Steve Carell As Jon Du Pont In 'Foxcatcher': Lands Bennett Miller-Directed Role

And you thought Michael Scott was a bit unhinged.

Now free to pursue movie roles full time, Steve Carell has been on a roll. He starred this summer in the romantic comedy "Crazy, Stupid, Love." and just finished filming indie apocalypse dramedy "Seeking A Friend For The End of the World." Now, as he shoots a film with Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones, the former "Office" boss has signed on to what is perhaps his most serious, challenging role yet.

Variety reports that Carell has agreed to play Jon Du Pon in "Foxcatcher," the true story of the paranoid schizophrenic financial heir who shot and killed Olympic wrestling champion Dave Schultz at a huge wrestling training facility that he built in the mid-90s. Following the killing, he locked himself in a house and negotiated with the police for days on end, essentially holding himself hostage.

Sentenced to 13 to 40 years in prison, died while incarcerated in 2010.

Carell has experience with depression in his roles, having played Frank in the 2006 hit, "Little Miss Sunshine." And he's always played down in the dumps well -- he proved that in "The 40 Year Old Virgin," as well as "Crazy, Stupid" -- but this takes it to a new level. And it may in fact be his attempt at righting six unjust Emmy snubs with an Oscar. The film will be directed by Bennett Miller, who got an Oscar nom for "Capote" and saw his star, Philip Seymour Hoffman, win Best Actor; his next film, this fall's "Moneyball," has earned rave reviews and Oscar buzz for star Brad Pitt.

For more, click over to Variety.

Comments

[noorilhuda]

02:48 AM on 10/01/2011

Yeah, should have been given an Emmy atleast once for Michael Scott. He was phenomenal.

[Kristen Primm]

02:50 AM on 10/01/2011

"He was phenomenal."

That's what she said ;-)

[noorilhuda]

01:42 PM on 10/01/2011

Ha! Good one Kristen!

[totaleclipse]

01:00 PM on 09/30/2011

I grew up near the place where this event took place and by all local accounts Jon Du Pont was one serious wack-a-doo
Can't wait to see Carell take this role on!

[PatA]

10:00 PM on 09/30/2011

"And it may in fact be his attempt at righting six unjust Emmy snubs with an Oscar."

How tacky. I seriously doubt that Carrell took the role thinking he could win an Oscar with it.

Grow up, writer.

[IdeaHotel]

10:29 AM on 09/30/2011

I can see why they are making a movie based on this guy-as his life is fascinating. He was a philanthropist, discovered many species of bird's, his parent's had what was called the "Wedding of the Century" etc... He was not known to be violent but some felt was influenced by a member on his security team. He was convicted of murder in the 3rd degree because of the mental illness. I look forward to seeing Miller's vision of this brought to the screen.

[kenhamlett]

09:36 AM on 09/30/2011

The best, most troubling and moving story I have ever seen about paranoid schizophrenia was a TV film called "Out of Darkness" a number of years ago. The film starred Diana Ross as the schizophrenic, in a performance based on the life of a real person. The performance won Ms. Ross a number of awards and award nominations, and is a haunting and often terrifying depiction of the world in which people suffering from this disease live. I know Mr. Carell's movie is based on a much more explosive story, since it involves an infamous murder. But, I hope the depiction of the disease in the film is a accurate as that portrayed in "Out of Darkness." We need to know more about the disease and more about how it can be treated.

[metivo]

09:33 AM on 09/30/2011

Good move, Steve. Choosing a film with Meryl Streep is definately smart. Streep is one of the very, very few who have chosen roles carefully. Is she the only one who can read scripts? Remember, it all begins with the screenplay.

[eastsideny]

01:35 AM on 10/01/2011

i agree with you 100 percent. streep is one of the finest actresses and versatile as well. i think kate winslet is another actress way beyond the kids out there today. and believe it or not, i am a fan of charlize theron. i can count the immeasurable ones on one hand.