Although the title (and to a certain extent the synopsis) makes it sounds like it should be a prequel to Weekend At Bernie’s, Jack Black and director Richard Linklater are reteaming for a comedy, which is simply titled Bernie. THR reports the news, saying the School Of Rock actor and director will be joined by Shirley MacLaine in the film, with shooting due to begin in October.
The film is ‘set in the small town of Carthage, Texas and follows Renaissance man-community leader-mortician Bernie (Black), who strikes up an unlikely friendship with a wealthy but very particular widow (MacLaine). When he kills her, he goes to great lengths to maintain the illusion that she is still alive.’
It appears the name Bernie will forever be associated with trying to make out people are alive when they’re not, although I assume in this case the connection is intentional. It’s the sort of dark comedy that could suit Black well, or could just be dreadful. We’ll have to wait until next year to see.