SOCIAL NETWORK Actor Josh Pence Joins THE DARK KNIGHT RISES
by Adam Chitwood Posted: April 8th, 2011
With production on Christopher Nolan’s unbelievably anticipated The Dark Knight Rises getting ready to begin production soon, the director is filling out the rest of his cast. The latest actor to join the project is The Social Network actor Josh Pence. Heat Vision reports that the actor will take on the role of a young Ra’s Al Ghul in a flashback. Liam Neeson portrayed Al Ghul in Batman Begins, and this casting confirms reports that Nolan really is tying his trilogy together with this last installment in his Batman franchise. There are also rumors that Ra’s daughter, Talia Al Ghul will appear in The Dark Knight Rises (Marion Cotillard, perhaps?)
Now, you may not remember seeing Pence’s face in The Social Network, but that’s because you never did. Pence played opposite Armie Hammer as one half of the Winklevoss twins, but his face was digitally replaced with Hammer’s to accurately reflect the two as identical twins. The Dark Knight Rises now stars Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Juno Temple. The film hits theaters July 20th, 2012.
Casting Call: Tobey Maguire Joins Ang Lee’s LIFE OF PI; Willem Dafoe in Talks for Stephen Sommers’ ODD THOMAS
by Adam Chitwood Posted: April 8th, 2011
We’ve got a couple of casting stories for you today, both involving adaptations of books. First up, Variety reports that Tobey Maguire is re-teaming with director Ang Lee for his adaptation of Yann Martel’s Life of Pi. The story centers on a boy named Pi who gets stranded for 227 days with a tiger. Maguire will play the man who interviews the adult Pi about his experience. The cast for the 3D film now includes newcomer Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan (In Treatment), Adil Hussain (Calendar Girls), and Gerard Depardieu. The film is slated for a December 14th, 2012 release.
Additionally, Willem Dafoe is in talks to join director Stephen Sommers’ (The Mummy) adaptation of the Dean Koontz supernatural thriller Odd Thomas. The film centers on a short-order cook who can commune with the dead. Heat Vision reports that Dafoe is in talks to play a local police chief. Anton Yelchin and Addison Timlin are poised to star in the film. Shooting is set to start in New Mexico later this spring. Hit the jump for a synopsis of both Life of Pi and Odd Thomas.
Jessica Biel Close to Grabbing One of the Lead Female Roles in TOTAL RECALL Remake
by Adam Chitwood Posted: April 8th, 2011
Len Wiseman’s (Live Free or Die Hard) remake of Total Recall may be close to casting one of the two lead female roles. Variety reports that Jessica Biel is circling one of the roles opposite Colin Farrell in the remake of the 1990 Arnold Schwarzenegger starred sci-fi film. The two roles in the original, Lori and Melina, were played by Sharon Stone and Rachel Ticotin respectively. Apparently early word was that Biel was going after Melina, but the trade says that there’s a chance she’s going after the other character. Other actresses reading for the roles include Eva Mendes, Diane Kruger and Kate Bosworth.
Bryan Cranston is set to play the villain in the remake. When producer Neil Moritz sat down with Steve a while ago, he stated that this film is closer to Philip K. Dick’s book than the 1990 film was, and in the remake they won’t be going to space (which is kind of confusing, given that a major plot point involves Mars). Further plot details are scarce, and at this point we don’t even know what villain Cranston is portraying. Nevertheless, the addition of Cranston to the cast automatically puts this in my “must-see” category. Total Recall hits theaters August 3rd 2012.
http://collider.com/jessica-biel-close-to-grabbing-one-of-the-lead-female-roles-in-total-recall-remake/85132/Another New Clip From THOR
by Adam Chitwood Posted: April 8th, 2011
Yesterday, Marvel released a clip from Thor giving us a very brief glimpse at Hawkeye. Today, another clip has been released. This one’s a bit lighter, and features Natalie Portman, Kat Dennings and Stellan Skarsgard vising Thor at the hospital. Hit the jump to check out the clip for yourself. Thor hits theaters in 3D on May 6th. http://collider.com/thor-movie-clip-hospital/85136/
Nick Cassavetes Replaces Liam Neeson in THE HANGOVER PART II Cameo
by Nicole Pedersen Posted: April 9th, 2011
With just weeks to go before the release of The Hangover Part II, director Todd Phillips has announced that Liam Neeson’s cameo performance as a Bangkok tattoo artist has been cut from the film. Back in October Neeson was called in to replace Mel Gibson, whose appearance in the sequel “did not have the full support” of the Hangover cast and crew. Details on who will replace Neeson are after the jump.
