Tony Kaye has made one film to successfully reach audiences, 1998's American History X, and ever since then audiences and critics alike have anxiously awaited what he'd offer next. Unfortunately his documentary about the anti-abortion movement, Lake of Fire, saw only limited release, and his latest film Black Water Transit is caught in financing limbo that may keep it from ever being seen.

Undaunted, though, Kaye is moving on with his next project, and a few weeks into filming has finally cast his leading man-- not a moment too soon, right? A press release today announced that Adrien Brody will be starring in Detachment, a drama about a New York City substitute teacher who spends three weeks traveling between several different high schools. Brody plays the teacher, and the impressive cast also includes Marcia Gay Harden, Mad Men's Christina Hendricks, Breaking Bad's Bryan Cranston, Tim Blake Nelson, Lucy Liu, Blythe Danner, James Caan and William Peterson.

Apparently the idea is to make an expose of the American public school system; as producer Austin Stark described it, "Director Tony Kaye’s vision of the American public school system is poignant and unique, and we are thrilled to be working with such a talented cast in bringing this important story to the screen.” Hopefully this one will have a slightly less rocky road to theaters than Black Water Transit and even Lake of Fire, especially since critiques of the educational system need to be fairly timely. Presumably a cast this solid will make it easier for the film to find distribution, but crazier things have happened in the world of independent film, so don't count on anything just yet.