Meryl Streep to Reteam with Director David Frankel for GREAT HOPE SPRINGS
by Matt Goldberg Posted: February 8th, 2011
Last year, we reported that Meryl Streep was circling Great Hope Springs with Mike Nicholas at the helm. The story “follows a middle-aged couple who after thirty years of marriage attend an intense counseling weekend to examine the intimacy issues that are threatening their marriage.” Today, we’ve received a press release announcing that Streep is in final negotiations to take the role, but that it won’t be with Nichols in the director’s chair. Instead, the film is now being helmed by David Frankel who directed Streep in The Devil Wears Prada.
The press release makes no mention of James Gandolfini or Philip Seymour Hoffman, who were rumored to play Streep’s husband and therapist, respectively. Hit the jump for the full press release.
Richard Jenkins Joins COGAN’S TRADE
by Matt Goldberg Posted: February 8th, 2011
The cast for Andrew Dominik’s adaptation of Cogan’s Trade is becoming even more impressive. The film already stars Brad Pitt, James Gandolfini, Sam Rockwell, rising star Bella Heathcote, and now the great Richard Jenkins has joined the picture. Pitt is set to play Jackie Cogan, “a professional enforcer who investigates a heist that takes place during a high-stakes poker game held under the protection of the mob.” According to Variety, “Jenkins will play a lawyer who relays inside information about the card game.” Filming is set to begin later this month in New Orleans.
Jenkins will be seen later this year in Hall Pass, Friends with Benefits, and The Rum Diary. He’s also in talks to play a nun in the Farrelly Brothers’ adaptation of The Three Stooges. Hit the jump for a synopsis of Cogan’s Trade.
Famke Janssen Signs on for HANSEL & GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS Starring Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton
by Matt Goldberg Posted: February 8th, 2011
Famke Janssen has joined the cast of Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters. The re-imagining of the Grimm fairy tale that has the brother and sister (played by Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton) as adults who survived their encounter at the gingerbread house and have become full-time witch-slayers. The script is from All You Need Is Kill screenwriter D.W. Harper, and Tommy Wirkola (Dead Snow) will direct. The Playlist originally confirmed the casting, and Deadline reports that Janssen will play the leader of the witches.
Filming is slated to begin March 7th in order to accommodate the small window of time in Renner’s schedule when he’s wrapped on Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol but hasn’t yet begun work on The Avengers.
