How about a hefty dose of casting news to prep for the work/school week? This week’s Cheat Sheet is absolutely packed to the brim with casting updates and every single one of them is rather exciting!
Even if you’re a hardcore Saw fan, there’s still a good chance you’ve got no clue who Darren Lynn Bousman is. Well, he was the man behind the lens of the series’ second, third and fourth installments and now he’s working on another horror film that not only boasts an interesting premise, but now a stellar cast, too. Alex Proyas, on the other hand, has been in the spotlight time and time again, which might be why he’s got the ability to attract such fantastic talent to his upcoming production Paradise Lost.
While casting is certainly the theme of the week, we do have a bit of non-casting news including word of an Avatar exhibit coming to Walt Disney World and the likelihood of The Lone Ranger finally getting off the ground.
So, how about it? Want more? The Movie News Cheat Sheet is at you service.
1. Lone Ranger Is Back: A little over a month ago, word first got out that Disney was pulling the reins on The Lone Ranger due to a budgeting issue. Now, according to Deadline, the studio is just steps away from resolving that problem, which involves capping the budget at $215 million as compared to the original number which ran the risk of exceeding $250 million. Disney could begin rehiring crew as soon as next week so the production can be ready for a January or February start date. No word on if the delay will have an impact on the film’s December 21st, 2012 release date, but the key cast, including Johnny Depp as Tonto and Armie Hammer as The Lone Ranger, are certainly back on board.
2. The Barrens Gets Moyer, Kirshner, Knudsen and Larose: As reported by Variety, Stephen Moyer is leaving Bon Temp, Louisiana behind and setting up camp in New Jersey. Moyer will star in Darren Lynn Bousman’s The Barrens as a man who takes his family to the New Jersey Pine Barrens on a camping trip and becomes convinced they’re being stalked by the winged monster from the legend of the Jersey Devil. Also joining Moyer out in the woods are Mia Kirshner, Erik Knudsen and J Larose. According to Bloody Disgusting, Kirshner will step in as Moyer’s wife, but no word on the roles Knudsen and Larose will assume.
3. Paradise Lost Finds Adam and Gets Closer to Eve: Alex Proyas’ cast for Paradise Lost continues to come together. He’s already got Bradley Cooper as Lucifer, Benjamin Walker as Michael and Djimon Hounsou as Abdiel and now he can add Gabriel to the list. According to Variety, Casey Affleck is in negotiations to assume the role of the six-winged messenger of God. As for the key roles of Adam and Eve, Rock of Ages’ Diego Boneta is apparently at the top of the list for the former while Camilla Belle has been offered the latter.
4. Scarface Coming Back To The Big Screen, Kind Of: Don’t worry; a Scarface sequel or reboot isn’t on the way, but, according to Deadline, something in the vein of the 1983 classic is. Universal Pictures is currently meeting with writers to script a piece that will take these elements from the 1983 film as well as the 1932 original – “An outsider, an immigrant, barges his way into the criminal establishment in pursuit of a twisted version of the American dream, becoming a kingpin through a campaign of ruthlessness and violent ambition.” Universal is keeping the details of their new Tony under wraps, but I’d like to bet an Italian taking over Chicago or a Cuban refugee running the show in Miami aren’t options.
5. Jay and Seth vs. The Apocalypse Cast Fills Up Fast: It’s taken an incredibly long time, but things are finally coming together for Jay Baruchel and Seth Rogen’s feature version of Jay and Seth vs. The Apocalypse. Earlier this month, Rogen revealed that production is set to begin in February and then, just about a week ago, word got out that Jonah Hill and James Franco will both get in on the action. More recently, Rogen sat down with MTV to talk about his upcoming film 50/50 and spilled a number of casting details. Apparently Danny McBride and Craig Robinson are also on board because Rogen explained, “We’ve decided to add more people, so ideally Jay and Seth looks like it has become Jay, Seth, Jonah, Danny, Craig and James.” As for the rumor that Daniel Radcliffe is joining up, too, Rogen explained the Harry Potter star might be a bit too tame for this film as “It doesn’t look like he’s willing to push things as far as we [are].”
6. No Book of Mormon Movie Anytime Soon: A book, TV show, short story, real life experience, no matter the medium, when something gains popularity, the odds of the item being adapted to film skyrockets. With the immense success of the Tony Award-winning The Book of Mormon, news of a film version was inevitable. However, while creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker are interested in the idea, while at the 15th anniversary celebration for South Park, the duo told THR that the big screen version of The Book of Mormon won’t be happening any time soon. Parker explained, “We did a stage show and it worked out way better than we ever thought, and we’d like it to be that for a while, you know, without contaminating it with a movie.”
7. Smashed May Get Spencer, Offerman, Winstead and Paul: James Ponsoldt’s Smashed just became a project to watch. Not only are both Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Aaron Paul in negotiations to star, but Octavia Spencer is 100% on board. The indie dramedy is being described as a loose, modern day version of Days of Wine and Roses, a 1962 Blake Edwards film that starred Jack Lemmon and Lee Remick. Should all go to plan, Winstead and Paul will lead as a married couple whose affection for one another is directly related to their love of alcohol. When Winstead’s character opts to put the bottle aside, the strength of their relationship is tested. According to Variety, Spencer will step in as Winstead’s AA sponsor and Nick Offerman is about to close a deal for the role of an elementary school assistant principal, the place where Winstead’s character works.
8. Disney World to Build Its Own Pandora: James Cameron dropped about $300 million to make Pandora feel as real as possible on the big screen in Avatar and now Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Worldwide is joining his effort bringing the world to life, quite literally, at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom. Cameron himself explained, “Avatar created a world which audiences can discover again and again and now, through this incredible partnership with Disney, we’ll be able to bring Pandora to life like never before. With two new Avatar films currently in development, we’ll have even more locations, characters and stories to explore.” Thomas O. Stagg, the chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts added, “Its spectacular settings, intriguing characters, imaginative creatures, and strong themes of family and loyalty make it a perfect fit for Disney.” (via The Walt Disney Company)
9. Trailers: One for the Money, Man On A Ledge and Big Miracle: Guess what? Katherine Heigl is starring in yet another romantic comedy. Crazy, right? Of course not, but it does come as a bit of surprise that the actress isn’t as cliché as usual in the new trailer for One for the Money. Man On A Ledge, on the other hand, looks like a compelling thriller with one heck of a twist. The film’s first trailer gives away a bit more than necessary, but that won’t stop you from wanting more. Then, if Dolphin Tale wasn’t enough for you, how about Big Miracle? Inspired by a true story, Big Miracle focuses on a group of gray whales trapped in the Arctic Circle. Like Dolphin Tale, Big Miracle seems to have a bit of a juvenile side, but should still pack the power to tug on anyone’s heartstrings.
10. Box Office: Now that The Lion King went two for two at the box office, I’d like to bet Disney will nix the idea of a limited two-week engagement and see how far they can push this one. After a stellar $30 million opening, The Lion King held on strong, losing just 26.6% of its profits for a $22 million week two haul. Moneyball snagged the #2 spot with $20.6 million, just beating out Dolphin Tale and its $20.3 million start. Both Abduction and Killer Elite posted solid numbers, but theater averages in the $3,000 range your first weekend out is nothing to brag about. Abduction comes in at #4 with $11 million while Killer Elite earns the 5th spot with $9.5 million. (via Box Office Mojo)
