Kumail NanjianiandSam Rockwellwill star inA Guy Walks Into a Bar, a new dark comedy. The film has secured a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement, and will begin filming before the end of the year.Deadlinereports that Nanjiani will play a mild-mannered new father who has a fateful encounter with a mysterious stranger (Rockwell). The two become friends, but Nanjiani soon comes to suspect that Rockwell is harboring a deadly secret.
The film will be directed byGary Fleder(Runaway Jury), who will be directing his first feature since 2013’sJason StathamactionerHomefront.Scott Rosenberg(Con Air,Venom,Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle) will pen the script. It will be a reunion for Fleder and Rosenberg; the two made their respective directorial and screenwriting debuts on 1995’sAndy GarciathrillerThings to Do in Denver When You’re Dead, one of the mid-1990s' manyQuentin Tarantino-esque crime movies.
Who Are the Stars of ‘A Guy Walks Into a Bar’?
A comedian and podcaster, Nanjiani broke out on HBO’sSilicon Valley, then went on to star inThe Big Sick, a romantic comedy based on his relationship with wifeEmily V. Gordon, with whom he co-wrote the script. He has since gone on to star in a number of projects, includingObi-Wan Kenobi,The Boys, andEternals. He also starred in and created Hulu’sWelcome to Chippendales. He can next be seen in the upcomingGhostbusters: Afterlifesequel. The versatile Rockwell struggled with small parts before landing a showy role in 1996’sBox of Moonlight. A number of prominent roles followed, includingThe Green Mile,Confessions of a Dangerous Mind,Iron Man 2, andMoon, culminating with his Best Supporting Actor Oscar win for his performance inThree Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Most recently seen headlining the comedy mysterySee How They Run, he will next appear inMatthew Vaughn’sArgylle.
Fleder, Rosenberg, and Rockwell will produceA Guy Walks Into a BarwithMark Fasanoof Nickel City Pictures,Nadine de Barrosof Fortitude International, andJina Panebiancoof Caliwood Pictures. Nanjiani will executive produce withErica Steinbergand Nickel City’sMatthew Goldberg, Caliwood’sR. Wesley Sierk, III,John D. StraleyandJoseph Panebianco.
A Guy Walks Into a Barwill begin filming later this year in New Jersey. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates, and watch Collider’s interview with Sam Rockwell below.
