the sense that they mean "World's Greatest Dad" ironically.
That takes care of the title, and most likely the possibility that the film will be another piece of insufferable Robin Williams treacle like Patch Adams or License to Wed. (In spirit it sounds more like Death to Smoochy, which I realize might still be touch-and-go.) It still leaves the pesky matter of Bobcat Goldthwait. But wait: while I haven't seen Goldthwait's edgy directorial debut Sleeping Dogs Lie, a comedy about a woman who reveals a youthful act of bestiality to her fiancé, the movie was very well-reviewed when it premiered at Sundance in 2006.
So, World's Greatest Dad: maybe not the worst movie of all time?
[Source: JoBlo]










Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-18-2008 @ 11:00AM
palooka said...
"Sleeping Dogs Lie" was not Bobcat's directorial debut. "Shakes the Clown" was, and that had its moments of sublime hilarity. I'm personally looking forward to it.
Reply
6-18-2008 @ 7:28PM
Mike said...
Yes, Shakes was his debut, and it was hilarious - Sleeping Dogs was less funny, but still a very good movie.
I can't find too many good things to say about Williams, but with Goldthwait directing, it should be good.
(Note - Williams has an uncredited cameo in Shakes the Clown)
Reply
7-19-2008 @ 7:51AM
Debbie Tucker said...
It would be amazing to work with Robin Williams, even in the smallest bit part. I auditioned for the role of talk show host, Dr. Lori, for "World's Greatest Dad":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msIp4PNf5jY
Reply
7-25-2008 @ 4:20PM
jessica said...
hey i know some of the people that was working with robin williams for part of the movie.
Reply
7-30-2008 @ 11:35AM
Bodie said...
You mean Dr. Lana... I was on the set all day yesterday and yes, it's going to be good. No spoilers here, just needless to say, Robin was in top form and riffing between takes to keep things moving...it was definitely a treat to work with Bobcat as well. He's hands on and getting direction from him was great.
Reply
7-30-2008 @ 12:25PM
Bodie said...
I misspoke...Dr. Dana ;-)...long day yesterday ;-)
Reply