Dov Geller Plans Return to Cinema with 'King of the Road 2'

Veteran Israeli actor, comedian, and director Dov Geller, a prominent figure in Israeli culture for decades, is planning a return to filmmaking after a more than 30-year hiatus. Geller, known for his roles in 'Nikuuim Rosh,' 'Chassamba and the Runaways,' and 'Queen of the Road,' as well as writing, directing, and starring in 'King of the Road' and 'D.Z. Eilat,' discussed his career and future plans in an interview on the 'Cinema Sho't' podcast.

Geller's creative drive began in childhood, stemming from a musical family, but he initially studied electronics and served in Unit 8200. His acting career took off during his military service in the Northern Command band, where he found he was comfortable on camera. He went on to star in films like Menachem Golan's 'Queen of the Road' and Yoel Zilberg's 'Chassamba and the Runaways,' a role particularly meaningful to him as he was a fan of the books as a child. Zilberg and author Yigal Mossinson even expanded his character, Ehud the Fat, specifically for him.

Another significant chapter was his involvement in the iconic satire show 'Nikuuim Rosh,' which he described as a mission to deliver criticism out of love for the country. The demanding work required actors to quickly memorize complex texts written by Ephraim Sidon, B. Michael, and Kobi Niv without teleprompters.

In the late 1980s, Geller transitioned to directing with 'King of the Road,' a project he co-wrote and insisted on directing himself, despite initial offers from Menachem Golan to make him an international star. The film's success, reportedly outperforming 'Rambo III' at the Israeli box office, led to immediate requests for a sequel, but Geller opted instead to write, direct, and star in 'D.Z. Eilat.' The latter film was marred by piracy shortly after its release, which Geller described as a devastating blow.

Following these directorial efforts, Geller largely disappeared from the big screen, though he continued acting in theater and children's shows. He attributes his long absence from filmmaking to a lack of 'burning desire.' However, the COVID-19 pandemic reignited his creative spark, leading him to write a children's book and a new screenplay for a 'suspense comedy' that he plans to direct and star in, with production expected soon. Concurrently, Geller is developing a sequel to 'King of the Road,' feeling that he now has a compelling idea that justifies revisiting the cult classic. He expresses a renewed sense of energy, aiming to produce multiple films in the coming years, inspired by veteran creators like Clint Eastwood and Mel Brooks.