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Variety is reporting Josh Gad has closed a deal to play the legendary film critic Roger Ebert in the STX Entertainment comedy “ Russ & Roger .” Will Ferrell is on board to play sexploitation maestro Russ Meyer , with Michael Winterbottom directing. Gad had been in talks to star for some time, contingent on scheduling. A debauched comedy in which truth is crazier than fiction, the film is an outrageous look at two no-holds-barred outsiders who defied the Hollywood establishment to make one of the first X-rated films ever released by a major movie studio (“Beyond the Valley of the Dolls”) — having the party of a lifetime in the process. The film is being produced by Mark Amin’s Sobini Films and David Permut’s Permut Presentations along with Richard Waltzer. The script was penned by Emmy-winning “Saturday Night Live” and “The Simpsons” scribe Christopher Cluess, with Winterbottom, Neil Gibbons and Rob Gibbons doing a polish. Production is set to start later this year. Gad...

Join us tomorrow afternoon for a Reddit AMA with Chaz Ebert and Steve James on behalf of LIFE ITSELF ! Where: http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/ When: Tuesday, July 1st at 1-2:30pm PT / 3-4:30pm CT Magnolia Pictures will release LIFE ITSELF on iTunes/OnDemand and in theaters July 4, 2014. Directed by Steve James Starring Roger Ebert Acclaimed director Steve James (Hoop Dreams) and executive producers Martin Scorsese (The Departed) and Steven Zaillian (Moneyball) present LIFE ITSELF, a documentary film that recounts the inspiring and entertaining life of world-renowned film critic and social commentator Roger Ebert – a story that is by turns personal, funny, painful, and transcendent. Based on his bestselling memoir of the same name, LIFE ITSELF explores the legacy of Roger Ebert’s life, from his Pulitzer Prize-winning film criticism at the Chicago Sun-Times to becoming one of the most influential cultural voices in America. For more info: Official Site: http://www.magpi...

COME CELEBRATE ROGER EBERT'S BIRTHDAY WITH A GOOGLE+ HANGOUT FOR " LIFE ITSELF " Magnolia Pictures will release LIFE ITSELF on iTunes/OnDemand and in theaters July 4, 2014. Hangout with us Wednesday, June 18, on Roger Ebert's Birthday and you may leave with tickets to the Los Angeles, Chicago, or New York Premieres of " Life Itself "! It's Roger's birthday, but YOU may be the lucky person to end up with a major prize! This Wednesday, June 18, is Roger's birthday, and we are personally inviting you to help us celebrate him and the new movie about him. Along with RogerEbert.com, Chaz Ebert is hosting a major event on Google+ Hangout. She will be joined by the award-winning director of "Life Itself," Steve James. The Hangout will be moderated by editor-in-chief of RogerEbert.com, Matt Zoller Seitz and will include members of The Ebert Club, Indiegogo supporters of the movie, and surprise guests. We will have a lively discussion...

The poignant and powerful documentary about Roger Ebert separates the myth from the man. One of my earliest memories is sitting in front of a 13" black and white television in my bedroom, watching PBS' Sneak Previews with film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert raving about Christopher Reeve in Superman. We had never seen anything like this before, and the effect they would have on both the industry and moviegoers was profound. The Steve James documentary Life Itself puts that into perspective, crafting a personal and powerful story that's at once difficult to watch but important in its message. Given unfettered access to what would be Ebert's final four months, James set out to record the life and times of Hollywood's most powerful film critic. The images of Ebert's last months are stunning: missing most of his jaw and confined to a wheelchair for long periods, he's undetermined and feisty as ever, joking with medical staff as they painfully d...

Watch the trailer for the 2014 Cannes Film Festival Selection, LIFE ITSELF starring Roger Ebert . Acclaimed director Steve James (Hoop Dreams) and executive producers Martin Scorsese (The Departed) and Steven Zaillian (Moneyball) present LIFE ITSELF , a documentary film that recounts the inspiring and entertaining life of world-renowned film critic and social commentator Roger Ebert – a story that is by turns personal, funny, painful, and transcendent. Based on his bestselling memoir of the same name, LIFE ITSELF explores the legacy of Roger Ebert’s life, from his Pulitzer Prize-winning film criticism at the Chicago Sun-Times to becoming one of the most influential cultural voices in America. Magnolia Pictures will release LIFE ITSELF on iTunes/OnDemand and in theaters July 4, 2014. Please Leave A Comment-