Gillian Jacobs Is SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD; Rob Corddry, Rob Huebel, and Thomas Lennon Join RAPTUREPALOOZA
by Jason Barr Posted: May 17th, 2011 at 6:50 pm
We have a couple of casting bits to bring your way tonight. First up, Community’s Gillian Jacobs has joined Steve Carell and Keira Knightley in Seeking a Friend for the End of the World. Written/directed by Lorene Scafaria (who wrote the film adaptation of Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist), Friend tells the story of a man (Carell) and woman (Knightley) who embark on a trip to locate the former’s high school sweetheart before an oncoming asteroid ends life on Earth as we know it. THR reports that Jacobs’ role will be that of a “waitress high on Ecstasy that the duo meet on their journey” (which sounds eerily similar to the one Lindsay Sloane was in talks for as of last week). The story also confirms earlier reports that William Peterson, Adam Brody, and Rob Corddry will appear in the film. Production on the film began this week in Los Angeles.
Speaking of Rob Corddry, Variety confirms that he, Rob Huebel (Childrens’ Hospital), and Thomas Lennon (Reno 911!) will star in the post-apocalyptic comedy Rapturepalooza. The trio join a cast that already includes Anna Kendrick (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World), John Francis Daley (Bones), and The Office’s Craig Robinson. The promising, albeit low-budget (coming in at less than $2 million), centers on two teens (Kendrick and Daley) who battle their way through the end of the world in order to defeat the Antichrist (Robinson). Paul Middleditch will direct Rapturepalooza for Lionsgate from a script by Chris Matheson.
http://collider.com/gillian-jacobs-seeking-a-friend-for-the-end-of-the-world-rob-corddry-rapturepalooza/91441/
Joel Edgerton Lands THE GREAT GATSBY
by Jason Barr Posted: May 17th, 2011 at 6:03 pm
Joel Edgerton (Animal Kingdom) will play the role of Tom Buchanan in director Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 classic, The Great Gatsby. A few days ago, we reported that Edgerton was considered a top contender for the role alongside Luke Evans (Clash of the Titans). Tonight, Deadline confirms that Edgerton has claimed the significant role (once occupied by Ben Affleck) and will join a cast that already includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, and Isla Fisher. In discussing Edgerton’s casting, Luhrmann credited the actor’s physicality and “five-star acting chops” as deciding factors.
In addition to Gatsby, Edgerton can next be seen alongside Tom Hardy in the action/drama Warrior due out later this year on September 9th. The Aussie actor also stars in the remake of John Carpenter’s The Thing alongside Mary Elizabeth Winstead which is due out October 14th. Production on Gatsby is set to begin this August in Sydney with an unspecified 2012 3D release date in mind.
http://collider.com/joel-edgerton-the-great-gatsby/91435/
Armie Hammer Is THE LONE RANGER
by Jason Barr Posted: May 17th, 2011 at 5:30 pm
Armie Hammer (The Social Network) will star in Disney and producer Jerry Bruckheimer’s adaptation of The Lone Ranger. Variety reports that the actor is in final negotiations to take on the iconic role of “The Lone Ranger” which began as a radio show in the 1930s before being adapted into the massively popular television series in 1949. Hammer will play opposite Johnny Depp who has been attached to the project as the Ranger’s trusty sidekick, Tonto, since 2008. Gore Verbinski (Rango) will direct The Lone Ranger from a script by Justin Haythe (Revolutionary Road).
Production on the film is expected to begin after Depp wraps Tim Burton’s Dark Shadows adaptation which is due out May 11th, 2012. As for Hammer, his stock continues to rise as he has recently locked down the role of the prince alongside Julia Roberts in The Brothers Grimm: Snow White as well as a supporting role in Clint Eastwood’s Herbert Hoover biopic, Hoover.
http://collider.com/armie-hammer-the-lone-ranger-2/91431/
Keanu Reeves Will NOT Star in AKIRA; Film Still in Development
by Jason Barr Posted: May 17th, 2011 at 4:47 pm
Talks between Warner Bros. and Keanu Reeves regarding his role in the studio’s adaptation of the manga-turned-anime, Akira, have come to an end with Reeves passing on the project. JoBlo broke the news of the deceased negotiations earlier today which quickly spawned questions concerning the film’s future at the studio. While I’ll stop short of projecting the film’s long-term outlook, for now we have confirmed the accuracy of the original report with the studio who reassures us that Reeves passing on the role has not killed the project which is set to be directed by Albert Hughes (The Hughes Brothers) from a rewritten script by Steve Kloves (the Harry Potter series).
Although the constant back-and-forth regarding Akira casting may appear to be a bleak sign for the project (a shortlist of names including Robert Pattinson and Chris Pine previously appeared here, with names like James Franco and Zac Efron being rumored here and here), it’s worthy to note that many high-profile/big-budget projects such as this have a difficult time getting off of the ground initially. As such, we should most likely expect Warner Bros. to begin courting another upper-echelon name to attach to the project in the near future. For more on Akira, including a statement from the studio, hit the jump.
http://collider.com/keanu-reeves-akira-2/91421/
