Jack Nicholson didn’t really walk away from acting on a grand note with 2010’s How Do You Know, but after seven years he’s reportedly making a comeback by starring in the American remake of Germany’s 2016 Oscar-nominated comedy Toni Erdmann. Kristen Wiig is also set to star opposite Jack Nicholson.
Variety’s sources broke the news, mentioning Paramount Pictures would be distributing, although the studio has made no comment on the project as of this time. Furthermore, the original director Maren Ade has signed on as an executive producer, while Adam McKay, Will Ferrell, and Jessica Elbaum will produce.
Winfried doesn’t see much of his working daughter Ines. The suddenly student-less music teacher decides to surprise her with a visit after the death of his old dog. It’s an awkward move because serious career woman Ines is working on an important project as a corporate strategist in Bucharest. The geographical change doesn’t help the two to see more eye to eye. Practical joker Winfried loves to annoy his daughter with corny pranks. Even worse are his little jabs at her routine lifestyle of long meetings, hotel bars and performance reports. Father and daughter reach an impasse, and Winfried agrees to return home to Germany.
Enter ashy Toni Erdmann, Winfried’s smooth-talking alter ego. Disguised in a tacky suit, weird wig and even weirder fake teeth, Toni barges into Ines’ professional life, claiming to be her CEO’s life coach. As Toni, Winfried is bolder and doesn’t hold back, but Ines meets the challenge. The harder they push, the closer they become, and in all the madness, Ines slowly begins to understand that her eccentric father might deserve a place in her life after all.
Toni Erdmann is currently in theaters. Read our review here.
Originally published February 8, 2017. Updated April 16, 2018.
