WISE GUYS: Debra Messing is Negotiating a Key Role in Upcoming Mob Film

Debra Messing Close to Securing Role in Mob Movie

Debra Messing has been negotiating a major role in the upcoming Barry Levinson mob drama, Wise Guys.

When people think of Debra Messing, they most likely think of her as, primarily, a comedy star thanks to her fine award-worthy work on the television show, “Will & Grace.” Now, however, the actress may secure a juicy part in the Barry Levinson dramatic film, Wise Guys. If things go as planned, Messing would be playing the role of Bobbie who is the loyal wife to one of Robert De Niro’s two characters in the picture, Frank Costello.

Barry Levinson has crafted many dramatic movies and it would be an interesting casting choice to select a star like Messing who is more widely known for her work as a comedic actress. Messing has appeared in successful dramatic films before such as 2002’s The Mothman Prophecies, but her most remarkable abilities usually seemed to be found in comedy shows and movies. Even as so, though, when Messing appeared in her largest big screen starring vehicle to date, 2005’s The Wedding Date, the results were a mixed bag. That film underperformed at the box-office with just $31 million domestically, had disappointing reviews and scored just a “B” CinemaScore grade which made her fans a little disappointed as she never really branched out into a lot of starring roles on the big screen.

Wise Guys, which will be distributed by Warner Bros., could re-launch Messing’s career as a dramatic actress. The picture is focused on both Frank Costello and Vito Genovese and will be centering in on two different crime families. De Niro will, surprisingly enough, be portraying both Costello and Genovese. Adding Messing to the film in one of its more down-to-earth roles would be a major plus for the picture as Messing has a natural charisma that makes her very relatable to every-day audiences.

Messing currently has a nice little part in the new comedy movie, Bros, which was just released and, sadly, bombed at the box-office despite being one of the funniest movies so far this decade. Messing’s two scenes were among the most amusing in the entire movie. If you haven’t seen Bros yet, please do as it is such a heartwarming and entertaining film.

It seems that Wise Guys most likely could and should add Messing to the cast of the film in the role of Bobbie simply because it would prove, once and for all, Messing’s versatility as an actress. Levinson is one of the heaviest hitting directors in Hollywood working today and won an Oscar for directing 1988’s Best Picture winner, Rain Man. Levinson, Messing and De Niro would be a cinematic dream team and, hopefully, the talks Messing are in to appear in the film will be resolved with her getting the role of Bobbie in the movie.

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