Tommy Wiseau -- the writer, director, producer, executive producer and star of The Room -- has revealed a new official trailer for his next feature film, Big Shark.
An apparent Sharknado-esque affair, Big Shark reunites Wiseau with The Room co-star Greg Sestero. The film's latest trailer puts a spotlight on the city of New Orleans and largely centers around an exhibition boxing match. Before long, though, the titular big shark begins wreaking havoc on the coastal city, as it is able to travel on land. As opposed to having legs like Marvel's Jeff the Land Shark, however, this bloodthirsty beast apparently has the power to bring water around with it. Strangely, only about half of the two-minute video is actually of the trailer, with the other half being an advertisement for Tommy Wiseau-brand underwear.
Per the film's official synopsis, Big Shark centers on three firefighters -- George (Sestero), Patrick (Wiseau) and Tim (Isaiah LaBorde) -- who "must save New Orleans from a gigantic shark." Like The Room, the upcoming film is written, directed and produced by Wiseau. The filmmaker/actor debuted the first official trailer for Big Shark in February 2019, though things have largely been radio silent in the four years since.
According to Variety, Big Shark's theatrical rollout is officially slated to begin at the Cinema 21 theater in Portland, Oregon on Sunday, April 2. A number of additional screenings will follow, with tentative plans calling for the film to be shown at the Prytania Theatres at Canal Place in New Orleans on April 28 and April 29; the Balboa Theatre in San Francisco on May 5 and May 6; the Landmark Westwood in Los Angeles on June 2 and June 3; and the Village East by Angelika in New York City on Aug. 10, 11 and 12. The roadshow screenings are expected to last for a total of eight months, with Wiseau planning to appear at each in person. After the fact, Wiseau will release the "Official Final Cut Version" of Big Shark.
Tommy Wiseau's The Room Is a Cult Phenomenon
It was 20 years ago in 2003 that Wiseau initially released The Room. In the years since, the bizarre feature has amassed a massive cult following, and is often regarded as "the Citizen Kane of bad movies." Sestero, one of the film's lead actors, recounted the experience (and his years-long friendship with the enigmatic Wiseau) in his 2013 memoir The Disaster Artist, which was adapted into the Academy Award-nominated 2017 biopic of the same name.
While Big Shark marks the first feature film Wiseau has helmed since The Room, he has been involved in a number of other projects in the interim. For instance, he wrote and directed the 2004 documentary Homeless in America. He also directed and starred in an episode of the Adult Swim sketch comedy show Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, as well as wrote, directed, produced and starred in his own sitcom, The Neighbors. Wiseau even previously reunited with Sestero for the 2018 feature film Best F(r)iends. However, while Wiseau starred in the film opposite Sestero, he was not involved in the writing or directing process. Instead, Best F(r)riends was directed by Justin MacGregor from a screenplay by Sestero.
Coincidentally, the new trailer for Big Shark comes just a couple of weeks after it was confirmed that Better Call Saul star Bob Odenkirk would be taking over Wiseau's role of Johnny for a greenscreen remake of The Room being made to benefit charity. The remake will also feature Sestero, though not in his original role of Mark. Rather, the Disaster Artist author appears to be taking over the role of Chris-R from Dan Janjigian.
Tommy Wiseau's Big Shark premieres at Cinema 21 in Portland, Oregon on April 2.
Source: YouTube; Variety