Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant Reteam for The Men at the Pru
With Ricky Gervais landing his first headlining role in a Hollywood comedy this fall in David Koepp’s Ghost Town, a lot of fans are wondering if this will mark a major change in his career and the types of projects he takes on. However, even if you didn’t think the trailer for Ghost Town looked all that spectacular, I wouldn’t worry too much — Gervais is still staying true to his roots, and already planning another collaboration with his long-time writing partner Stephen Merchant.
According to The Independent, the two funnymen are teaming up once again for a feature film that sounds a little bit similar to The Office called The Men at the Pru. It will take place in the 1970’s in Gervais’ suburban hometown of Reading, a coming-of-age dramedy about two twenty-somethings who work for the Prudential as building society clerks. The real folks over at The Prudential (now a financial services company) were understandably worried that they would become the focus of a white-collar workplace parody, but Gervais has re-assured them this is not the case. Some have been comparing the idea to the popular AMC series Mad Men, and if it does turn out to be a slick period piece in that vein I think it could be very cool indeed. Then again, who am I kidding… with Gervais and Merchant’s name on the thing I’ll be there no matter what it is!
Comments (6)
Anything they touch is gold.
Posted by Kristal on August 20th, 2008I’ve seen Gervais in the show Extras and that was only watchable. What has he been in that has people all in love with him (I’m not hating I’d just like to be in on it)?
Posted by Ryan M. on August 20th, 2008The British version of The Office is the big one.
Posted by Sean on August 20th, 2008The Office can’t be praised enough. Groundbreaking. Extras is fun, hilarious at times. The first season is pretty boring though, I will agree.
The radio show and subsequent podcast is astounding as well. Steve Merchant is genius.
Posted by Henrik on August 20th, 2008Even though the American version of The Office is funny, the English version is a lot more subtle and a lot less over the top. I hope The Men at the Pru will be in the vein of The Office.
BTW, Stephen’s face in the picture literally makes me nauseus. Nothing against him personally, but he looks really sick or something.
Posted by Matt on August 21st, 2008Leave a Reply