American Pie star Jason Biggs is trading in the franchise’s raunchy laughs for his directorial debut. The Orange Is the New Black actor is stepping behind the camera for a new Coen Brothers-inspired thriller called Untitled Home Invasion Romance. Biggs also stars in the darkly funny film alongside Meghan Rath, Anna Konkle, Justin H. Min, and Arturo Castro.
While speaking with Variety, Biggs delved into what uninspired his choices in directing the romantic getaway-gone-wrong, citing the Coen Brothers’ thrillers, which include classics like Fargo and No Country for Old Men. The actor-turned-director also admitted he’s ready to “work a little more behind the camera.”
“They are my favorite filmmakers. When I first read the script, I thought: ‘Oh, this is also happening in that kind of world.’ I mean, I am not a Coen brother, obviously. But they’re always my reference point.”
The plot sees Kevin (Biggs) and his wife Suzie (Rath) going through a separation when a trip to save the marriage goes horribly wrong, thanks to an inept plan that spirals out of control. Biggs describes it as “a dark comedy about two people who don’t really know each other and, well, things are revealed.” While he directs and costars, the American Pie star paints Rath’s Suzie as the protagonist, stating, “It’s really her movie.” The official synopsis for Untitled Home Invasion Romance reads:
As a last-ditch attempt to save his failing marriage, an actor stages a home invasion during a romantic getaway weekend.
Jason Biggs isn’t letting ‘American Pie’ Define His Career
While Biggs has returned to the American Pie franchise over the years, he has also made unique choices in his career, such as the lauded drama Orange Is the New Black and the 2020 film The Subject, in which he plays a documentary filmmaker who becomes the unwilling subject of a watchful eye following his last project. Before directing Untitled Home Invasion Romance, he was attached to helm a film with a raunchy tone akin to his comedy franchise, but chose to be true to himself.
“It’s different than American Pie. I was briefly attached to direct a film that was a little bit more like it, but ultimately decided against it. I love the American Pie films and I love that kind of comedy, and I feel that I could have directed it very well. But this is darker, more unexpected and edgier. It’s more in line with the kinds of movies I’m watching right now.”
Biggs’ career is likely to see him making interesting acting choices, with his newfound love of directing sure to round out his resume in bold directions. Untitled Home Invasion Romance currently doesn’t have a release date, with it playing the festival circuit. Still, Republic Pictures acquired the global rights in October, meaning a release for general audiences in theaters or on streaming could be forthcoming. Biggs hasn’t lined up his next directing project yet, but the multi-hyphenate talent is grateful for the crude comedy franchise that launched his career and where it could go from here, saying:
“I’m just grateful that 27 years after we made ‘American Pie,’ I’m still here. And I’ve directed a movie.”
- Birthname
-
Jason Matthew Biggs
- Birthdate
-
May 12, 1978
- Birthplace
-
Pompton Plains, New Jersey, USA