When I think of David Lynch, the first thing that comes to mind is Twin Peaks, The Elephant Man, or Mulholland Drive. Or, of course, the weather reports. That’s all to say, he’s best known as a filmmaker and writer. But as Twin Peaks fans know, he appears in front of the camera from time to time. And he’s about to do so again, with another legendary director at the helm. Variety is reporting that Lynch has joined the cast of Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans.
The film, which Spielberg is directing and co-writing with West Side Story scribe Tony Kushner, is semi-autobiographical in nature. The Fabelmans has a plot loosely based on Spielberg’s upbringing in Arizona, with the character Sammy, played by Gabriel LaBelle, serving as a stand-in for the director. The film also stars Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen, Paul Dano, and Julia Butters.
Williams and Dano play Sammy’s parents, while Rogen portrays Sammy’s uncle and Julia Butters plays his sister, Anne. Lynch’s role in the film is currently under wraps. The Fabelmans marks the first collaboration between the two legendary filmmakers. However, they did almost work together 30 years ago—allegedly. Spielberg was apparently a big fan of Twin Peaks and nearly directed an episode. However, Lynch directed the episode in question—the season two premiere—and the Jaws director never ventured out to Twin Peaks. We’re certainly wondering exactly who Lynch will play. A filmmaker mentor to Sammy? Another member of the Fabelman clan? We’ll find out soon enough.
The film, which has a 2022 release, remains shrouded in secrecy for the moment. However, it’s a long-stated passion project for the director. Spielberg has often spoken of his travails as a young filmmaker—including in a 2017 HBO documentary. But now the director himself has the change to tell that story and he’s bringing it to the big screen—with a star-studded cast, no less. (Take that Dawson Leery!)
The Fabelmans releases in theaters on November 23, 2022.