The Invention of Lying
| The Invention of Lying | |
 Ricky and Matt in the office. | |
| Directed by | Ricky Gervais Matthew Robinson |
| Produced by | Lynda Obst Oly Obst |
| Written by | Ricky Gervais Matthew Robinson |
| Starring | Ricky Gervais Jennifer Garner |
| Music by | Tim Atack |
| Cinematography | Tim Suhrstedt |
| Edited by | Chris Gill |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures Warner Brothers Pictures |
| Release Dates |  25 September 2009  2009
|
| Running Time | 96 minutes |
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $4,000,000 (estimated) |
| IMDB Profile | |
For the blog created by Ricky Gervais see This Side of the Truth (blog)
The Invention of Lying (formerly This Side of the Truth) is a forthcoming feature film comedy co-written by Ricky Gervais and Matthew Robinson. The pair are also signed on to co-direct the film and Gervais will play the lead role. Shooting begins in spring 2008 and the film is expected to premiere in 2009.
In mid-February an early draft of the script was leaked to several internet sites. The initial responses were very favourable, one website even lauding its potential as an instant classic. Details including some *spoilers* can be found here.
Plot
The Invention of Lying is set in a contemporary world where "there's no such thing as lying, evolution meant we don't lie and I'm the first person who realises I can lie so I'm Superman," says Gervais<ref>This Morning ITV1 -13 November 2007</ref>. In another interview Gervais said, "My character works in the film industry, where actors are really readers who tell completely factual stories. My character's a loser who's about to lose his job, and who's lumbering through the 1300s. All he's got to work with is the Black Death. But once he lies and pretends he's found lost stories, he becomes the greatest storyteller in the world."<ref>Variety.com - 12 September 2007</ref>
Cast
As of the 18th March, in addition to Ricky and Jennifer Garner, also confirmed are Jonah Hill, Jeffrey Tambor, John Hodgeman, Tina Fey, Christopher Guest, Rob Lowe, Louis CK and Jason Bateman. As well as a promised cameo by Stephen Merchant and Shaun "Barry off Eastenders" Williamson, with Barry playing Ricky's dad in a flashback scene. IMDb also lists Karl Pilkington as an actor, and in fact he did have a brief cameo as a caveman in the opening sequence of the film (as discussed on The Culture Show and on the NME Radio Show). However in a video on rickygervais.com, Karl revealed that his appearance was cut out of the film.
Trivia
- This will be Ricky Gervais' second lead role in a Hollywood movie. The first was Ghost Town.
- According to Aintitcool.com, "Matthew Robinson wrote the script (and has since worked with Gervais on it)." <ref>http://www.aintitcool.com/node/34835</ref>
- Producers Lynda Obst and Oly Obst are mother and son.
- A blog featuring updates from Ricky can be found on his website.
References
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