According New York Magazine and iFilm, insult comic Lisa Lampanelli will play an aunt in the upcoming coming-of-age film “The Twylight Zones”. “The Sopranos” creator David Chase is directing the film.
Lampanelli revealed the news on Howard Stern’s radio show, saying she’s basically playing Chase’s mother since the film is about his formative years. New York Magazine reached out to Paramount to confirm the news, and they clarified that Lampanelli is playing Chase’s aunt instead of his mother. Lampanelli’s statement could mean that even though she’s playing the aunt, her role is rather maternal in the storyline. The role of Chase’s mom is gong to Molly Price from “Third Watch.” In any event, it will be interesting to see how Lampanelli does with dramatic acting. If the performances by Mo’Nique in “Precious”, Jamie Foxx in “Ray” and Jim Carrey in “I Love You, Phillip Morris” are anything to go by, comedians can more than hold their own against actors and can turn out some award-winning material.
Some up-and-comers are set to star in the film; new stars Jack Huston, John Magaro and Will Brill will play principal roles, and James Gandolfini is rumored to play the father of one of the boys.
The plot of the film, according to IMDB, is that a group a boys growing up in the 1960s come together to form a rock band in the hopes of becoming famous.
The film, which will have music by Steven Van Zandt, is reported to have had principal photography in New York already underway. The film will be released sometime in 2012.
