Movie News

LIFE ON THE ROAD (2016): Ricky Gervais’ “David Brent” Character Gets Feature Film

Ricky Gervais' Life on The Road gets Release Date

Life On The Road Gets 2016 Release Date. Ricky Gervais created on the most iconic modern television characters within the original, superior, incredible The Office (20012003). David Brent is insecure, going through a midlife crisis. He’s overweight, trying desperately to be younger than he is, to fit in with the others. He just wants to be loved, but goes about it in the worst possible ways ever put to television. He is an embarrassment, a boss you’d hate to have, but one you can’t help but love. You root for him, because he’s the definitive underdog: too stupid to be aware.

This character is now getting a feature-film. Well, in 2016 he is. According to Deadline, Open Road Films has acquired the U.S. rights to the film, which has a U.K. release date of August 19, 2016. A wide theatrical release is planned for the U.S. shortly after that.

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According to Deadline,

The pic centers on a documentary crew catching up with Brent — former star of UK hit series The Office and now working as a travelling salesman — as he chases his dream of rock stardom by self-financing a UK tour with his band Foregone Conclusion.

I know why Gervais is going back to his favourite character. He created him, and he loves him. He wants to give him a fond farewell. It’s hard to leave things lie – especially when they’re perfect. The final send-off for the original The Office was one of the most measured, perfectly handled conclusions to a television series I’ve ever seen. The music selection, the final character moments for even the smallest characters, the catharsis we felt for the bigger ones, and a final monologue by David Brent – a truly glorious Christmas Special. It must be difficult, then, to remember how special that time was, and not want to return to it.

According to Gervais via Deadline,

“David Brent getting a big U.S. theatrical release? He can die happy now. (Spoiler alert – he does not die in this movie),” said Gervais today in the announcement by eOne.

Oh well. I guess this is happening. Let’s hope it’s worthy of the original The Office. I doubt this could ever match up, as returning to a well years later rarely works out, and never seems to fit in with the original. It is always, by nature, separate, different, detached. But who knows? I, for one, am at least glad we’ll get to see a few Brent shenanigans again.

Leave your thoughts on Life On The Road below in the comments section. For more Life On The Road photos, videos, and news, visit our Life On The Road Page, subscribe to us by Email, “follow” us on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, or “like” us on Facebook for quick news updates. Life On The Road will be in U.K. theaters on August 19, 2016.

Sources: Deadline, IMDb

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Marco Margaritoff

I grew up in Hamburg to a German father and Ecuadorian mother. Obsessive student of film, Hip-Hop, and stand-up comedy. I love the dark dreambox that is the cinema auditorium. I love mountains and the ocean, but am equally exhilarated by the jungle of the city. I hope to one day create something that hits someone in the brain with thunderous effect.
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