Jason Schwartzman is joining the cast of The Polka King.
Deadline is breaking the news that the Rushmore actor will be co-starring alongside Jack Black in the true life tale of polka band leader Jan Lewan, who was found guilty of bilking fans out of millions in a ponzi scheme. The film is being based off the 2009 documentary The Man Who Would Be Polka King from directors Joshua Brown and John Mikulak. Deadline’s story also confirmed the previously reported news that Jackie Weaver would be joining the films cast. There is no word as to what part either Schwartzman or Weaver will be playing. Infinitely Polar Bear‘s Maya Forbes and Wally Wolodarsky are writing and directing.
The production is currently gearing up to shoot later this year in Boston. I will admit to a bit of disappointment in that as Lewan’s story mostly unfolded in Northeastern Pennsylvania, not to far from where I am writing this. It would have been fun to have the production in the same locale as the actual events.
Earlier this week, the production recorded the seventeen songs that will be featured in the film over the course of two days. Interestingly enough, Lewan participated in the sessions. How much further his participation with the rest of the movie will extend remains to be seen, but he did give the original documentary filmmakers some pretty wide access.
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