Bateman, Mirren, McAdams Ready to Play

Posted by Cole Abaius (cole.abaius@filmschoolrejects.com) on September 28, 2007

Every time I sit down to the day’s movie news, it seems I’m getting excited over something. Maybe it’s an exciting time we’re living in for films or maybe I’m just too geeky for my own good, but when a great concept has a great director and a slew of notables for a cast, it’s a solid reason to get excited.

My latest geekout comes in the form of Kevin Macdonald’s new project State of Play. With Edward Norton and Brad Pitt already signed on, Cinema Fusion is reporting that Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren and Robin Wright Penn are signing on as well.

The British mini-series, directed by David Yates of Harry Potter fame is being brought to the big screen here in the states by Kevin Macdonald, director of the incredible Last King of Scotland. After spending years making critically acclaimed documentaries like One Day in September, it seems that Macdonald is especially ripe for this type of political thriller.

The fantastic chemistry between Pitt and Norton will only be heightened by the addition Mirren, who is almost unequalled in her talent. Rounding out the ensemble, Bateman (who’s likely to be type cast as a dramatic actor if he keeps this up), McAdams and Wright Penn will add a really interesting color to the story. Basically, there isn’t a weak link in the acting chain.

I’m already sold on this movie because I’d watch a regional mattress commercial if Ed Norton was in it. The only question left is, should I be more excited about this film or about Norton as Bruce Banner in Louis Leterrier’s The Incredible Hulk?

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