casting news

To sort of steal a line from Zoolander, this casting news makes me think, "That Joseph Gordon-Levitt is so hot right now." He's currently the talk of the independent film town thanks to the good buzz surrounding his upcoming movie 500 Days of Summer, and he just booked a role in Christopher Nolan's next project. Now, he and Rainn Wilson have signed up for a movie titled Hesher that already has Natalie Portman on board as a star and producer. The Hollywood Reporter classifies this flick as a dramedy, and here's how it describes the plot:

The story centers on a loser twentysomething who invades the life of an awkward 13-year-old who is living with a pill-popping father and grandmother. Gordon-Levitt is playing the title character, a good and bad influence on the boy's life. Wilson is the dad trying to keep his family together after the death of his wife.

Portman plays a supermarket worker the kid falls for.

First of all, I didn't know what a "hesher" was until I looked it up online. I feel so behind the times. Also, I'm with Vulture on this point: "Dwight Schrute popping pills?! So, so wrong." Still, this film sounds cute and totally up my alley. What say you? Are you glad to see Gordon-Levitt booking more roles?

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I can't believe it's been nearly three years since Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette came out, and I'm happy to learn she's getting back to making movies — this time set in the present day at a famed hotel.

Titled Somewhere, her next movie centers on "a bad-boy actor stumbling through a life of excess at the Chateau Marmont. With an unexpected visit from his 11-year-old daughter, he is forced to reexamine his life."

Stephen Dorff will play the actor and Elle Fanning will play his daughter. I'm a little surprised by the Dorff casting because one of the last things I remember seeing him in was in a Britney Spears video. Landing the lead in a Sofia Coppola movie is a big deal and might signal a Mickey Rourke-like comeback for Dorff. He's also set to appear in the much anticipated Public Enemies.

I'm also intrigued by the Chateau Marmont setting because there is so much Hollywood lore associated with the place. Despite how glamorous it looks on the outside, it's also a symbol of the dark side of fame. John Belushi tragically died of a drug overdose there, it's where Lindsay Lohan took refuge after her 2007 arrest for drunk driving, and it's where Jim Morrison of The Doors suffered major injuries after dangling from a drain pipe (he was trying to jump off the balcony of the hotel). Definitely a good spot to explore Hollywood excess, that's for sure.

What do you think of this casting? Do you like the idea of a new Coppola movie set in the Chateau Marmont?

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Many fans were surprised to see a young, up-and-coming new actor cast as Caius, one of the three Volturi leaders, in New Moon. So I'm wondering if you'll find this new cast member more age-appropriate.

Michael Sheen, best known for his portrayals of famous historical figures in movies like The Queen and Frost/Nixon, will take on the role of "leader of the Volturi." I'm assuming this means he'll play Aro, which is exciting. Sheen's a well-respected actor's actor and adds a kind of thespian credibility to the production.

What do you think? Can you envision Sheen as an intimidating, powerful vampire? Does Sheen's involvement make you think this movie is starting to sound pretty good?

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OK Twilight fans, we have someone to play the Volturi leader and his name is Jamie Campbell-Bower. Based on this particular picture, it appears the young British actor was born to play a vampire (probably has to do with that mess of greasy hair and the guyliner). He's like Robert Pattinson's evil twin, which is about right for this role in New Moon.

The 20-year-old actor brings with him some impressive acting credits already, including roles in RocknRolla and Sweeney Todd.

So this means that several of the important Volturi roles are filled at this point with Dakota Fanning playing Jane, a runway model in the role of Volturi vixen, and now Campbell-Bower as Caius who "forms part of the triumvirate leading the Italian-based coven of vampires." I think we still need an Aro and a Marcus, right? Maybe some Volturi wives?

What do you think of this Caius?

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How's this picture for a double dose of cute on hump day? Oh yeah — I went there. Anyhoo, there's some interesting casting news for both Zac Efron and Robert Pattinson right now that indicates both guys are looking to prove they're more than just pretty faces by taking on seemingly emotionally complex new roles.

Here's a quick breakdown:

• Pattinson may star in a romantic drama: The project is titled Memoirs and "tells of two lovers whose newfound relationship is threatened as they struggle to deal with family tragedies." Most intriguing is that the original script for the movie will be reworked by Jenny Lumet, who wrote Rachel Getting Married. Pop wants to know who you think his leading lady should be.
• Efron ditches Footloose for something less dance-y: According to Variety, Efron "is negotiating to re-team with 17 Again director Burr Steers on an adaptation of the novel The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud." Efron would play a young man who feels responsible for his younger brother's death and later meets up with his ghost at a cemetery to play baseball. Sounds sad and heart-wrenching. Wonder if he can pull it off?

Looks like both actors are looking to stretch their acting muscles and move their careers beyond the uber-successful franchises that turned them into household names. What do you think? Do either of these movies sound interesting to you?

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I've been monitoring some interesting casting news for a movie titled Special Relationship, about the Clinton White House, which will be written and directed by Peter Morgan (of Frost/Nixon). The project is the latest in a group of movies penned by Morgan — including The Queen — and it will "show how Bill's 'inappropriate relationship' with White House intern Monica Lewinsky nearly ended his time in power." Yowza, right? Morgan is associated with and respected for his personal, fictionalized portrayals of those in power, so this will most likely be more than a melodramatic retelling of the the former president's indiscretions.

Anyway, there have been lots of rumors about who's playing the ex-prez, but the latest is Dennis Quaid! Can you believe it? Supposedly, Russell Crowe, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Alec Baldwin, and Tim Robbins were also in the running. Julianne Moore has been cast as Hillary Clinton, and Michael Sheen will once again play British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Now, Clinton is no stranger to having actors fill his shoes on the big and small screens (John Travolta played a character based on him in Primary Colors, and both Darrell Hammond and the late Phil Hartman portrayed him on Saturday Night Live) but I'm curious who you guys imagine playing Bill Clinton in a movie like this. Is it Quaid? Or is there someone else you picture in your mind forever and always as Bubba?

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Here we go, Twilight fans, another rumor: Today everyone's all abuzz about Madonna's possible involvement in New Moon, which is currently in preproduction. Of all the names I thought might be associated with the sequel, I don't think I would have ever guessed this one.

We don't know yet if she would be contributing to the soundtrack (maybe she'll provide all the music?) or acting in the sequel or both. I think it's likely she's just adding a song or two to the movie because it's difficult to imagine Madge on screen with Rob, Kristen, and the gang. Or is it? You tell me: What character could she play? Maybe one of the Volturi — Aro's wife or something? Is this a good rumor or a terrible rumor?

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Australian actress Mia Wasikowska is the lucky girl who will portray Alice in Tim Burton's upcoming film for Disney, Alice in Wonderland. You may not recognize Mia right away but she's not a complete unknown either: She's been steadily making a name for herself, working opposite big names on both television and in the movies.

Mia is a series regular on HBO's In Treatment, will appear in the drama Defiance starring Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber, and will play the young Amelia Earhart in Amelia starring Hilary Swank.

Rumors have been swirling as to which young actress would nab the coveted role and you guys even threw in your own suggestions. I've heard great things about her from fans of In Treatment, but what do you think? Have you ever seen her on the HBO show? Does she look like the kind of quirky, cute Alice that might be good in a Tim Burton project?

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Spider-Man 3 is in the news this week as The Dark Knight surpasses its record-breaking opening weekend but that doesn't mean the star of the superhero franchise is slowing down. Tobey Maguire is set to star in a drama titled The Crusaders about the historic Brown v. Board of Education case. According to Variety:

Maguire would play Jack Greenberg, who, as an idealistic lawyer fresh out of law school, joined with NAACP Legal Defense Fund head and future Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall to win a Supreme Court case that ruled segregation in American schools illegal.

Besides Maguire, there's some interesting behind-the-scenes talent involved as well. Gary Ross, who's worked with Maguire before on Pleasantville and Seabiscuit will direct and the writer of the recent HBO film Recount, Jay Roach, is working on the movie's script. It's been a while since I've seen a powerful, well-done drama about the civil rights movement and I'll be curious to watch this project unfold.

Are you glad to see Maguire getting back to his dramatic pre-Spidey roots?

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A blockbuster superhero movie can certainly get the casting directors interested: Both Jeff Bridges (Iron Man) and Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Dark Knight) will have won over critics and audiences alike come Summer's end, and now they've added another project to their schedules. Along with Robert Duvall, the two will star in a "music-based drama" based on a book by Thomas Cobb titled Crazy Heart.

The good news. . .
That cast! Love Bridges, love me some Maggie and of course Duvall is a class act, so there you go. Also, the story sounds a little generic, but I'm still curious about it. Variety has the details:

Story centers on a down-on-his-luck, alcoholic country music singer (Bridges) who is able to get his life and career back on track through his relationship and experiences with a female reporter (Gyllenhaal).

The part that makes me wonder. . .
Jeff Bridges is going to perform original songs by famed country producer T Bone Burnett in the film — but can he sing? And can he sing country music? I'm interested to see that. The movie is also being produced by CMT Films which has had a hand in the existence of Toby Keith's Beer for My Horses. So. . .yeah.

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