An alert EMUTalk.org reader sent me information about an article in the current Inside HigherEd about a forthcoming movie called Tenure, which will apparently star Luke Wilson. Here’s a quote describing the project:
Blowtorch Entertainment will next month begin filming on “Tenure,” which is about a college professor coming up for tenure (Luke Wilson) and facing off against a female rival who recently arrived at (fictional) Grey College. (The part of the institution will be played by Bryn Mawr College, where the movie will be shot.) David Koechner will play the professorial sidekick to the Wilson character, and the production company is planning kickoff events next year to promote the film in college towns.
Brendan McDonald, the producer, said that he viewed academe as “one of the interesting worlds to explore” and said that he viewed the project as “lampooning the tenure process.”
To make another movie reference (namely, a line from every character in the Star Wars movies), I’ve got a bad feeling about this. Those feelings are summed up with this passage in the article:
Addy N., the blogger whose recent promotion made moot the blog title What an Untenured College Professor Shouldn’t Be Doing, said via e-mail: “I guess the problem I’ll have with the movie is that it will be what Hollywood thinks the process should be like, rather than what really happens. I guess if they told the real story it wouldn’t be as entertaining, though. There would be lots of people sitting at computers writing papers and grant proposals.” If the producers “make the movie in a way that the masses will enjoy,” then “we academics will say ‘that’s not how it works.’ “
I am looking forward to the trailer at least.
