James L. Brooks Hints At Jack Nicholson’s Acting Comeback

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I’m so excited! James L. Brooks, who’s directed some amazing films, has suggested that Jack Nicholson might be coming out of retirement! It’s been a while – his last movie was the rom-com How Do You Know back in 2010. These two are practically legends together, having made classics like Terms of Endearment, Broadcast News, and As Good as It Gets over the years. Hopefully, we’ll get to see them create something new together soon!

Director Brooks recently told People magazine that he believes Jack Nicholson hasn’t retired from acting. He said Nicholson continues to receive and read scripts, and that it’s likely we’ll see him in a film again. While discussing his latest movie, Ella McCay, Brooks also praised Nicholson as “the greatest actor of his generation.”

Jack Nicholson has won three Academy Awards throughout his career. Two of those wins came in films directed by James Brooks: he won Best Actor for As Good as It Gets and Best Supporting Actor for Terms of Endearment. He also won an Academy Award for Miloš Forman’s 1975 film, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.

Although Jack Nicholson isn’t currently committed to any films, he’s still considering new scripts, which suggests he might act again. After a 15-year break, he’d likely need a really great role to bring him back to the screen.

This isn’t the first time Brooks has mentioned Jack Nicholson possibly returning to acting. He previously told People magazine in 2023 that he believes Nicholson will eventually want to act again, saying, “I keep on thinking he’s going to get itchy and scratch it.” Brooks also doesn’t believe How Do You Know will be Nicholson’s last film.

Debra Winger initially shared the script for Terms of Endearment with Jack Nicholson, successfully convincing him to star alongside Shirley MacLaine. Brooks also discussed what sets Nicholson apart as an actor and makes him a pleasure to collaborate with.

I really didn’t have any options. The actor needed approval from the studio before he could even start, and he was the only one who fit the role. As a new director, I needed a top-tier actor to get the film made, or it simply wouldn’t happen.

He’s a wonderful collaborator. I once asked him for advice – it was one of the most insightful things I’ve ever heard an actor say. I asked what to do when working with someone who wasn’t a strong performer, and he replied that whatever the other actor does, you should accept it as perfect. It’s a beautiful response, and it’s absolutely true.

Brooks says he and Jack Nicholson still stay in contact, and Nicholson is doing great. Brooks was particularly impressed with Nicholson’s recent paintings.

In addition to One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and his many collaborations with Mel Brooks, Jack Nicholson is famous for films like Five Easy Pieces (1970), Chinatown (1974), The Shining (1980), Batman (1989), A Few Good Men (1992), and The Departed (2006).

Critics haven’t been impressed with Ella McCay, giving it a 23% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This is a noticeable difference from the generally positive reception of director Brooks’ previous films featuring Jack Nicholson. The movie stars Emma Mackey, Woody Harrelson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kumail Nanjiani, Ayo Edebiri, and Rebecca Hall.

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2025-12-14 17:45