Michael Madsen‘s final leading role is preparing to make the festival rounds as fans, friends and loved ones mourn his passing.
After the actor died July 3 of heart failure at 67, the trailer for Mr. Wonderful reveals a glimpse at Madsen’s emotional performance in the indie drama from director Mark David. Watch it below.
Madsen plays Brian Fenton, a college professor desperately trying to prop up a failing career and steer a wayward son away from drugs and personal ruin, while coming to grips with his own mysterious father’s descent into dementia.
David, who previously worked as DP on several films with Madsen, remembered the actor as “a really sweet guy, warm, funny and such a powerhouse on screen,” adding: “I believed every word he said on camera. I wanted to make more movies with him.”
Writer-producer Daniel Blake Smith added: “His own sister, actress Virginia Madsen called him ‘thunder and velvet … mischief wrapped in tenderness.’ Well, nowhere was that emotional complexity more vividly on display than the vulnerable and deeply emotional work he put into the lead role in our film.”
Madsen stars in Mr. Wonderful alongside Robert Miano, Kate Hodge, Brittany Underwood, Lew Temple, Erik Fellows, Bradley Stryker and Robert Laenen.
Also produced by Pauline Jones, executive producer Scott Stoltz of SCS Studio Filmz has acquired the film for worldwide sales.
