Limp Bizkit singer Fred Durst, eager to become a movie director, is now eyeing a different project on which to make his debut.
Daily Variety reported on Monday that he would shoot “Life Without Joe,” a thriller described as “Deliverance” for the younger set. But Durst told Daily Variety on Tuesday he wants to launch his career with “Runt.”
“‘Runt’ needs to be done now,” he said. “I made a band so I could direct videos and then direct a movie.”
The $10 million project is the story of a teen who is endlessly taunted and persecuted by a trio of bullying jocks. When they kill his dog, he decides to avenge the loss before realizing he must break the cycle of violence and move forward with his life.
Durst said that he plans to begin pre-production as soon as he returns Stateside at the end of June after a Limp Bizkit tour of Europe. He has directed music videos for Limp Bizkit as well as for Korn, Cold and Staind.
Universal Focus, the arthouse arm of Universal Pictures, will handle the film’s domestic release. David Fincher, the “Seven” director who cut his teeth on music videos for the likes of Madonna and Paula Abdul, will executive produce.
“Life Without Joe” is one of a number of films Durst is in negotiations to direct. The story follows a group of teen football players who stop in a nowhere town, where an odd character accuses them of running over a cat. The teammates soon find themselves running for their lives through backwoods populated by some scary locals.
Another project vying for his attention is “Wannabe” (aka “Hoodfellas”). The film, written by “CSI” creator Anthony Zuiker, is the story of a young man who is injured, loses his chance to become a professional baseball player, returns to his Yonkers neighborhood and gets involved with the Mafia.
Durst intends to promote his productions across all media platforms. This includes Limp Bizkit providing the soundtracks and scores, as well as promoting the projects on the band’s heavily trafficked Web site, on concert tours and through MTV appearances.
