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/
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/
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/
