Foursome will profit from ‘Invention’

With Shrink getting out of the theatrical gates later next month [Roadside Attractions – July 24th] its time for Trigger Street and Kevin Spacey to move into their next ‘invention’. A peculiar foursome of players in Craig Robinson, Heather Graham, Johnny Knoxville and Camilla Belle have joined Father of Invention which according to THR begins lensing next week in New Orleans with Trent Cooper helming. While comedy is less flattering than drama for Spacey, his cred will receive a great boost starting with The Men Who Stare at Goats (Grant Heslov) and to be followed by Casino Jack (George Hickenlooper).

Scripted by Cooper, Jonathan Krane and Nichole Beatty, this follows a humble inventor-turned-egomaniacal billionaire (Spacey) who spends eight years in prison when one of his inventions goes awry. Upon release, he is seeks to rebuild his reputation and fortune but finds that easier than salvaging his relationship with his family.

Robinson will play the husband of the former billionaire’s ex-wife who now lives in his house and drives his car and helps Spacey get back on his feet after he gets out of prison. Belle will play his daughter, a social worker hesitant to trust her father, while Graham is her lesbian roommate who sleeps with the father. Knoxville will play a store manager who hires Spacey’s character after his prison stint.

Dana Brunetti, Krane and Ken Barbet are producing alongside Spacey. Scott Lumpkin exec produces.