Jack Nicholson hasn’t appeared in a movie in over a decade, but director James L. Brooks wants to change that.
Speaking to PEOPLE, Brooks, 83, who directed Nicholson in 1983 Conditions of tendernessin 1987 Broadcast newsin 1998 It can’t be better and the 2010s How do you knowsays he hopes to get Nicholson on screen again.
“I keep thinking he’s going to itch and scratch it,” says Brooks, who is in touch with the 86-year-old three-time Oscar winner.
How do you know is Nicholson’s latest acting credit, but Brooks says, “My theory is that it’s not his last film.”
When asked if Nicholson is interested in acting again, Brooks says, “I hope so. He is that man.” Nicholson, Brooks adds, is doing “well.”
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The two became close when Brooks made his directorial debut on the Conditions of tenderness, who turns 40 this month. That film “started my relationship with Jack, who is one of the greatest people I’ve ever met in my life,” says Brooks.
Jack Nicholson and James L. Brooks in 2012.
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Brooks has worked in television on series such as The Mary Tyler Moore Showbut he had never directed a film before Conditions of tenderness.
He says Nicholson was more than happy to offer advice. “At the end of the day, you’re just sweating as you go through the day,” says Brooks, who recalls how Nicholson would approach him, saying, “You want to know the best direction you gave today? You want to know the worst direction you gave today?”
Brooks didn’t mind getting feedback from One Flew Over the Cuckoo‘s Nest star. “It was so great,” he says. “I’m in love with a guy. America is in love with that guy. He’s a nice guy.”
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He admits Concepts star Debra Winger for bringing them together in the first place. Burt Reynolds was originally slated to play former astronaut Garrett Breedlove, who plays Shirley MacLaine’s character Aurora Greenway in the film.
But Brooks says Reynolds backed out and Winger gave the script to her friend Nicholson. “When we started talking about the role, she got Jack. I don’t think I could have gotten Jack to read the script without Debra,” he says, adding that Nicholson “wasn’t the easiest guy to get hold of.”
Nicholson won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the role, and he and Brooks worked together three more times over the next several decades. (Nicholson won another Oscar for It can’t be bettertheir third collaboration.)
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James L. Brooks, Shirley MacLaine and Jack Nicholson.
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Although Nicholson hasn’t been acting lately, he was seen out and about earlier this year, at several LA Lakers basketball games, sitting courtside.
Despite Brooks’ hopes of bringing Nicholson back to work, the movie legend just wants to relax, according to actor and podcast host Marc Maron.
Talking to Nicholson’s friend, producer Lou Adler, about a recent episode WTF with Marc Maron, the host said, according to The Wrap , “My friend wanted to put him in the movie. And he talked to him. But Jack’s like, ‘I don’t want to do it.’ He says, ‘You know what I did today? I sat under a tree and read a book.’ ”
Conditions of tenderness will be available Tuesday in 4K Ultra HD as part of the Paramount Presents lineup.
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Source: HIS Education