by Matt Goldberg Posted: May 12th, 2011 at 12:58 pm
Robert De Niro, Diane Keaton, Katherine Heigl, and Amanda Seyfried are set to star in the indie comedy Gently Down the Stream for writer-director Justin Zackham (The Bucket List). According to Variety, “De Niro and Keaton play a long-divorced couple who, for the sake of their adopted son’s wedding and his biological mother, pretend they are still married. They quickly learn that acting the part isn’t easy, especially when their past, present and future unravel for all to see.” While all these actors have done good work (and in De Niro and Keaton’s case, unforgettable work) in the past, these days the presence of De Niro and Heigl is like putting a giant “Warning: This Movie Will Likely Be Terrible” sign on the poster. You can dismiss my negativity, but how many terrible films do you need to see them in before you say “I see a disturbing pattern developing.”
But hey, maybe this will break the streak. Now Lucy, get ready for me to kick that football. Production begins this July in Greenwich, Connecticut.
http://collider.com/de-niro-keaton-heigl-seyfried-gently-down-the-stream/90510/
Andrew Niccol Once Again Set to Direct THE HOST
by Matt Goldberg Posted: May 12th, 2011 at 2:15 pm
Andrew Niccol (Gattaca) was once attached to write and direct the adaptation of Stephanie Meyer’s novel The Host. However, while Niccol completed the screenplay, he decided to make his next directorial feature the sci-fi flick Next (formerly titled I’M.Mortal, then titled Now, and according to Deadline, now titled “Next“). But with shooting on Next completed, Niccol has now returned to The Host and will direct from his original screenplay. As we previously reported, Saoirse Ronan has signed on to star as Melanie Stryder, a young freedom fighter in a post-apocalyptic Earth who’s implanted with an alien life form known as a “Soul”. The “Soul” (named “Wanderer”) wants the location of the woman’s compatriots, but instead begins to become overwhelmed with Melanie’s memories and emotions and starts to connect with her host’s old life, including a romantic entanglement with Melanie’s boyfriend. I’ll leave it for you to decide if that counts as cheating on the boyfriend’s part.
Niccol’s Next or Now or whatever-the-hell-it’s-called stars Amanda Seyfried, Justin Timberlake, and Cillian Murphy and is set to open on October 28th. The Host is currently picking up financing at Cannes. Hit the jump for a synopsis of the novel.
http://collider.com/andrew-niccol-direct-the-host/90520/
Casting Call: Penelope Cruz and Emile Hirsch Are TWICE BORN; Jeff Garlin and Mary Lynn Rajskub Join SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED; Three More to SKINNY DIP
by Jackson Cresswell Posted: May 12th, 2011 at 2:43 pm
We have three bits of casting news to bring you way this afternoon. First up, writer/director Sergio Castellitto (perhaps best-known to American audiences for his role as Miraz in Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian) added a pair of A-list names to his latest project. According to ScreenDaily, Penelope Cruz and Emile Hirsch have agreed to star in Venuto al Mondo aka Twice Born for our English-speaking readers. The film, a drama based on a novel, tells the story of a single mother (probably played by Cruz) who brings her son to Saravejo, where his father died fighting in the Bosnian war years ago. There’s no word yet on what role Hirsch will play, but expect it to be a major one.
Next, and on a more comedic note, Jeff Garlin (Curb Your Enthusiasm) and Mary Lynn Rajskub, whose probably best-known for her role as Chloe on 24 have joined the growing cast of Safety Not Guaranteed, along with lesser-known actors Lynn Shelton, Karan Soni, and Jenica Bergere. Safety not Guaranteed is based on a true story… well, a true classified ad and tells the story of three reporters investigating an ad seeking a partner for a time traveling mission. According to the press release, one of the investigators(Aubrey Plaza) develops feelings for the “paranoid but compelling loner.” Big Beach, the company behind Little Miss Sunshine is producing along with the Duplass Bros.
For our final piece of casting news, hit the jump to learn about Pam Grier, Michael Madsen, and Brigitte Nelson joining Skinny Dip.
http://collider.com/penelope-cruz-emile-hirsch-twice-born-jeff-garlin-mary-lynn-rajskub-safety-not-guaranteed-skinny-dip/90521/
