Movieline

Does Horrible Bosses Break The Rule of Too Many Movie Stars?

Despite the fact that this was The Slowest News Day of 2010 v.2, there was a bit of somewhat exciting trade news to pass along. The Kevin Spacey comeback tour has found a new stop: Horrible Bosses, the Strangers on a Train-like all-star comedy from director Seth Gordon. Spacey will play one of the titular bosses, alongside Jennifer Aniston and Colin Farrell; line-cutting denier Jason Bateman, Jason Sudekis and Charlie Day will play the three friends conspiring to kill said bosses; Donald Sutherland will show up too; and Jamie Foxx appears as someone named "Motherf*cker Jones," the man who helps the friends consummate their plot. Were Ashton Kutcher and Jessica Alba not available?

For those keeping score at home, Horrible Bosses features two Oscar winners, one of America's Sweethearts, the perpetual Next Big Thing, two up and coming comedy stars, the Everyman of the Moment and a Hollywood icon. That's some firepower for an ostensible small-scale quirky comedy, co-written by Freaks and Geeks star John Francis Daley. In fact, Horrible Bosses -- in cast only -- is starting to feel like one of those heinous all-star rom-com's that fire up the gag reflex. Think: Valentine's Day, the upcoming New Year's Day and Gordon's previous failed attempt at narrative glory, Four Christmases.

And there it is: Horrible Bosses director Seth Gordon is the man responsible for Four Christmases, itself featuring a cast with Reese Witherspoon, Vince Vaughn, Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, Jon Voight, Tim McGraw, Mary Steenburgen, Kristin Chenowith and Jon Favreau. Does the over-abundance of fame mean Horrible Bosses is headed for a similar fate? Hopefully not. But if it stinks, don't say I didn't warn you.

(And for the sake of not ruining the rest of your day, I won't even speculate about the fate of Inception, since -- be honest -- that film seems to have one heavyweight star too many populating its poster...)