Tim Robbins to Direct, Star In Dark Comedy 'Man Under'

Michelle Pfeiffer and Chloe Moretz also star in the film telling the story of a Yonkers family whose lives are changed when a photo of them in a museum makes them celebrities.

Tim Robbins is going to direct and star in Man Under, a dark comedy which will also star Michelle Pfeiffer and Chloe Moretz.

Based on a screenplay by Ann Cherkis, it is being produced by Alexandra Milchan through her company EMJAG Productions, along with Scott Lambert of Film 360 and Aimee Peyronnet.

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The movie is described as being in the vein of American Beauty and The Royal Tenenbaums. It is about a dysfunctional Yonkers, New York family whose lives are changed after a photo of them ends up in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, turning them into celebrities.

It was first set up with producer Scott Rudin at Miramax Films in 2008, but neither Rudin nor Miramax is involved any longer.

Robbins recently starred in the drama Thanks For Sharing, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. He is next scheduled to be seen in the drama Back To 1942 which is set in China, and also has directed episodes of HBO’s Treme.

Robbins was nominated for a Golden Globe last year for HBO’s Cinema Verite and won an Oscar, SAG Award and Golden Globe for is work on Mystic River. He was also nominated for an Oscar and Golden Globe as a director for Dead Man Walking.

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Pfeiffer recently starred in People Like Us and was seen in the feature Dark Shadows, which starred Johnny Depp. She has been nominated for three Academy Awards and six Golden Globe Awards, winning for her critically acclaimed work in The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989).

Moretz most recently starred in Dark Shadows and was in Hugo. She is currently filming the sequel to Kick Ass, reprising her role as Hit Girl, and will next be seen in the MGM remake of Carrie.

Cherkis wrote the 2008 drama The Secret, which went straight to DVD in the U.S.

UTA Independent Film Group is arranging the financing and representing the film for sale.

Robbins is a UTA client and is also represented by manager Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas at 3 Arts. Pfeiffer is represented by CAA, Management 360 and attorney. Moretz is represented by WME, 3 Arts and the law firm Jackoway Tyerman.