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Most actors need that special guiding hand in the form of a mucho competent director in order to truly hone and zero in on a performance. We’ve all been witness to the special magic that happens when Leonardo DiCaprio teams up with master helmer Martin Scorsese (To wit: The Aviator, The Departed, Shutter Island) or when Brian O’Halloran jockeys a register, any register in a Kevin Smith flick. Certain creative individuals just happen to bring out the bestest in one another. I’m going to assume the same is true for actor Chris Pratt who, when properly paired with a director, is among one of the better comedic talents currently going in film right now, with just enough pathos bubbling underneath his classic Everwood visage to prognosticate even greater heights in his future. Perhaps the search for an apt director has been the fly in the ointment that has, up until now, stalled what looks to be a wry and dark comedy that Pratt is not only acting in, but also producing, The Black Belt.
Per those pugnacious Very Bad Things fanatics over at the ever-lovin’ Hollywood Reporter comes the news this very day that Chris Pratt’s long national nightmare is officially over: Director Paul Briganti – a tour de force of comedy as can be witnessed in a variety of skits he’s brought to life on Saturday Night Live – has officially landed the director’s chair in The Black Belt.
The Black Belt is being touted as a coming-of-age film about a young retiring lad who decides to take up karate with the help and guidance of his wonky uncle, played by Chris Pratt. Think of it as The Karate Kid with Ralph Mouth of Happy Days fame set in the Mr. Miyagi role.
The Black Belt was written on spec by scribe Randall Green and will be produced alongside Jon Schumacher by Pratt through his production shingle Indivisible Productions. Joining in on all of the producing fun and antics will be industry heavyweights Steve Barnett and Alan Powell of Monarch Media. Executive producing will be Vicky Patel, also of Monarch.
In a press release, newly minted director Paul Briganti let loose with a dash of self-aware sarcasm, saying that “It feels odd though that they want me to direct a movie about an anxious nerd, because I was very cool and popular as a kid. No one fact checks these, right?” Well played, Mr. Briganti; well played.
