Chris O’Dowd Teams Up with Bill Burr in Heartwarming Comedy ‘Bender’
EXCLUSIVE: Emmy Award winner Chris O’Dowd, known for his role in The IT Crowd, has officially joined comedian Bill Burr in the upcoming coming-of-age comedy, Bender, which is set to film in Ireland this summer.
Described as a blend of Superbad and Derry Girls, Bender draws on the late-1970s post-punk experiences of Adrian Cunningham, who also wrote the screenplay. The plot revolves around the anticipation of a papal visit to Dublin.
In the film, O’Dowd portrays a self-made family man facing the collapse of his business, marriage, and faith amid a severe economic recession.
Burr takes on the role of a rough-around-the-edges American record-store owner who persuades a group of teenage misfits that their best opportunity to lose their virginity before graduation lies in attending a large open-air mass for the visiting Pope.
Previously reported, Burr’s participation in Bender was announced alongside acclaimed director Adam Bernstein, known for Pluribus.
The film is produced by Stephen McCormack of Reflektor Media and Craig Verdon, in collaboration with actress Lesley-Ann Brandt of The Mal Picture Company and Cunningham through Martello Films. Burr is also serving as an executive producer.
O’Dowd, an Irish actor recognized for his roles in Bridesmaids, Get Shorty, and Slumberland, most recently starred in Apple’s The Big Door Prize. He has also appeared in Small Town, Big Story and Black Mirror. Looking ahead, he will feature in two upcoming films from Amazon MGM Studios: the comedy The Sheep Detectives, alongside Hugh Jackman, and the drama Artificial, directed by Luca Guadagnino, which centers on OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
O’Dowd is represented by CAA and 3 Arts Entertainment.
