With only three films to his name as a writer-director, Kenneth Lonergan has already cemented himself as a modern master, chronicling the intimate and cruel truths of the human condition with unique precision and a deep sense of empathy. His short but impressive filmography includes “You Can Count On Me,” “Margaret,” and “Manchester by the Sea.”
Last year, during a Q&A session, Lonergan confirmed that he was “working on” his fourth film. He didn’t share any other details, but it was great to know that something cinematic might be next for the celebrated playwright.
A few days ago, Storyhouse welcomed Lonergan for another Q&A, this one moderated by director Lenny Abrahamson (“Room”). The discussion spanned a wide array of subjects, from the evolving landscape of Hollywood to the craft of writing genuine dialogue, the realities of creative negotiation, and more intriguingly, whether Lonergan will actually be directing a new film.
As the conversation came to a close, Abrahamson asked Lonergan about his current projects. His response? He’s juggling more than a few.
“I’m working on several things at once. They’re shouldering each other out of the way now, and it’s the most productive form of procrastination that I’ve ever developed,” he joked. “I don’t like to talk about it too much, but I’m working on two screenplays and a television project, and I don’t know which is going to be first. If I can keep the balance that I’m at now, none of them will ever appear.”
It’s been nearly 10 years since “Manchester by the Sea.” The film received widespread acclaim for its poignant exploration of grief, loss, and personal redemption. Casey Affleck earned the Oscar for Best Actor with his nuanced portrayal of a man grappling with tragedy, while Kenneth Lonergan won for Best Original Screenplay.
With that kind of success, you might expect Lonergan to have quickly moved on to another project. But these are strange and unpredictable times in Hollywood, and the kinds of films he wants to make aren't as popular at the box office as they once were.
Paul Greengrass’ "The Uprising," starring Andrew Garfield, opened to $3.2M from 2,068 theaters this weekend. Yikes. The budget hasn’t been disclosed, but is said to be in the $20-$30M range.