In the first half of last year, we shared the news that Oscar winner Alexander Payne would be taking the helm of a "darkly comedic psychological thriller" called THE MENU, which had Emma Stone in talks to star as one-half of an A-list couple and Ralph Fiennes set to play "globally-celebrated chef" who has developed an "eccentric culinary event" and "added a few secret, and potentially nefarious, ingredients to his extravagant menu." But if you were excited to see that version of THE MENU, we have to break some bad news to you: due to scheduling conflicts, Payne and Stone both left the project, and it sounds like Fiennes dropped out as well.
The good news is, THE MENU is still going to be made, and the project has now found its replacement director. Mark Mylod has signed on to direct the film.
Mylod has twenty-five years of credits to his name and primarily works in television, having directed episodes of Game of Thrones, Succession, Shameless (the British and American versions), and Entourage. Among the films he has directed are ALI G INDAHOUSE and WHAT'S YOUR NUMBER?
Written by Will Tracy and Seth Reiss, THE MENU is
set in the world of high-end culinary culture. The story centers on a young couple who visits an exclusive destination restaurant on a remote island where the acclaimed chef has prepared a lavish tasting menu, along with some shocking surprises.
The film is being produced by Adam McKay and Betsy Koch. Will Ferrell had previously been named as a producer, but he is not mentioned in the announcement of Mylod's involvement. DanTram Nguyen and Zahra Phillips are overseeing the project for Searchlight.
I was looking forward to seeing Payne's take on this concept, but I have hope that it will turn out to be a fun movie anyway.
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