James L. Brooks confirms Jack Nicholson’s acting comeback

Jack Nicholson may be ready to return to the big screen after a 15-year break. 

Frequent collaborator James L. Brooks teased the actor’s comeback, hinting that Nicholson has been reading scripts and could soon be seen in a new role.

“Oh, I don’t think he stopped,” Brooks told PEOPLE. “I mean, he’s gotten scripts, he’s reading them, and I’m sure we’ll be seeing them.”

Nicholson’s last movie appearance was in Brooks’ 2010 romantic comedy How Do You Know, which starred Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, and Owen Wilson. 

The actor has remained mostly absent from film since then, aside from a cameo during the SNL50: The Anniversary Special audience in February.

Brooks and Nicholson have a long history of collaboration, including Terms of Endearment (1983), Broadcast News (1987), and As Good As It Gets (1997), films that earned Nicholson two Oscars and Brooks three.

Brooks is returning to directing with Ella McCay, now in theaters, marking his first film since How Do You Know. 

Fans of Nicholson will likely be watching closely to see if the legendary actor picks up a new role under Brooks’ direction once again.

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