A few British actors surprised audiences last year with performances many fans didn’t know they had in them. Two such actors were The IT Crowd‘s Chris O’Dowd who starred in American hit Bridesmaids, the other was Olivia Colman whose performance in Paddy Considine’s Tyrannosaur stunned audiences across the country.
It’s exciting then to hear this week that O’Dowd and Colman will be joining Nick Frost and Rasheda Jones in a fiery new comedy dance film entitled Cuban Fury – and Nick Frost promises to do all his own dancing. Never fear though. This may be a dance film, but if the information below is anything to go by … it will be no ordinary dance film.
STUDIOCANAL, Film4 and BFI are presenting the Big Talk Pictures Production. Big Talk’s credits include all of Edgar Wright’s films to date: Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World, along with Paul and Attack the Block.
Here is the official press release:
Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Paul), Rashida Jones (The Social Network, I Love You, Man), Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids, The Boat That Rocked) & Olivia Colman (Hot Fuzz, Hyde Park on Hudson, Tyrannosaur) to star in James Griffiths’ hot stepping comedy CUBAN FURY, co-financed by STUDIOCANAL, Film4 and the BFI Film Fund.
Beneath Bruce Garrett’s shabby, overweight exterior, the passionate beating heart of a salsa king lays dormant. Only one woman can reignite his Latin fire. Spotlight hits, sweat drips, heels click – Nick Frost IS Cuban Fury.
CUBAN FURY marks James Griffiths’ feature film directorial debut with TV credits including Up All Night and Free Agents. Produced by Nira Park and James Biddle of Big Talk, working from an original idea by Nick Frost, the screenwriter is Jon Brown, whose hit TV writing credits include series such as Miranda,Misfits and Fresh Meat. Brown also won the BAFTA for Break-Through Talent in 2011. Executive Producers are Nick Frost, Matthew Justice and Rachael Prior (Big Talk), Danny Perkins and Jenny Borgars (STUDIOCANAL) and Tessa Ross (Film4).
“My aim with Cuban Fury was to make a romantic comedy with fiery Salsa at its heart. I wanted to show people that sometimes it’s not about a perfect nose and abs of steel, sometimes passion, soul and fire is enough. And in case you’re wondering yes, I’ll do all my own dancing.” – Nick Frost
“For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to make a dance movie. Even better a comedy dance movie. So when I received an email from Nick Frost which read: “how would you feel if I said we should do a film where I DANCE A LOT. Imagine me in tightly fitted sequinned garments with a lot of slow-mo”, I said: “I want the poster for that movie on my wall now!” Nick’s idea for Cuban Fury was fantastic, and finding newcomer Jon Brown to collaborate with him and write the script was the first step – Jon just has that knack for funny that is completely innate. Being able to bring James Griffiths on to direct was the final piece of the jigsaw. We had a fantastic time making our TV show Free Agents together, and had been looking for the right movie project to collaborate on for a long time. I can’t wait to see Nick in a role that will showcase all of his incredible talents as a performer, even those that have remained more hidden up to this point! And I feel incredibly lucky that we have managed to persuade the unbelievably gifted Rashida Jones, Chris O’Dowd and Olivia Colman to join us for the ride.” – Nira Park
1987: A 13 year old natural born dancer with fire in his heels and snakes in his hips is working himself up to explode all over the UK Junior Salsa Championships. But then… a freakish bullying incident on the mean streets of London robs him of his confidence, and our young hero finds his life diverted down a very different path.
So it is that 22 years later, an adult Bruce Garrett (Nick Frost) finds himself out-of-shape and unloved – trapped in a downward spiral of self-pity, repression and Nando’s take-outs. Only Julia (Rashida Jones), his smart, funny, gorgeous new American boss, gives him reason to live. But she’s untouchable. Out of his league, so he imagines, with her perfect smile and perfect life. Unknown to Bruce however, Julia has issues all of her own. Luckily for him, she also has a secret passion…
Then there’s Drew (Chris O’Dowd), his alpha male colleague and horny king-monkey of the office. With Drew making no secret of his desire to get (his words) “all up inside Julia”, Bruce is forced into action…
And thus, Bruce is once again brought face-to-face with the darkest and most powerful of his inner demons. Somehow, someway, and with a lot of handholding from loyal sister Sam (Olivia Colman) Bruce must learn how to unshackle his dancing beast, regain his long lost fury and claim the love of his life…and he’s going to do it all On The Dance Floor…
Source: filmoria.co.uk Nick Frost launches Cuban fury with Chris ODowd and Olivia Colman