Dan Stevens will be the latest actor to seek international stardom as he joins the cast of “Eurovision,” the comedy starring Will Ferrell about the long-running global singing competition, an individual with knowledge of the project tells TheWrap.
The “Beauty and the Beast” and “Legion” star Stevens joins Ferrell, Pierce Brosnan and Rachel McAdams in the spoof comedy about the Eurovision Song Contest, the longest running annual international TV song competition that is ripe for parody. “Eurovision” is in production now in the UK and Ireland.
Stevens will star in the film as a Russian contestant on the show opposite Ferrell and McAdams, who play an Icelandic songwriting duo making their case for international stardom. Meanwhile, Brosnan plays Ferrell’s father and “the most handsome man in Iceland.”
Ferrell is co-writing the comedy with Andrew Steele, and “Wedding Crashers” director David Dobkin is directing the feature. Ferrell is also producing with Jessica Elbaum and Chris Henchy for his Gary Sanchez Productions, and Adam McKay is executive producing.
The Eurovision Song Contest is entering into its 64th edition, this year taking place in Tel Aviv, Israel behind the slogan “Dare to Dream.” Participants from over 41 countries (oddly, not just Europe) will compete out of at least 50 eligible nations.
Artists like ABBA, Bucks Fizz and Celine Dion all made their name on the show, and every once in a while a performer is launched to viral fame as a result of their appearance on the program.
Stevens currently stars on the FX series “Legion” and will next be seen in “Lucy in the Sky,” a space drama alongside Natalie Portman. Earlier this year he was seen in “Her Smell” with Elisabeth Moss. Upcoming he also has the films “Call of the Wild,” “The Rental” and “Blithe Spirit.”
Stevens’s casting was first reported by Deadline.