It’s been nearly four decades since Elaine May last stepped behind the camera. The sting of 1987’s “Ishtar” effectively ended her directing career. But May, now 93, is reportedly ready for one last go, with a long-gestating project titled “Crackpot.”
After years of delay, Dakota Johnson, who is the producer and star of the film, alongside co-lead Sebastian Stan, is telling the L.A. Times that “Crackpot” could be shooting in the fall. My best guess is that if it doesn’t reach that date, then we can scratch this project off. Time is this film’s enemy.
“Crackpot” first made waves about six years ago when Johnson’s casting was revealed. Since then? Silence. No plot. No production updates. Nothing on the rest of the cast. It’s been an open question whether May, an undeniable legend with only four features to her name, would get the chance to make her fifth.
Stan recently told The Big Picture podcast that the holdup had to do with insurance. Or rather, the lack of an “insurance director,” a common workaround in Hollywood when veteran filmmakers need coverage in case of health complications. Paul Thomas Anderson famously did this for Robert Altman on “A Prairie Home Companion” in 2006.
“I have this thing, I don’t know if it’ll ever get going,” Stan said. “It was going to be her last film and her first since “Ishtar.” It’s this crazy, kooky comedy. It’s supposed to be with Dakota Johnson and myself. We’ve been trying to find a shadow director for Elaine May for the insurance company. So if anybody out there is hearing this and you want to fucking shadow Elaine May for her last film, let’s go do it!”
It was a plea from an actor clearly still hoping this film comes to life. And who wouldn’t? May’s directorial output may be small but each film carries her signature wit, prickly intelligence, and a tone that’s nearly impossible to replicate. May’s credits include “The Heartbreak Kid” (1972), “Mikey and Nicky (1976), and her very best film, “A New Leaf” (1971).
There’s still time, but not much. May deserves a final act. Let’s hope someone steps up before the curtain falls for good.
Major shakeup for a film that was announced just two weeks ago, and is supposed to come out next year. Was this thing in production when these changes happened?