ViacomCBS' forthcoming streaming service Paramount+ has madeArmie Hammeran offer he couldn’t refuse, as the actor has signed on to star inThe Offer, a limited series about the making of the 1972 classicThe Godfather.
Hammer will play the film’s Oscar-winning producerAl Ruddyin the 10-episode event series, which hails from writerMichael Tolkin, who recently earned an Emmy nomination for Showtime’s acclaimed limited seriesEscape from DannemorastarringBenicio Del Toro,Paul DanoandPatricia Arquette.
Tolkin previously chronicled Hollywood power moves inThe Player, for which he received an Oscar nomination. He’s a good fit for this particular project, which will be based on Ruddy’s extraordinary experience makingThe Godfatherwith directorFrancis Ford Coppola.
Tolkin and Ruddy will both serve as executive producers alongsideNikki Toscano(Hunters) and Emmy winnerLeslie Greif(Hatfields & McCoys). Production is expected to start next year, when CBS All Access will be rebranded as Paramount+ and introduced to major markets such as Australia and Latin America.
Hammer recently starred in the disappointing streaming thrillersRebeccaandWounds, and he’ll soon be seen oppositeGal GadotinKenneth Branagh’s murder mysteryDeath on the Nile. I seem to have a love-hate relationship with Hammer’s work, as I couldn’t standFree Fire,Mine, andSorry Bother to You, but I lovedCall Me By Your NameandHotel Mumbai. For everyThe Lone RangerandMirror Mirror, there’s aNocturnal AnimalsorThe Social Networkon his resume. And I, too, would be down for aMan from U.N.C.L.E.sequel, which is one of his more underrated movies.
If actors were public companies, I’d buy stock in Hammer, who will soon be seen inTaika Waititi’s soccer comedyNext Goal WinsandNicholas Jarecki’s opioid dramaDreamlandwithGary Oldman. Hammer also just signed on to star oppositeMads MikkelseninAmma Asante’s next movieThe Billion Dollar Spy, and he’ll soon begin filmingShotgun WeddingwithJennifer Lopez. Additionally, Hammer is slated to star inSam Esmail’s upcoming Watergate seriesGaslitalongsideSean PennandJulia Roberts, and in 2022, the actor will return to the stage inTracy Letts’ playThe Minutes. He’s a busy boy to say the least, and I know he has no control over the final product, but here’s hopingThe Offeris worth his time.
Meanwhile,Jake GyllenhaalandOscar Isaacare set to star in another making-of-The-Godfatherproject from Oscar-winning directorBarry Levinson, and you canclick herefor more on that indie film.
