***Casting Call: Skylar Astin and Justin Chon in Talks for 21 AND OVER; Riki Lindhome Joins FUN SIZE ***Jennifer Lopez in Talks for PARKER and WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING ***Megan Fox and John C. Reilly Join Sacha Baron Cohen’s THE DICTATOR ***First Trailer and Poster for FOOTLOOSE Remake

Casting Call: Skylar Astin and Justin Chon in Talks for 21 AND OVER; Riki Lindhome Joins FUN SIZE

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: June 21st, 2011

Skylar Astin (Taking Woodstock) and Justin Chon (The Twilight Saga: Eclipse) are in talks to join Miles Teller (Rabbit Hole) in the comedy 21 and Over.  Variety provides the logline:

[21 and Over] follows two childhood friends who drag their straight-arrow buddy out to celebrate his 21st birthday the night before an all-important med school interview. As one beer leads to another, the evening spirals into an epic misadventure of debauchery and mayhem.

Chon will play the birthday boy; Teller and Astin will play the bad influences. Production on the directorial debut of The Hangover writers Jon Lucas and Scott Moore is scheduled for later this summer.  Todd Lieberman and David Hoberman of Mandeville Films are teaming with Relativity Media to produce.

Hit the jump for details on Riki Lindhome’s role in Fun Size. http://collider.com/justin-chon-21-and-over-riki-lindhome-fun-size/97968/

Jennifer Lopez in Talks for PARKER and WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: June 21st, 2011

Jennifer Lopez is in talks to star in two films, Parker and What to Expect When You’re Expecting.  Jason Statham stars as the titular thief with a strict moral code in Parker, based on the Donald Westlake mystery novels that feature the character.  Lopez is eying the female lead, Leslie, a woman who gets involved with Parker during a heist.  Taylor Hackford (Love Ranch) will direct from a script John J. McLaughlin (Carnivàle) with the goal of launching an action franchise.  Production is scheduled for August.

Lopez is in negotiations with Lionsgate to play Holly, a supporting role, in What to Expect When You’re Expecting.  Cameron Diaz and Matthew Morrison star in the film, directed by Kirk Jones (Nanny McPhee).  Expect What to Expect in theaters May 11, 2012.  The script, said to be a romantic comedy in the style of Love Actually, is based on the bestselling book that informs mothers-to-be on all things pregnancy.  Read a description of the contents after the jump. http://collider.com/jennifer-lopez-parker-what-to-expect/97961/

Megan Fox and John C. Reilly Join Sacha Baron Cohen’s THE DICTATOR

by Phil Brown    Posted: June 21st, 2011

Megan Fox may not be shaking her booty in front of exploding robots and rotating cameras next week in Transformers: Dark of the Moon, but it looks like she’s managed to keep her career going anyways (A hot girl succeeding in Hollywood? How’s that possible?). It’s been announced that both Fox and John C. Reilly will be bringing their various assets to the upcoming Sacha Baron Cohen comedy The Dictator, which is currently shooting in New York. Security is tight and little has been revealed about the film beyond Cohen’s comically large beard, but the cast is looking pretty impressive with support work also coming from Anna Farris and Sir Ben Kingsley. Hit the jump for more on the project.

http://collider.com/megan-fox-the-dictator-john-c-reilly/97936/

First Trailer and Poster for FOOTLOOSE Remake

by Jason Barr    Posted: June 21st, 2011

The first trailer and poster for director Craig Brewer’s (Black Snake Moan) Footloose remake are now available online. Featuring some nifty dance moves and a “Debbie Downer” turn from Dennis Quaid, the film looks to have plenty of style and hopefully enough substance to pacify moviegoers looking for more than a rurally set Step Up. Kenny Wormald, Julianne Hough, and Andie MacDowell star alongside Quaid in the pic which aims to update Kevin Bacon’s 1984 original about a city boy who moves to a small town where dancing (which is apparently his number one skill) is outlawed.

Check out the trailer and poster after the jump. Footloose hits theaters on October 14th. http://collider.com/footloose-movie-trailer-poster/97928/

***Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin to Star in Jason Reitman’s LABOR DAY ***Paul Bettany Up for Role of Javert Opposite Hugh Jackman in LES MISERABLES; Chelsea Handler Joins Josh Schwartz’s FUN SIZE ***Set Photos from THE DICTATOR Starring Sacha Baron Cohen ***Hugh Jackman in Talks to Star in Tom Hooper’s LES MISERABLES

Set Photos from THE DICTATOR Starring Sacha Baron Cohen

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: June 16th, 2011

Some new set images have emerged from the new Sacha Baron Cohen comedy The Dictator. We got our first official look at Cohen in the titular role last week, and today’s set photos show that we’re in store for another very crazy character, as they capture him competing in a track race while utilizing a pistol to ensure that he’s the winner. The comedy “tells the heroic story of a dictator who risked his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed. It is inspired by the best selling novel, Zabibah and The King, by Saddam Hussein.”

Hit the jump to check out the images. Directed by Larry Charles (Borat, Bruno), the film also stars Anna Faris, Ben Kingsley, and Jason Mantzoukas.  The Dictator is set to open on May 11, 2012.  http://collider.com/dictator-set-photos-sacha-baron-cohen/96776/

Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin to Star in Jason Reitman’s LABOR DAY

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: June 16th, 2011

It looks like Jason Reitman is moving along with his next film. EW reports that Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin will play the leads in Reitman’s adaptation of Joyce Manard’s novel Labor Day. The book tells the story of a lonely mother whose 13-year-old son convinces her to take in a drifter who turns out to be a convicted murderer. Reitman wrote the screenplay and will direct the drama, which is set to start shooting in New England in 2012.

I was a huge fan of the writer/director’s Up in the Air, and Winslet and Brolin are both phenomenal actors, so it’s safe to say I’m looking forward to this one. Reitman is currently busy in post-production on Young Adult, a film he directed from a script by his Juno companion Diablo Cody. Young Adult stars Charlize Theron, Patrick Wilson, and Patton Oswalt, and Paramount is set to distribute.  Brolin was initially interested in that film, but apparently scheduling couldn’t be worked out. Now it looks like he’ll get his chance to work with Reitman after all. Hit the jump to read a synopsis of Maynard’s novel. http://collider.com/kate-winslet-josh-brolin-labor-day/96769/

Paul Bettany Up for Role of Javert Opposite Hugh Jackman in LES MISERABLES; Chelsea Handler Joins Josh Schwartz’s FUN SIZE

by Adam Chitwood   Posted: June 16th, 2011

We’ve got a couple of casting stories for you this morning. Last night, we reported that Hugh Jackman is currently in negotiations to star in director Tom Hooper’s (The King’s Speech) big-budget musical adaptation of Les Miserables. Jackman is eyeing the role of protagonist Jean Valjean, and now Deadline reports that Paul Bettany is a candidate to play the villainous police inspector Javert. Apparently he’s read for the role and sang a few songs from the stage musical. I like the idea of Bettany as Javert. He’s a fine dramatic actor, and he and Jackman make an interesting pair.

Additionally, THR reports that Chelsea Handler is in talks to join The O.C. creator Josh Schwartz’s feature directorial debut Fun Size. The comedy centers on a sarcastic teen who takes her little brother-trick-or-treating on Halloween only to lose him along the way. She must spend the rest of the night trying to track him down, with the help of her friends. Handler will play the mother of the teen girl. The cast now includes Victoria Justice (Victorious), Jane Levy, Thomas Mann (It’s Kind of a Funny Story) and Johnny Knoxville. http://collider.com/paul-bettany-les-miserables-chelsea-handler-fun-size/96740/

Hugh Jackman in Talks to Star in Tom Hooper’s LES MISERABLES

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: June 15th, 2011

To say Hugh Jackman is versatile is a bit of an understatement. The guy can go from dark and brooding in X-Men to unbelievably charming and lively as host of the Oscars and the Tonys, as well as starring in Broadway’s The Boy from Oz. Given that he’s not too shabby at the whole song and dance thing, it makes perfect sense that he’s currently in talks to star in The King’s Speech director Tom Hooper’s adaptation of Les Miserables. Variety reports that Jackman is currently in negotiations to take a starring role in the Universal flick, and THR reports that he’s eyeing the role of protagonist Jean Valjean. Now, onto the casting of villainous police inspector Javert.
Les Miserables will be Hooper’s first project since winning the Best Director Oscar for last year’s The King’s Speech. William Nicholson (Elizabeth: The Golden Age) wrote the screenplay based on the stage musical, which itself was based on the classic Victor Hugo novel. Jackman’s schedule opened up when Darren Aronofsky dropped out of The Wolverine at the last minute, leaving Fox scrambling to find a new director. http://collider.com/hugh-jackman-les-miserables/96660/

***Casting Call: Susan Sarandon in I HATE YOU DAD, Jennifer Hudson Joins THE THREE STOOGES, Johnny Knoxville in FUN SIZE, and Seth Green, Michelle Trachtenberg and More in SEXY EVIL GENIUS ***Focus Features Sets TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY

Casting Call: Susan Sarandon in I HATE YOU DAD, Jennifer Hudson Joins THE THREE STOOGES, Johnny Knoxville in FUN SIZE, and Seth Green, Michelle Trachtenberg and More in SEXY EVIL GENIUS

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: June 1st, 2011

We’ve got quite a few casting stories for you today. First up, Susan Sarandon has joined the cast of the Adam Sandler/Andy Samberg comedy I Hate You Dad. The comedy revolves around a father who moves in with his son and his son’s fiancé just before they’re about to get married, with Leighton Meester set to play Samberg’s fiancée. THR reports that in addition to Sarandon, Will Forte, Milo Ventimiglia, Eva Amurri (Californication), Blake Clark, Meagan Fay (Party Down), Tony Orlando, Dan Patrick and previously announced James Caan are all in negotiations to join the Sean Anders-directed comedy. Sarandon will play a sexy teacher who is the mother of Samberg’s character.
Additionally, Jennifer Hudson is the latest actor to join the cast of the Farrelly brothers’ The Three Stooges. The film stars Will Sasso as Curly, Sean Hayes as Larry, Chris Diamantopoulos as Moe, Jane Lynch, Larry David, Stephen Collins and Craig Bierko. Deadline reports that Hudson will play Sister Rosmary at the orphanage that the Stooges are raised. Lynch and David play two other (presumably evil) nuns at the orphanage. The Three Stooges is currently filming. Hit the jump for the casting news of Johnny Knoxville and a lot more in Fun Size and Seth Green, Michelle Trachtenberg, Katee Sackhoff, Harold Perrineau and Billy Baldwin in Sexy Evil Genius. http://collider.com/susan-sarandon-i-hate-you-dad-jennifer-hudson-three-stooges/94114/

Focus Features Sets TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY for November 18th

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: June 1st, 2011

If you were wondering whether or not Tomas Alfredson’s adaptation of John Le Carre’s Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy was being set up for an awards run, you now have your answer.  Variety reports that Focus Features has set the spy thriller for November 18th.  The story centers on “George Smiley (Gary Oldman), a veteran spy pulled out of semi-retirement to ferret out a Soviet agent in MI6.”  Oldman is already receiving early buzz on his performance and he’s bolstered by a strong supporting cast that includes Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Mark Strong, Ciarán Hinds, Stephen Graham, and Benedict Cumberbatch.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see the film premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in September, but nothing has been announced on that front.
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy has some tough competition on November 18th, but it’s not going for the same audience.  Also opening that weekend is The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 and Happy Feet Two, which obviously are going for after a different demographic than Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.  Hit the jump for a synopsis of the novel.
http://collider.com/tinker-tailor-soldier-spy-release-date/94065/

**New Banner for THE HANGOVER PART II **Woody Harrelson, Lenny Kravitz, and Stanley Tucci Up for THE HUNGER GAMES **Jane Levy in Talks for Halloween Teen Comedy FUN SIZE **Sam Worthington Thriller MAN ON A LEDGE for January 13, 2012

New Banner for THE HANGOVER PART II

by Jason Barr   Posted: April 28th, 2011

With its May 26th release quickly approaching, Warner Bros. has released a new promotional banner for The Hangover Part II. While I’ve been known to be somewhat critical of the film’s trailer and television spots, I have to say that I enjoy any promotional materials that play up both Ken Jeong and the monkey (not trying to be disrespectful, I truly don’t know his name). Considering both are included here, this new banner is okay in my book.

Hit the jump to check it out. To peruse all of our previous coverage of The Hangover Part II, click here. Directed by Todd Phillips, The Hangover Part II stars Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Ken Jeong, Jamie Chung, and Justin Bartha.

.......... http://collider.com/the-hangover-part-2-poster-banner/88126/

Woody Harrelson, Lenny Kravitz, and Stanley Tucci Up for THE HUNGER GAMES

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: April 28th, 2011

Most of the young cast surrounding Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth in The Hunger Games will be comprised of unknowns.  For the scattered adult roles, Lionsgate is looking to more familiar faces.  Elizabeth Banks was confirmed as Effie Trinket earlier today, and word on the street says the studio is after John C. Reilly to play drunken mentor Haymitch.  Vulture hears Lionsgate has sent out offers to a bevy of actors for other supporting roles, including Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci, and Lenny Kravitz.  Strict nondisclosure agreements have prevented too many details leaking, though Harrelson was linked to the role of Seneca Crane, the designer behind the Hunger Games that pit 24 teens against each other in a fight to the death.
The Hunger Games, based on the first book in a series by Suzanne Collins, is scheduled for release on March 23, 2012.  Gary Ross (Seabiscuit) will direct from a script by Billy Ray (State of Play).  Read the official synopsis and a bit of casting/character speculation after the break.
............ http://collider.com/woody-harrelson-stanley-tucci-lenny-kravitz-the-hunger-games/88134/

Jane Levy in Talks for Halloween Teen Comedy FUN SIZE

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: April 28th, 2011

Jane Levy is in talks to star in Fun Size, the feature directorial debut of Josh Schwartz (Chuck).  Victoria Justice (Victorious) stars as Wren , “a sarcastic teen who takes her little brother-trick-or-treating only to lose him along the way.”  THR indicates Levy is under consideration to play Wren’s best friend in the movie.  Thomas Mann is in talks to play a debate team member in love with Wren.
I tend to love movies that take place over a single night, and the comedic blend of Schwartz and The Colbert Report writer Max Werner has potential.  This sounds the ideal opportunity for Justice to transition into the next stage of her career.  Levy is a fresh (and, might I add, incredibly beautiful) face in the acting game, with just a few episodes of Shameless on her resume.  Levy recently starred in the ABC comedy pilot Suburgatory and is now preparing for her first feature role in the indie dramedy Nobody Walks.
.......... http://collider.com/jane-levy-fun-size-movie/88143/

Summit Schedules Sam Worthington Thriller MAN ON A LEDGE for January 13, 2012

by Eytan Hirsch   Posted: April 28th, 2011

Summit has announced a January 13, 2012 release date for Man on a Ledge, its upcoming heist film about, you guessed it, a man on a ledge.  Directed by Asger Leth (Ghosts of Cité Soleil), the film centers on an ex-cop (Sam Worthington) convicted of a crime he didn’t commit who stands on the ledge of a Manhattan building, threatening to kill himself.  However, unbeknownst to the cops on the scene, what appears to be a suicide attempt is in fact a cover for a massive diamond heist.
Along with Worthington, the thriller boasts an impressive cast that includes Elizabeth Banks (The Next Three Days), Jamie Bell (Jane Eyre), Edward Burns (27 Dresses), Ed Harris (The Way Back), Anthony Mackie (The Hurt Locker), Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer), and Titus Welliver (Lost).  Read the official synopsis after the jump.
............ http://collider.com/man-on-a-ledge-release-date/88147/