Ben Stiller Sets Next Role Alongside Jake Johnson in Sports Comedy

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As a long-time cinema enthusiast with a soft spot for Ben Stiller’s quirky charm and versatile talent, I couldn’t be more thrilled about his upcoming roles! It seems that Ben is back in full swing, ready to grace our screens once again.

Following several years primarily focused on producing the critically acclaimed Apple drama “Severance”, Ben Stiller is once again stepping into the spotlight as an actor. He’s slated to appear in Hulu’s upcoming dark comedy “Nutcrackers”, due for release later this year on the streaming platform. Interestingly, his next role has already been confirmed. In “The Dink”, Ben Stiller will share screen time with Jake Johnson, known for his roles in “New Girl” and “Spider-Verse”. This marks a return to a genre that’s well within the comfort zone of the star who rose to fame in “Dodgeball: A True Underdog”.

Based on various trade sources, it’s been revealed that Ben Stiller is both producing and acting in a supporting role in the upcoming sports comedy titled “The Dink”. In this film, Jake Johnson will take on the lead character. This story revolves around a washed-up tennis pro, portrayed by Johnson, who is compelled to break his one rule – playing pickleball – for a noble cause. Alongside Stiller, the cast includes Mary Steenburgen, Ed Harris, and professional tennis player Andy Roddick. Josh Greenbaum, who recently finished directing the Netflix documentary “Will & Harper” featuring Will Ferrell, is helming “The Dink”. This week sees the release of “Will & Harper”. Here’s a brief summary of “The Dink”:

“The Dink follows a washed-up tennis pro (Johnson) who, in trying to save a club in crisis and win his father’s respect, is forced to break a solemn vow and do the one thing he swore he’d never do: play pickleball.”

Ben Stiller Gets Busier By the Day

In the run-up to Ben Stiller’s return to sports comedy with “The Dink“, he will first take on the role of a dedicated workaholic in David Gordon Green’s “Nutcrackers“. This change of genre provides a breath of fresh air for both the actor and the filmmakers. The opportunity for this project arose during the industry union strikes in 2023, making “Nutcrackers” the sole production Stiller and Green (having recently completed the new Halloween trilogy) were authorized to work on. The story follows Stiller’s character as he is compelled to leave his bustling urban environment to care for his orphaned nephews, the four Janson brothers – Homer, Ulysses, Arlo, and Atlas – who reside on a farm with a variety of animals. Described as a tragic comedy, “Nutcrackers” sees Stiller revisit a genre that seems tailor-made for him and could generate award-winning recognition.

Over the past few years, Stiller has primarily taken on minor roles following the release of Zoolander 2, a box office flop, with appearances such as those in Adam Sandler’s Hubie Halloween and others. Despite this, he’s been quite active behind the scenes, producing successful shows like Severance for Apple TV+ and In the Dark on The CW, which ran four seasons. Apart from Nutcrackers and The Dink, Stiller’s acting schedule remains relatively light, potentially paving the way for a long-awaited Tropic Thunder sequel. However, given that Severance is still airing, it seems unlikely that Stiller will direct another feature film soon. Regardless, whenever he returns to the big screen, it feels like we’re receiving more from this renowned actor-director, this time focusing on his acting talents.

The Dink
does not have a release date.

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2024-09-25 23:07