The 2024 iteration of theToronto International Film Festivalis officially underway withDavid Gordon Greengetting the honor of kicking off the festivities with his new filmNutcrackers. It’s a big honor for a director who’skept busy across multiple genresover the past several years. between his polarizingHalloweenandThe Exorcistreboots and continued role producing and directing episodes ofThe Righteous Gemstonesamong other things. He’s since beenexorcised from the latter of the two horror trilogies, but the future still holds plenty of projects for him, including one that’sbeen on the back burner for ten years. While speaking with Collider’sSteve Weintraubat TIFF, he gave a light update on where things stand withScore, which he was developing withMiami ViceveteranDon Johnsonback in 2014.
Scorewas set to bring Green back into the arena of sports after previously working onEastbound & Down. Johnson, who had also appeared in episodes of theDanny McBridebaseball comedy, had written the series and would’ve starred as an unhinged football head coach who goes out of his way to demolish the rules of the NCAA and recruit a team full of criminals. Set in the 1980s, the storyplanned to unfold during the rise of college footballwith big-time Kenny Powers energy oozing out of the project. However, nothing ever moved forward beyond that initial development.
Green didn’t make any promises, but he assured thatScoreis back on his radar, at the very least. Momentum died down years ago, but he said he’d still be willing to reteam with Johnson to get the ball rolling again at some point in the future:
“You know what? That came out again recently. Don and I were developing this thing many years ago as a series for him, and I haven’t heard anything about it for a number of years. I guess that must have been in a headline that someone caught a little late. But sure, man. I love him. We had a great time onEastbound & Down, and I’ve always talked about doing something together, so maybe we’ll dust offScoreand get it kickin’ one of these days.”
David Gordon Green Opened TIFF on a High Note With ‘Nutcrackers’
For now, the focus is on finding a distributor forNutcrackersonce its run on the festival circuit comes to a close.Ben Stillerstarsin his grand return to a leading role, playing a real estate worker who’s suddenly tasked with taking care of four rambunctious kids (played by real siblingsHomer,Ulysses,Arlo, andAtlas Janson) in rural Ohio after the death of his sister. Initially rushing to find someone to take them off his hands so he can re-focus on work, their arrangement changes his outlook on life and familial bonds, forcing him to rethink both his and their futures. Collider’sRoss Bonaimegave the film a 7/10 in his review, praising Green and the cast’s work for adding charm to a tried-and-true family drama setup.Linda Cardellini,Tim Heidecker,Edi Patterson, andToby Hussround out the cast.
Johnson, for his part, has also kept busy of late. The Emmy nominee has remained a regular presence in film and television in recent years withKenan,A Little White Lie, andBook Club: The Next Chapteramong his recent roles. However, Netflix viewers just saw him take part ina gritty revenge thrilleron September 6 withRebel RidgestarringAaron Pierre. Next up for him will beRyan Murphy’s new medical dramaDoctor Odysseywhichhits ABC on September 26.
Nutcrackers
Mike, a workaholic executive, finds himself caring for his four orphaned nephews in rural Ohio. Initially a temporary arrangement, it evolves into a transformative experience for him, challenging his priorities and deepening family bonds.
