Stuart Blumberg‘s career really took off last year. While the screenwriter did have good credits to his name (the terminally underrated teen comedy “The Girl Next Door,” and “Keeping the Faith,” starring his good friend Edward Norton), he wasn’t exactly a household name. By the end of the year, that would all radically change and he became the acclaimed screenwriter behind Lisa Cholodenko‘s “The Kids Are All Right,” and shortly thereafter he had earned himself his first Original Screenplay Oscar nomination.
While Blumberg didn’t win, the accolades were all gravy in a very respectable year. The writer soon parlayed that cachet for “Thanks for Sharing,” his feature-length directorial debut. Co-written with Matt Winston, ‘Sharing’ is a comedy centered around three people who become unlikely friends while undergoing a 12-step treatment for sex addiction. Already starring Mark Ruffalo and Tim Robbins, two more have joined the fray, Gwyneth Paltrow and Joely Richardson.
Apparently Paltrow will play a businesswoman who becomes romantically (and presumably sexually) involved with Ruffalo. Known for a role on “The Tudors” and the daughter of Tony Richardson and Vanessa Redgrave, Richardson will play Tim Robbins’ wife (she also has a role in David Fincher‘s version of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” for those keeping score).
Speaking of Norton, he will also serve as an executive producer, as part of his partnership with Blumberg’s Class 5 Films (“Leaves of Grass“). Richardson will be seen next on screen in Roland Emmerich‘s period drama “Anonymous,” while Paltrow will hit screens this Friday as part of the ensemble cast of Soderbergh’s “Contagion.” We’re guessing her small role is going to be a much-discussed one once the public sees it. Apparently she also inadvertently saved a woman’s life on 9/11 too. Hmm, ok then. [Variety]
