Shirley MacLaine plays the despised widow with whom Black’s mortician strikes up the unlikely friendship. The strongest performance in this trailer, however, goes to Dazed and Confused alum Matthew McConaughey. I watched until close to the end before realizing his character wasn’t being played by Gary Cole. And I’m still not totally convinced.

Also, Jack Black should totally play a live-action version of The Simpsons’ Yes Guy.

Here’s a first look at Richard Linklater‘s re-teaming with Black in Bernie, and though Black will not be rocking any schools this time around, he will be rocking a pretty creepy nose-neighbor. In the film, he plays a mortician who befriends an old lady played by Shirley MacLaine. And why shouldn’t she befriend him? He looks so dapper in his buttoned collar and he was thoughtful enough to come over with some lotions in a basket. Only true gentleman put the lotion in the basket.

Bernie premieres June 16th at the Los Angeles Film Festival and co-stars Matthew McConaughey and Rip Torn as two other citizens of the loopy Texas town in which the film is based. It’s shaping up to be a Richard Linklater dream ensemble. Some buddy go dust off Wiley Wiggins. (LA Times)

“Gold dust, Dancing Girls, and Long-haired Indians will all collide with this family in search of redemption, salvation and each other. A fairytale world provides the landscape and THE BOOM BOOM ROOM with a heartbeat.  A story of miracles, love and the belief in all that is good gives hope to all who journey into this magical world of wonderment.”

I don’t know what this means, but I cannot wait to see how Christopher Walken fits in. Please let him be playing a “long-haired Indian,” please please please. (via The Playlist)

Jack Black is reteaming with School of Rock director Richard Linklater for Bernie. Shirley MacLaine will also star and mother everyone on set. THR has the deets:

"Bernie" is set in the small town of Carthage, Texas and follows a Renaissance man-community leader-mortician Bernie (Black) who strikes up an unlikely friendship with a wealthy but very particular widow (MacLaine). When he kills her, he goes to great lengths to maintain the illusion that she is still alive.

Is no one seeing the similarities to Weekend at Bernie’s here? You know, the movie where two business executives go visit their boss at his beach house for a weekend, he ends up dying, and they make it look like he’s still alive? This new movie is even called BERNIE. At least change the title! And don’t think Andrew McCarthy won’t call about a cameo. Ever since the failed "Lipstick Jungle" on NBC, he’s been waiting patiently on his couch for an opportunity like this.