The Boys and Scream star Jack Quaid is set to headline a high-concept movie that will also star Prey actress Amber Midthunder. Paramount has acquired the thriller film titled Novocaine, and Villains directors Robert Olsen and Dan Berk are attached to helm the film. Many fans are confused by the name as it is similar to the 2001 film starring Steve Martin and Helena Bonham Carter.
With Novocaine, the filmmakers see the potential to make a franchise like Die Hard or John Wick, which is one of the reasons why Paramount took up this film. The production of the film will begin in April in South Africa.
Jack Quaid And Amber Midthunder Starring Novocaine Set To Begin Production
Jack Quaid will play the central character in Novocaine who has a genetic condition that prevents him from feeling any sort of pain. Quaid’s character, Nathan Caine, realizes the true potential of his condition when he encounters a bank robbery and kidnapping of one of his co-workers. Caine’s greatest liability, his rare condition, becomes one of his greatest strengths in his journey in the film.
According to Deadline, Robert Olsen and Dan Berk will take charge of a script written by Lars Jacobson. Interestingly, the Olsen and Berk duo have previously worked with Paramount as the writers and directors of the streaming film Significant Others. This film reached the studio after Paramount Players won a bidding war.
For Quaid, Novocaine has the potential to make him an action star. The son of Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan gained worldwide recognition for his role as Hughie in The Boys. Quaid later starred in the Scream franchise, and his most recent appearance was in the Oscar-nominated film Oppenheimer. Amber Midthunder was a regular on Legion and made appearances on Banshee and Reservation Dogs. However, her breakout role was Naru in the fifth installment of the Predator franchise, Prey.
Novocaine will be produced jointly by Safehouse Pictures and Infrared, a new production shingle of FilmNation Entertainment. Joby Harold and Tory Tunnell of Safehouse and Drew Simon of Infrared serve as the producers of the film. It remains unclear when the film will hit theaters.
Is Jack Quaid’s Novocaine a Remake of the Helena Bonham Carter Film of 2001?
Apart from the same names, the 2001 film and the announced film have nothing in common. While Jack Quaid’s film is a John Wick-style action thriller, the Steve Martin and Helena Bonham Carter film was a black comedy thriller. The film directed by David Atkins was screened at the 2001 Toronto International Film Festival.
Novocaine (2001) explores the story of a dentist, Dr. Frank, played by Martin, who falls victim to a trap set by his beautiful and seductive new patient, Susan Ivey, played by Carter. The film was shot in just 32 days and was not a great hit among the critics. While some appreciated the stylized making and comedy in the film, many were not impressed with the plodding plot of the film.
Helena Bonham Carter’s Novocaine is now available for streaming on Tubi.
