Director Neil Burger has started gaining momentum in his career with The Return, the first of four films set to follow his successful debut with The Illusionist. The latest project has already garnered the three leads with Rachel McAdams, Michael Peña and Tim Robbins set to star.
Burger not only will helm the pic, but also shares producer credits with David Levien, Brian Koppelman and Rick Schwartz. Burger also co-wrote the screenplay with Dick Wittenborn, a former Saturday Night Live writer. Burger's juggling of duties follows a recently surging trend in Hollywood for more control over the production of features, and is often fraught with disappointment. Burger's adept handling of The Illusionist however, grants credibility to his ability to handle this project.
The story revolves around three soldiers — Collee (McAdams), T.K. (Pena) and Cheever (Robbins) — who return from the Iraq War after suffering injuries and learn that life has moved on without them. They end up on an unexpected road trip across the U.S., with Collee on a mission to bring her boyfriend's guitar back to his family because he saved her life, T.K. seeking confidence to face his wife after a shrapnel injury that threatens his sexual function and middle-aged Cheever planning to hit the casinos in a desperate effort to pay for his son's college tuition. The film sets out to add a current events twist to the classic quest tale. How Burger will specifically address the politically volatile war is yet to be seen.
McAdams is mostly known for her recent work in The Family Stone and Wedding Crashers. She will next appear in Marriage opposite Pierce Brosnan. Peña has been seen in World Trade Center and the upcoming Shooter set for release on March 16, 2007. Robbins is probably best known for his lead role in 1994's The Shawshank Redemption and more recently The Secret Life of Words.
Lionsgate has signed on to distribute the picture with filming set to begin May 1, 2007 on both coasts.