Jay Roach Tallies HBO's 'Recount'

Zap2It.com | August 6, 2007

Jay Roach

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Director fills in for Sydney Pollack

HBO is switching directors on its movie "Recount," with "Meet the Fockers" helmer Jay Roach stepping in for Sydney Pollack.

The movie, set to air next year, dramatizes the Florida recount that tipped the 2000 presidential race to George W. Bush. Pollack signed on to direct in April but is stepping aside for personal reasons, the showbiz trade papers say.

Roach, who's directed all three "Austin Powers" movies and "Meet the Parents," will take over for Pollack, who remains an executive producer of the film. It will be the first TV movie for Roach, who also directed the 2005 comedy concert "Earth to America" for TBS.

"Recount" was written by actor Danny Strong ("Gilmore Girls," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"), who interviewed a number of people involved in the recount before penning the script. No one has been cast yet.

HBO says the film will not take any sides politically but will instead focus on the legal wrangling and back-room dealing that went into the recount. HBO Films president said in announcing the project that it's a "fascinating look at democracy where the rubber meets the road."