Film School Rejects » Casting Couch

Mia Wasikowski is the New Jane Eyre?

Robin Ruinsky — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:08:57 +0000

I was looking forward to seeing Ellen Page as Jane Eyre, wondering how she would handle the role of the poor governess from the wrong side of the moors. The star of Juno might have been able to bring a new twist to a character that has been filmed at least nineteen times. Or could be a thousand. IMDb isn’t always accurate. My favorite Jane is Andrea Martin in the Second City TV “Jane Airhead”. Her work in the role stands alone.

As for serious Jane’s the role has been played by Charlotte Gainsborough, Joan Fontaine, Samantha Morton. Anna Paquin played the young version of Jane to Morton’s grown up Jane. My apologies to the multitude of Janes unnamed but that would go on for too many paragraphs. So many Jane Eyres, so little time.

Now according to Variety, Mia Wasikowski, Alice in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland is in talks to step into the role of the plain Jane governess who finds true love with Mr. Rochester, that guy with the crazy first wife residing in the attic of his foreboding mansion Thornfield. Michael Fassbender (300, Inglourious Basterds), is reported to be in talks to play the miserable brooding, yet of course handsome Mr. Rochester.

The word from is the original casting of the Canadian Page as the very British Jane didn’t sit well among the British. I say that’s why it’s called acting. Actors play people unlike themselves, remember? But, I can understand their pain. Too many British favorites were being poached by actors in North America. Losing the colonies was a tough blow, but losing Bridget Jones and Beatrix Potter to Renee Zellweger, Jane Austin to Anne Hathaway was too too much.

Either way it didn’t matter since Page dropped out and the casting call has Mia Wasikowski on the Jane Eyre radar.

Sin nombre” director Cary Fukunaga will helm the newest incarnation of Charlotte Bronte’s tale of brooding love among depressed miserable people with seriously messed up secrets. Alright, I’m being harsh, but do we need yet another Jane Eyre?

What do you think? Do we need yet another visit to Jane Eyre, Edward Rochester and his ward Adele?

Duncan Jones Will Direct ‘Source Code’ With Jake Gyllenhaal

Rob Hunter — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:45:58 +0000

There’s been plenty of speculation recently as to what director Duncan Jones would be doing for a follow-up to his excellent film Moon. It appeared for a time that it would be a film in the vein of Blade Runner, called Mute, that would be written by Jones as well. It seems that project, which Jones is still writing, will be postponed as the director has officially been announced to helm the new thriller Source Code. Also attached to the film is the Prince of Persia himself, Jake Gyllenhaal.

Source Code is about a soldier named Colter (Gyllenhaal) who awakens on a passenger train in another man’s body with no idea how he got there. He begins to explore his surroundings and finds a bomb… which blows up, killing him and everyone else on board. The end.

Kidding… after the explosion Colter awakens in darkness, strapped to a harness with a monitor in front of him. He discovers that he’s part of a mission of sorts attempting to stop those responsible for the train bombing before they can strike again. With little else to go on Colter is sent back to the train seventeen minutes before the explosion. He’ll be sent back again and again, always for seventeen minutes, each time bringing him closer to the bomber(s) and closer to a truth about himself.

Having read the very cool script by Ben Ripley I can see definite hints of several cinematic influences with the two most obvious being a combination of Deja Vu and Groundhog Day. (Yes, you read that right. Just know that Source Code is far superior to Deja Vu and not nearly as funny as Groundhog Day.) Ripley does a fine job moving the story between the train and the control center that Colton returns to after each explosion, and he also manages to keep things interesting even though we return to the same point in time and space several times throughout the screenplay. ScriptShadow has a very positive review of the script here, but don’t read it if you want to avoid spoilers.

Jones has confirmed the report via Twitter (@ManMadeMoon) and Variety states that production will begin sometime early next year. They also report that the film, which will be distributed by Summit Entertainment, was originally with Universal with Topher Grace attached to star. Which makes me wonder where the hell did Grace go? Has he had a film since Spiderman 3?

What do you think of the news? Happy to see Jones behind the camera? Sad to see it isn’t for Mute?

Jessica Biel Has Sex Every Day For ‘F*cking Engaged’

Dr. Cole Abaius — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:39:28 +0000

As much as I would love for this site to be taken over by gossip items about Jessica Biel’s taint and who is tickling George Clooney’s thighs these days, it just plain can’t go to the dogs that way. You can tell by the quality of the writing, that we take movies seriously, damn it.

And for a first time writer, things are starting to get serious, because Jessica Biel will be producing and starring in the (probably R-rated) comedy Fucking Engaged, written by first-timer Julia Brownell. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the story involves a couple that seeks to keep the chemistry and spark alive in their relationship so they vow to get Biblical with each other every day of their engagement. You know what they say about an apple a day.

This. Sounds. Awesome.

Why? Because it has easy sequel potential if it’s funny – seeing a couple attempting to engage in coitus on the regular even after the honeymoon is over – and the Powder Blue star is definitely an easy advertising draw for something like this. Furthermore, I love any news that involves new writers getting a shot and more R-rated comedies being made.

No word yet on a director, but we’ll keep an eye on this, her taint, and Clooney’s thighs for you.

What the?

Damon, Brolin Complete Window Dressing for ‘True Grit’

Dr. Cole Abaius — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:34:42 +0000

I have never hid my ire for the idea of a True Grit remake even though I’m generally not against remakes, and I’m also generally not against remakes who cling closer to the source material. For whatever reason – the classic status of John Wayne’s best performance, the gravity of the film, my enthusiasm for eye patches – I couldn’t get behind the movie. Even with the Coen Brothers behind the camera.

I’m slowly getting there, and having talent like Matt Damon (you know you read that in the Team America voice) and Josh Brolin certainly help. Hell, the whole film journalism world is lit up at the casting of these two heavy hitters who’ll be joining Jeff Bridges on the trail.

Now, the only question that remains is which one will play Mattie, the young girl heading into treacherous Indian Territory seeking revenge for the murder of her father.

My vote is for Damon.

Unfortunately, I don’t get a vote, and according to Variety, Damon is set to play La Beouf, the tin star that helps Rooster and Mattie while Brolin is set to play the killer Tom Chaney. Thanks for the spoiler alert.

Hopefully Damon soaked up some Western mentality through osmosis while acting for Clint Eastwood in Invictus and Brolin picked up on the cowboy mentality while playing George W. Bush.

The reason I’m not fully excited is that this movie hinges, absolutely, completely, totally hinges on who they pick to play Mattie. Setting aside the fact that child actors are usually atrocious, the movie’s heart lies with Mattie. They can have all the acting talent in the world behind eye patches and six-shooters, but without a solid female lead, the movie just won’t work.

But these two names definitely help.

What say you?

Theron, Hardy Rev Engines for ‘Mad Max’?

Dr. Cole Abaius — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:06:40 +0000

A few months ago, I wrote a list of actors I thought would make an excellent new Max Rockatansky. Neither of these names are on that list, but both probably should have.

According to a strangely worded post on E! Online, Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy may be cast in the reboot/sequel/not-a-remake that is Mad Max 4. I say it’s strangely worded, because it involves confirmation from multiple sources that Theron is “director George Miller’s pick to play the lead female role.” Does that mean she’s been picked? That he wants to pick her? That he had a dream in which he rode a white steed and saw her visage off in the clouded distance?

It’s unclear.

Same wording goes for Tom Hardy who was absolutely phenomenal in Bronson. The guy is a strong acting talent, and a role like this would elevate his profile in a very cool way.

But, still, I think I would lean toward Charlize Theron playing Max (lead female role doesn’t necessarily mean she’s a replacement for Tina Turner). Why? Because it would involve Charlize Theron kicking everyone’s ass and kicking up the dust of the outback.

Oh, and if George Miller really thinks Mel Gibson is too old for the role, he should check out the trailer for Edge of Darkness. Just saying. I have a feeling that Gibson can still shove a shotgun into some greasy thug’s face.

What do you think? Bonus question: If Max tells a guy to saw through his own foot to get free of some handcuffs, will people think they’re ripping off Saw instead of Saw ripping off homaging the original Mad Max?

Laura Dern Gets Focked

Dr. Cole Abaius — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:02:57 +0000

I won’t really feign the sort of enthusiasm it takes to talk about a movie like this – the third in a series that will see Ben Stiller get punched in the balls a few times and have his childhood embarrassments brought back up at the dinner table. Meet the Fockers was steeped in more of the same enough, but I’m not sure I really care about what might as well be called America’s Funniest Home Videos: The Movie.

Still, Laura Dern is a bad ass.

And that has my interest piqued, because if she brings the same chops she’s famous for (and the same pair of Mom Jeans from Jurassic Park) to her role in Little Fockers, there might be a beacon of light shining from the film.

According to Hollywood Reporter, she’s signed on to play a headmistress at the school the Focker children attend. The usual suspects are back – Robert DeNiro, Ben Stiller, Teri Polo, Blythe Danner, and Owen Wilson – and they’ll be working alongside Jessica Alba who also recently signed on the dotted line.

I realize I’m being a little too hard on a movie that may very well be decently passable comedy, but the other bright side I see is that John Hamburg is re-writing the script. Not only did he direct I Love You, Man, he also did the heavy lifting in taking its first draft and elevating it to the material that ended up on screen. Not to mention the fact that he wrote the previous two installments which I made fun of earlier – a fact that destroys the point I’m making here.

But still, Meet the Parents was funny. Meet the Fockers was funny-lite. I’ve got my fingers crossed that they’ll be able to get on the upswing with the next one.

Oh, who am I kidding. I hate kids. Adding them into any formula is bad news.

Unless they talk and John Travolta is somehow involved.

What do you think?

Because You Asked For It: Showgirls 2

Dr. Cole Abaius — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 06:30:47 +0000

Before everyone calls me out for being wrong, yes, since I’ve shuffled through Robert Fure’s DVD collection I realize that there’s already a Showgirls 2 that mostly involves people fornicating and someone named Nikki Rider involved.

But let’s pretend that neither of us know that so we can start fresh.

And speaking of starting fresh, it seems like someone out there thinks it’s a fan-damn-tastic idea to give us even more Showgirlsy goodness with a sequel that will pop out of the system like the answer to a question nobody asked.

According to JoBlo, the pre-eminent site for all things movie and breast-of-the-day related, writer/director Marc Vorlander (who has the title writer/director because of unclear reasons) sees some serious merit in birthing unto the world Showgirls: A Story of Hope. I realize you’re laughing at the title now, but you’ll be laughing extra hard when I tell you what the main character’s name is. That’s right. It’s “Story.”

Just kidding. It’s Hope. As in, the character Hope who was played by Rena Riffel in the original. Apparently the character is compelling enough to have $25 million poured into her story (of Hope) and for production to get underway in Frankfurt. Of course, Riffel is on board for the project.

Words (except the 200 or so preceding this sentence) fail.

What do you think?

‘Deep Blue Sea’ Star Joins Cast of ‘Thor’

Dr. Cole Abaius — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:57:39 +0000

Does anyone else find it shocking that a Swedish actor would be cast in a movie about vikings and Norse mythology? No? Didn’t think so.

Coming off a fantastic role in Metropia, Stellan Skarsgard has just signed on to play an unknown role in Thor. According to MovieWeb via the Swedish news rag Ystads Allehanda, Marvel didn’t even want Skarsgard to read the script before he signed on the dotted line, apparently because of how secretive they want the project kept.

Thor is going to be a challenge because it moves beyond the science-based superhero model that Marvel has made popular with Iron Man (and to a lesser degree The Hulk) and heads straight into the world of mythology. The project is set for a 2011 release and already has most of the main personnel in place with actor/writer/director Kenneth Branagh at the helm, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Natalie Portman as Thor’s private nurse Jane Foster, and now Skarsgard who will most likely not have barnacles all over his face for this one.

So now the question is which character in the universe Skarsgard will be playing. Since it’s all arbitrary speculation, I figure I’ll toss out two random guesses:

Eric “Thunderstrike” Masterson, the architect who is saved by Thor and eventually given similar powers.
Tyr, the God of War

I make the first guess because it’s just random enough to work, and I make the second guess because some of the other Gods have already been cast, and it would be cool to see Stellan Skarsgard with a cup where his hand used to be. And, you know, it would be really great to see Tyr make an appearance.

But I’m still crossing my fingers for Beta Ray Bill.

Just kidding. Beta Ray Bill sucks. What do you think?

Is This The Right Cast For The ‘Let The Right One In’ Remake?

Rob Hunter — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 17:52:15 +0000

The inevitable US remake of the Swedish chiller Let The Right One In has taken a big step closer to production with the announcement of its three principle cast members. The original film is a dark coming-of-age story about a lonely little boy named Oskar who has a crush on the girl next door. The girl’s name is Eli and she happens to be a vampire. Eli’s human familiar is an adult male who helps procure her food and transport her around when necessary. It’s a beautiful film filled with stunning visuals and performances as well moments of pure tenderness and brutal violence. It can only be improved by a Hollywood remake, right?

The US version is retitled to Let Me In (reportedly the title on the original novel) and will be directed by Cloverfield’s Matt Reeves, so expect the camera to be pointed in the wrong direction for half the film. Per Variety, one veteran actor and two fresh faces have been announced to star. Richard Jenkins will portray the vampire’s assistant, Kodi Smit-Mcphee will play Oskar, and Chloe Moretz will bring the vampire Eli to life. I’m guessing the character names will change of course. Jenkins is fantastic in everything so I expect nothing less here, and the role actually has potential to be truly heartfelt and emotional. Smit-Mcphee hasn’t yet had much exposure, but he’ll next be seen walking next to Viggo Mortensen in The Road. Moretz has already shown herself to be a good little actress in this summer’s 500 Days of Summer and will next be seen in the very fun looking and very violent Kick-Ass. And remember, this is a Hollywood remake so don’t expect to see Moretz’s hairy vagina on the big screen. (Watch the original movie before calling me a pervert).

Production on the remake begins shortly with a 2010 scheduled release. One side note about the Variety story, it refers to the Jenkins role as “the girl’s vampire-hunting guardian.” So either Variety has gotten a look at the remake’s script and there has been some major changes from the original… or they’re just morons. I lean towards the latter.

What do you think of this cast? Do they make the remake more palatable for you?

Malkovich Will Ride ‘Secretariat’ with Diane Lane

Dr. Cole Abaius — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 04:56:32 +0000

Aren’t you glad the words ‘Diane Lane’ and ‘Secretariat’ aren’t switched around in that headline? Me neither. But then the film wouldn’t be made by Disney.

According to Variety, someone inside John Malkovich’s head will be controlling the rest of his body for Secretariat, a Disney film based on the story of the most famous Triple-Crown winning racehorse of all time. Malkovich will play a former jockey-cum-trainer, Lucien Laurin, who prepares the horse to win races and hearts. Meanwhile, Diane Lane will play Penny Chenery who owns the horse and knows absolutely nothing about horse racing which should facilitate some awesome exposition opportunities.

Luckily, Seabiscuit happened 6 years ago, so by now audiences will have probably forgotten its existence. In other news, I’m hoping that the film leads to a prequel called Bold Ruler (the name of Secretariat’s father. Seriously. What an awesome name).

What do you think? Yes, Bold Ruler could star John Malkovich, too, so stop asking.

Galifiniakis Has a Dramatic ‘Funny Story’ For You

Dr. Cole Abaius — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:34:30 +0000

After making close to fifteen hundred movies in the past month, Zach Galifianakis is now in talks to star in a serious dramatic role for the writer/director team that gave us Half Nelson.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Galifianakis is in talks to sign on with It’s Kind of a Funny Story being directed by Ryan Fleck and written by Fleck and Anna Boden. Based off the novel, it’s the story of a young man who ends up in the adult ward of a mental institution, meets some mentally unstable adults, and falls in love with a girl (who will apparently be played by Emma Roberts).

No word yet on whether Galifianakis will have to shave his beard to be around the children.

Having him play a more dramatic role is genius because the guy definitely has it in him. Make no mistake. Despite starting out in stand up (and I use the phrase as loosely as calling Steve Martin’s original bits “stand up”), Galifiankis has a broad emotional range and can do far more than act stoned and grow a beard. Plus, after he shows up in Due Date as a slacker, it’ll be good for the masses to see him as a lovable insane person that’s institutionalized instead of one just roaming the streets with Robert Downey Jr.

Cameras start rolling this fall.

What do you think?

Karyn Kusama Wants to Explore Rachel Weisz’s Body

Dr. Cole Abaius — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:29:03 +0000

The first time I ever saw Rachel Weisz in a movie, I hated her. That’s because the first movie I saw with her starring was The Shape of Things, and she is amazingly brutal in it. She was so good at her role, that I could actually feel myself hating her, struggling to separate her from the person on the screen. I don’t think I’m alone in saying that she’s one of the best actors around today, and so I’m pretty psyched whenever I see that she’s working on something new. Especially when the words “horror” and “Cronenberg” get thrown out.

Before I get you too confused, io9 was fortunate enough to sit down with Jennifer’s Body director Karyn Kusama who is busy developing a new project that she claims is in the vein (or at least inspired by) Cronenberg’s cinematic toying with the human body.

The money quote from her here:

There’s a screenplay I wrote a while a go with a partner that has a sort of element of horror, although I would call it a psychological horror in the David Cronenberg tradition, that I’m trying to get made. . . It definitely does fall into sort of a body horror movie that deals very, very specifically with our concept of gender. I can’t really talk to you specifically about it other than to say that Rachel Weisz is attached to the film.

Who better to be attached to something like that? Weisz is downright ballsy when it comes to her roles, and it sounds like this has the potential to require brass buttons to take on.

I realize that Kusama has a bit of a mixed record between Girl Fight and Aeon Flux, but my ears tend to perk up whenever Cronenberg’s name is evoked. Plus, Kusama has said in the past that she won’t work again where she doesn’t have final cut which makes a huge difference.

Now I’m getting my hopes up, and if Weisz doesn’t grow a chest vagina in it, I’ll probably be disappointed. You hear that, Miss Kusama? The people demand chest vaginas.

What do you think? Time to go watch Videodrome again? I think so, too.

McAvoy and Wright Penn to Kill President Lincoln

Dr. Cole Abaius — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:36:15 +0000

After almost 150 years, it’s about time they finally solved this damned case. You’d think that with as high a profile as President Lincoln had they would have captures his killers by now, but it appears as if they’ve finally uncovered that it was James McAvoy and Robin Wright Penn all along.

As punishment, the two actors (whoever heard of an actor killing anybody?) will be starring in The Conspirator, a movie being directed by Robert Redford about the events following the assassination in Ford’s Theater.

According to Variety, Wright Penn will be playing Mary Surratt, the famous figure who aided in the assassination plot by handing off pistols and field glasses for the conspirators to pick up after the shooting as they made their way into hiding. She was, as you remember from your history class, the first woman ever executed by the federal government.

McAvoy will be playing Bilbo Baggins Frederick Aiken, the lawyer who took up her case and wrote a fairly cogent defense of the whole matter despite the obviousness of her guilt.

Although I wasn’t a huge fan of Lions for Lambs, I’m stoked about the idea of a Civil War-era drama directed by Robert Redford, and the casting sounds great so far. It’ll be nice to have two strong actors in difficult roles – how do you make Surratt a sympathetic character? And McAvoy is perfect for a reluctant aide role – he’s already displayed strong chops for that particular role in The Last King of Scotland. Definitely looking forward to this one.

What do you think?

Christoph Waltz to Ask for Glass of Milk on ‘Green Hornet’ Set

Dr. Cole Abaius — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:28:07 +0000

Just last week we reported that Nic Cage had dropped out of The Green Hornet for unknown reasons. Just last night, we opined on whether that was a good or bad thing on Reject Radio – specifically how the production would shape up considering all the ups and downs of casting.

Now all of that speculation might be washed away with the news from Deadline Hollywood that Christoph Waltz has been signed to play the villain battling Seth Rogen in his domino mask.

Waltz impressed universally with his role in Inglourious Basterds – becoming the second little-known actor do so after Sharlto Copely in District 9 – and his nomination for Best Supporting Actor (if not to mention a win) is as almost assured as Heath Ledger’s was at this time last year.

So Green Hornet’s got some pedigree.

Now that everything is set back in place, isn’t it about time for a key grip or best boy to quit? Or for Seth Rogen to grow a second head?

I love the casting here, but it would have been far more poetic if Stephen Chow had come back as the villain.

What do you think?

Will The Duke Abide Jeff Bridges In The Coen’s ‘True Grit’ Remake?

Rob Hunter — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:40:00 +0000

So we all know that the classic John Wayne western True Grit is being remade, and based on past comments here and elsewhere not too many people are thrilled about it. Of course the number of folks willing to give it a chance increases when they discover that the Coen brothers are attached to direct. If you count yourself as a member of that camp that you’ll be happy to hear the movie is moving forward and may be closer to production than previously thought.

True Grit introduced Rooster Cogburn, a hard-drinking, gruff, and one-eyed US Marshall, who finds himself enlisted by a teenage girl in her quest for revenge against the man who killed her father. The pair are joined by a Texas Ranger who’s after the same man, and their quest brings them deep into Indian territory.

The question then becomes who should take on the iconic role of Cogburn that won Wayne an Oscar for Best Actor. Lots of names were tossed around including Josh Brolin, Tom Wilkinson, Nick Nolte, and Patton Oswalt, but according to Variety one actor is actually in talks for the role right now.

Jeff Bridges is currently in negotiations with Paramount for the True Grit remake which would reunite him with the creators of The Big Lebowski. Bridges has done gruff lawman before in Walter Hill’s Wild Bill, so he’s no stranger to the saddle or the gun. Sadly, I doubt this means we can expect Cogburn to say things like ”The girl just wants revenge for her father’s murder, man” or “That Indian really tied the room together.”

Now that Cogburn may be cast… who should play the teenage girl?

Film School Rejects » Casting Couch

Mia Wasikowski is the New Jane Eyre?

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