John Waters Wants to Direct Aubrey Plaza in His Next Film

The legendary filmmaker is struggling to secure funding for his adaptation of his novel 'Liarmouth' despite Plaza's attachment to star.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 7:00pm

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A bold, graphic composition using stark, jagged geometric cut-out shapes and heavy black silhouettes to abstractly represent the collaboration between filmmaker John Waters and actress Aubrey Plaza. The image conveys a sense of the transgressive, cult-like spirit of Waters' filmography without using any text or identifiable elements.The iconic filmmaker John Waters struggles to secure funding for a new project with rising star Aubrey Plaza, highlighting the challenges facing auteurs in today's risk-averse Hollywood.Los Angeles Today

Iconic filmmaker John Waters is preparing to celebrate his 80th birthday with a touring show, but he's also hoping to get back behind the camera for one more film. Waters revealed he had optioned the rights to adapt his novel 'Liarmouth' with Aubrey Plaza set to star, but he's been unable to secure the necessary $10 million in funding to make the project a reality. Despite Waters' legendary status and Plaza's star power, the notoriously independent and transgressive director is finding it difficult to get a major studio or streaming platform to back his latest vision.

Why it matters

John Waters is considered one of the most influential and important independent filmmakers of the past 50 years, with a filmography that has pushed boundaries and challenged audiences. His inability to get funding for a new project starring a popular young actress like Aubrey Plaza highlights the challenges facing auteur directors, especially those known for more provocative and adult-oriented content, in the current Hollywood landscape dominated by blockbusters and risk-averse studios.

The details

Waters revealed in an interview with Variety that he had optioned the rights to adapt his novel 'Liarmouth: A Feel-Bad Romance,' a story about a con artist and her incompetent partner in crime whose luggage theft ring falls apart. Waters had written the script with Plaza attached to star, but he's been unable to get the $10 million in funding needed to make the film. Despite Waters' iconic status, with films like 'Hairspray' and 'Pink Flamingos' in the Criterion Collection, and Plaza's rising star power, the project has struggled to find financial backing from major studios or streaming platforms.

  • John Waters is turning 80 years old in 2026.

The players

John Waters

An acclaimed independent filmmaker known as the 'Pope of Trash' for his transgressive and boundary-pushing movies like 'Pink Flamingos' and 'Hairspray.'

Aubrey Plaza

A popular actress known for her roles in films and TV shows like 'Parks and Recreation,' 'Safety Not Guaranteed,' and 'Legion.'

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What they’re saying

“I was going to adapt my first novel 'Liarmouth,' It was optioned. I wrote the script. Aubrey Plaza was going to star, but nobody will give us the money.”

— John Waters, Filmmaker

What’s next

Waters continues to search for funding to bring his adaptation of 'Liarmouth' to the screen with Aubrey Plaza attached to star. The project remains in development limbo as the filmmaker struggles to secure the necessary $10 million budget from a major studio or streaming platform.

The takeaway

John Waters' inability to get funding for a new film, even with a talented young star like Aubrey Plaza attached, highlights the challenges facing auteur directors known for more transgressive and adult-oriented content in the current Hollywood landscape. As studios become increasingly risk-averse, it's becoming harder for legendary independent filmmakers like Waters to get their passion projects made, despite their acclaimed bodies of work.