Idris Elba, Sean Harris, and Kate Dickie Join Ridley Scott’s PROMETHEUS
by Matt Goldberg Posted: February 25th, 2011
Idris Elba (The Wire), Sean Harris (Red Riding Trilogy), and Kate Dickie (Red Road) have joined Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, and Charlize Theron in Ridley Scott’s upcoming sci-fi flick Prometheus. The Daily Mail doesn’t have any details on who Elba, Harris, and Dickie will be playing, and reports that no only did the cast have to sign secrecy clauses, but “were only allowed to read the story if they visited Ridley’s production office.” As we’ve previously reported, Rapace and Theron will play “Elizabeth Shaw” and “Vickers“, respectively, while Fassbender is playing an android.
The intense secrecy surrounding the film has led to speculation that Prometheus is truly an Alien prequel despite Scott’s protestations that only “keen fans will recognize strands of Alien’s DNA.” While we originally took that figuratively (the film started out as Alien prequel), the part about “Alien DNA” could be literal. Hit the jump for more.
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Casting Call: Jimmi Simpson Joins ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER; Kate Mara and Treat Williams Sign on to BLACKBIRD
by Matt Goldberg Posted: February 25th, 2011
We have a couple of quick casting stories for you this morning. First up, Jimmi Simpson (Date Night) has joined the cast of Timur Bekmambetov’s Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter . Variety reports that Simpson will be playing Lincoln’s right-hand man. While I’m sure he’ll do a fine job assisting Lincoln (Benjamin Walker) in his political/vampire-slaying duties, I’ll continue to struggle seeing Simpson as anyone other than the creepy McPoyle brother he plays on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter also stars Anthony Mackie, Dominic Cooper, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead. Shooting is expected to begin next month. The film is due out in 3D on June 22, 2012. Hit the jump for news on Kate Mara and Treat Williams joining Blackbird.
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Jimmi Simpson Added To The Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Cast
published: 2011-02-25 13:59:33 Author: Eric EisenbergLast week Scoot McNairy was made to look like he was becoming one of the busier actors working today. In one fell swoop it he had managed to rope three roles in three major upcoming films including Andrew Dominik's Cogan's Trade; Ridley Scott's Prometheus; and Timur Bekmambetov's Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Now it looks like one of those projects slipped through his fingers. Variety reports that Jimmi Simpson, best known for roles on television shows like It's Always Sunny in Philidelphia and Psych, has joined the cast of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter along side Ben Walker, Dominic Cooper, Anthony Mackie and Mary Elisabeth Winstead. Simpson will play Josh Speed, Abe's best friend and assistant - the role that McNairy was rumored for just a few days ago. Production on the film is scheduled to begin in March and is set to be released in June of next year.
While Simpson has somewhat made a name for himself playing oddball characters (his character on It's Always Sunny, Liam McPoyle, certainly leading the pack), he has previously shown a capacity to play more serious, such as his guest spot on House and his role as a gunman in Date Night. Now the only question is what did Scoot McNairy do to lose the gig? Or did he ever have it?
http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Jimmi-Simpson-Added-To-The-Abraham-Lincoln-Vampire-Hunter-Cast-23367.html
James Franco’s 2011: WHILE WE’RE YOUNG, OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL, and SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH
by Matt Goldberg Posted: February 25th, 2011
James Franco is closing his deal to star in Sam Raimi’s Oz, The Great and Powerful. That’s not really news since we reported last week that Mila Kunis joining the project had basically put Franco on board. The real news in Deadline’s story is how the busy actor’s schedule for 2011 is set to play out. In addition to the press he’ll most likely be doing for his 2011 films Your Highness and Rise of the Apes, he’s got three films set for the year. First up, he’ll costar with Ben Stiller, Greta Gerwig, and Cate Blanchett in Noah Baumbach’s While We’re Young. In the summer he’ll move on to Oz, which is an origin story of the Wizard of Oz and the land’s various witches. Finally, in the late fall/winter he’ll star alongside Nicole Kidman in David Cromer’s revival of the Tenneesse Williams play Sweet Bird of Youth.
Throughout his shooting scheduled he’ll continue working towards getting his PhD in creative writing at Yale. I’ll be pretty busy myself, especially in the fall when a bunch of new video games come out. Sure, Franco may make loads of money, earn tons of awards, and get his doctorate, but will he have solved all of the Riddler’s clues in Batman: Arkham City? I think not.
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