James Ponsoldt, once an acclaimed indie filmmaker, is attempting an artistic comeback with Apple TV’s “Sponsor,” which already has Jason Segel and John C. Reilly on board.
Amy Madigan has joined the cast in a supporting role. Fresh off her Oscar-buzzed turn in “Weapons,” she appears in the film about Peter (Segel), whose life unravels after a drunk-driving accident leaves him choosing between prison and a recovery program. At his first meeting, Peter encounters the no-nonsense yet enigmatic Jerry (Reilly), whom he quickly sees as a potential savior.
While that plot might not be the most enticing, having Reilly in the mix can up the ante. He’s a uniquely versatile performer, capable of headlining absurd comedies (“Walk Hard”) as easily as delivering deeply affecting dramatic work (“Boogie Nights”). He’s one of the great character actors of the 21st century.
As for Ponsoldt, he delivered three strong indie films in the 2010s (“Smashed,” “The Spectacular Now,” “The End of the Tour”) but has struggled since, turning in the Tom Hanks clunker “The Circle” (remember that one?) and “Summering,” which sits at 34% on Rotten Tomatoes. Reteaming with his “End of the Tour” star Segel might just be what the doctor ordered.
The budget? That depends on who you ask. Sony originally pegged it at $20M, but it's now being reported at $40M. Given how studios try to lowball costs, I'd bet on the latter being the actual figure.