cungar

First off, let me say I'm a big fan of Ricky Gervais. i loved the UK office and have listened to all his podcasts and even his old XFM radio show.

I do not get the attempt to make him a movie star in the US. I don't see him as a lead comedic actor type in the mold of Jim Carrey or Robin Williams which is the direction he's obviously being pushed. I'd rather see him doing some kind of edgy character roles. Preferably in English films.

I mean a romantic-comedy lead with Jennifer Garner? Who is buying that?

The Invention of Lying looks like another twist on Liar Liar. A bad one at that.

Groucho

Have you even seen a trailer for the film? It looks nothing like Liar Liar. Also, he's not just an actor for hire in this. He co-wrote and co-directed.

JediMindTricks

dunno if he's a movie star, but i loved ghost town. (i think that's the title.)

MrSmearkase

Agreed that The Invention of Lying looks nothing like Liar Liar. Also, I don't believe that he is being molded to be the next Carrey or Williams. Who is pushing him in that direction? It seems as though he himself is directly rooted in the conception and development of his movies (Ghost Town aside, although that film perfectly fit his sensibilities). Other than that, I don't see turning up in supporting roles like in Night at the Museum or Stardust as any sort of attempt to break into the mainstream.

I'd also like to see him someday try some edgier fare, whether it be UK or US based, but I hardly see him running on any sort of comedic fumes as it is. It ain't broken, you know the rest

RichC2

Invention of Lying looks nothing at all like Liar Liar, different tone entirely. I also see no correlation between him and Carrey or Williams. He's got his cool, calm and biting wit versus the loud obnoxiousness of the two you mentioned.

Count Dooku

I can't find a link to the story I read, so you'll just have to take my word for it, but (supposedly) there's a lot more depth to The Invention of Lying than the trailers are letting on.

Numanoid

Didn't Gervais declare a few months ago that he wanted to retire from acting and just write and direct (for the very reason the OP gave - that he doesn't see himself as a leading man)?

toddly6666

Gervais just does not fit in the film medium. Watching him is the equivalent of watching John Krasinski (from The Office, USA) in films. Both actors are good on tv, but they just have no charisma or stand out when they are in movies.

cungar

I think this sums up what I was thinking. He worked well in the The Office mockumentary format because he looks like a regular guy.

I noticed they had to really Photoshop his face in this ad.

TimmyBear

Even though his films have been decent, he hasn't been in anything that's really pushed up his stock.

fumanstan

Movie star? Of course not, most people have no idea who the heck he is. I only casually know of him because I like the US version of the Office and know he was responsible for the UK original.

Ginwen

No he's not.

I'm perfectly glad to have him star in movies though. I saw the last one, and I'll probably see the next one.

Breakfast with Girls

If I co-wrote and co-directed a movie, I'd probably put myself opposite Jennifer Garner, too.

Matthew Chmiel

Disagree.

I thought he was great in Ghost Town, but The Invention of Lying and the upcoming Cemetery Junction are his own projects, with the latter being developed alongside collaborator Stephen Merchant.

What's the difference between television and film mediums when the same two guys are involved with both projects? The only difference between an entire season of one of their shows and a full-length movie will only be sixty minutes at most.

Groucho

I agree with the above poster.

-Matthew Chmiel

cungar

When they have a successful film, you can make that claim. Ghost Town made $13 million box office in the US, $26 million worldwide. Like I said, I love Gervais, I just don't think he's a marketable movie actor.

Matthew Chmiel

Who cares? I don't and I'm sure Gervais isn't crying himself to sleep about it.

My post was originally in response to the claim that Gervais doesn't have the charisma to be a leading man in the realm of film. I don't know how you brought success into the mix.

Moving on that point, I don't think Gervais will ever be a successful or marketable actor here in this country. His comedy is too "dry" or "smart" to be picked up by mainstream America. I thought Ghost Town was sweet and I was genuinely surprised by it as was my friend, but I don't know a single other person that saw the movie. While that notion sucks, I don't care; I was able to appreciate it for what it was.

I'm looking forward to The Invention of Lying this weekend based off Dooku's spoiler regarding the plot and I'm sure the film will be DOA at the box office, but that's not going to limit my enjoyment of the film. The only thing that will limit my enjoyment if the film is awful or not (The O's review here wasn't too promising).

lamphorn

He's a decent performer, but it's schtick. He's found a trick that makes people laugh and does it over and over.

Ghost Town was horrendous. Worst movie I've seen in a long time. Not becuase of Gervais, but because of that godawful script that made no sense.

The premise to this one is promising, but I just hope the creative team behind it are completely new people.

Original Desmond

No way Ricky Gervais is a hollywood movie star

I love Ricky, huge fan, but he has NOT cracked the US market yet

Supermallet

He's pretty beloved by people in the industry, though. That doesn't make him a bankable name with the public, but a lot of people who make movies (or greenlight them) have great respect for his talents.

Dr Mabuse

He's so freaking wealthy, and continuing to rake in such major bucks in the entertainment industry, I think he just does what he wants to with movies.

MAN he's loaded.

Looooooooooooooooooooaded.

tylergfoster

I don't think Ricky Gervais could be called a movie star, just an actor. General audiences who went to see Ghost Town and The Invention of Lying are probably going because they liked the trailers, and in the latter case, maybe the other actual movie stars, but mentioning Ricky Gervais by name isn't going to mean a thing to most people or put asses in seats. That's what a movie star is. If you can say to people "let's go see the new [insert name here] movie" to your non-movie-geek friends and they'll agree, then that is a movie star.

I also disagree that The Invention of Lying looks like Liar, Liar either. Of course, I was also adamant that Yes Man wasn't anything like Liar, Liar either, and nobody agreed.