Landis Talks New Film

By Rich Drees

     February 25, 2007- Although ostensibly attending the New York Comic Con to promote the upcoming release of his second season Masters Of Horror episode “Family” in April, Landis chatted with fans about his career including the project he is currently working on.

     “Right now I’m shooting a documentary on Don Rickles,” Landis stated. “We’ll be screening about 50 minutes of finished footage at the Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen next week.”

     Landis explains that the film will cover comedian Rickles and will feature both historic footage and home movies from the comic. The screening will be held on March 1st at which Rickles will be awarded the festival’s first annual Pinnacle Award for career achievement.

     Landis admits that while they will be screening some footage from the film, he still has more to shoot.

     “We’re going to be in Las Vegas next month shooting some of his shows there,” Landis explains.

     Landis, whose credits include both The Blues Brothers (1980) and An American Werewolf In London (1981), is next looking into adapting the off-Broadway, horror-musical comedy hit Batboy for the big screen.

     No release date has been announced for the Don Rickles documentary. It is currently listed on the Comedy Arts Festival website as simply The Rickles Project.