Three Actresses Testing for “Cinderella”, “Game of Thrones” Actor Up for Prince

April 3, 2013 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 2 Comments

Since Emma Watson won’t put on that glass slipper, Disney and director Kenneth Branagh are moving on in their search for “Cinderella.” Today Deadline reports three relatively unknown young actresses will be auditioning for the role this week in London, while a “Game of Thrones” actor is one of the names being bandied about for the role of the handsome Prince.

British actress Lily James and Aussies Bella Heathcote and Margot Robbie will be testing for the titular role this week, and Deadline seems confident one of the three is likely to emerge as the winner. Before offering the role to Watson, Disney had considered more known rising stars Saorise Ronan, Alicia Vikander and Gabriella Wilde for the part, though due to scheduling and other issues, none of them could be locked down.

After the poor girl turned Princess is chosen, the search will begin in earnest for her Prince. At the moment, the only name to surface in connection to that role is Richard Madden, who plays boy king Robb Stark on HBO series “Game of Thrones.” Meanwhile, Cate Blanchett is still attached to the role of Cinderella’s evil stepmother, which surely proves to be a major draw for young actors to this potentially star-making project. A fall production start is being eyed.

Heathcote has gone down the fairy tale princess route before, as she first caught our attention when she was shortlisted for the lead in “Snow White and the Huntsman.” She’s landed on plenty of shortlists for high profile young female roles since, and has worked steadily in films like “Dark Shadows” and “Not Fade Away.” Robbie was the star of ABC’s short lived series “Pan Am” before landing a major break as the female lead opposite Leonardo Dicaprio in Martin Scorsese’s upcoming “The Wolf of Wall Street.” James played Korrina in “Wrath of the Titans” and appeared as Lady Rose MacClare in the third and fourth season of “Downton Abbey.”

Bella Heathcote Joins Hugh Grant and Marisa Tomei in Untitled Comedy

March 7, 2013 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting Leave a comment

bella-heathcote Aussie rising star Bella Heathcote has not yet found that breakout role to propel her to the next level but she continues to work steadily in Hollywood following her win of the 2010 Heath Ledger Scholarship from Australians in Film. Today Variety reports she has booked her next gig, an untitled romantic comedy starring Hugh Grant and Marisa Tomei.

Marc Lawrence wrote the script and will direct the film about Grant’s character, a washed-up, broke and divorced former award-winning screenwriter who is forced to teach a screenwriting class at a small college. He hopes to make some easy money while enjoying the company of impressionable young co-eds (Heathcote will play one of his students) but Tomei’s character, a single mom who goes back to school, catches his attention instead. Filming begins in April.

Heathcote will film this after she completes work on the currently filming Derek Martini’s adaptation of “The Curse of Downer’s Grove”, which co-stars Lucas Till and Kevin Zegers. Her first major Hollywood role came in Tim Burton’s “Dark Shadows”, which paired her with Johnny Depp. She was also seen in David Chase’s coming of age rock n roll tale “Not Fade Away” and still consistently shows up on shortlists for high profile female roles. You gotta believe she’ll land one sooner or later. In the meantime, she’s got her hands full with indies, including drug cartel thriller “The Preppie Connection”, which films this summer.

“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” Star Heads to “Downer’s Grove”

February 25, 2013 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 1 Comment

zane-holtz Canadian actor Zane Holtz, who played Logan Lerman’s older brother in “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”, has been cast in indie thriller “The Curse of Downer’s Grove”, another YA book adaptation, according to Variety. Bella Heathcote plays the lead in the film, with Lucas Till, Kevin Zegers and Penelope Mitchell rounding out the cast. Earlier reports had “Friday Night Lights” star Aimee Teegarden also part of the cast, but there’s been no mention of her in more recent articles.

Derek Martini will direct the film from a script he co-wrote with Bret Easton Ellis, based on the novel “Downer’s Grove” by Michael Hornburg. Heathcote will play the lead character of Chrissie, an unusual high school senior in a suburban town who juggles family drama, unwanted attention from a school bully and attraction to a hot older man all while worrying about the curse that seems to exist in her town: Every year before school ends a member of the graduating class is killed in bizarre fashion. Holtz will be a drug-addicted sidekick to Zegers’ charcter, presumably the overly amorous school bully. Filming is expected to start in the spring.

Holtz made a brief appearance in Stephen Chobsky’s adaptation of his own novel “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”, and recently wrapped up starring roles in two indies: Russell Friedenberg’s “Wind Walkers” and Danny Buday’s “Another Stateside.”

Bella Heathcote to star in “The Curse of Downer’s Grove” opposite Lucas Till

February 14, 2013 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting Leave a comment

bella-heathcote Australian actress Bella Heathcote has been cast in the female lead role in indie thriller “The Curse of Downer’s Grove”, according to Variety. Lucas Till, Kevin Zegers and Aimee Teegarden were cast in the film a few weeks back, while Penelope Mitchell has also jumped on board.

Derek Martini will direct the film from a script he co-wrote with Bret Easton Ellis, based on the novel “Downer’s Grove” by Michael Hornburg. Heathcote will play the lead character of Chrissie, an unusual high school senior in a suburban town who juggles family drama, unwanted attention from a school bully and attraction to a hot older man all while worrying about the curse that seems to exist in her town: Every year before school ends a member of the graduating class is killed in bizarre fashion. Filming is expected to start in the spring.

Heathcote starred opposite Johnny Depp in Tim Burton’s “Dark Shadows” and was seen most recently in David Chase’s musical coming of age drama “Not Fade Away.” She is also attached to indie drug cartel thriller “The Preppie Connection” opposite Evan Peters, with filming expected to begin over the summer.

Bella Heathcote and Evan Peters to make “The Preppie Connection”

January 22, 2013 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting Leave a comment

Rising stars Bella Heathcote and Evan Peters have been cast in indie drug cartel drama “The Preppie Connection”, according to Deadline. Joe Castelo will direct this summer in New York City.

The film is based on a true story and follows a group of prep school students who ran a drug trafficking ring in the 1980s. Peters will prsumably play Toby, a lower-class scholarship student who utilizes his connection to easy drug access to get “in” with the popular kids, eventually cultivating a successful trafficking network. He gets in over his head when he and his friends cross paths with the much more powerful and sinister Colombian drug cartels.

Evans, who recently wrapped up filming on indies “Adult World” with Emma Roberts and “Truck Stop” with Juno Temple, is most known for his TV work on Ryan Murphy’s “American Horror Story.” He’s completed two stand-alone seasons of the FX horror series, and is expected to return for season three, which features another brand-new storyline. Heathcote starred opposite Johnny Depp in Tim Burton’s “Dark Shadows” and was seen most recently in David Chase’s musical coming of age drama “Not Fade Away.”

Hollywood Film Awards to honor Ezra Miller, Quvenzhane Wallis, Bella Heathcote and more

October 17, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Awards 1 Comment

The Hollywood Film Awards, part of the Hollywood Film Festival, has put the spotlight on seven of this Oscar season’s brightest rising stars. “Beasts of the Southern Wild”‘s 8-year-old breakout star Quvenzhane Wallis will receive its New Hollywood Award, which honors “the year’s best new talent”, while six other up and comers will receive the Hollywood Spotlight Award, which honors “the year’s most promising rising stars.” What’s the difference? Who knows, but taking home that trophy will be “Flight” star Kelly Reilly, Bella Heathcote and John Magaro, both from “Not Fade Away”, “Les Miserables”‘s Eponine Samantha Barks, “The Impossible” star Tom Holland and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” scene-stealer Ezra Miller.

HFF founder and executive director Carlos de Abreu tells THR, “We are very excited that we will be able to recognize these great acting talents while they are still on the road to discovery and stardom.” These up and comers will be in good company, as past honorees have included Mila Kunis, Shailene Woodley, Andrea Riseborough, Elle Fanning and Anton Yelchin. The award ceremony will be held on October 22nd.

Watch: Jack Huston, Bella Heathcote and more make music and come of age in first trailer for “Not Fade Away”

October 9, 2012 | Posted by Rebecca Lewis in Videos Leave a comment

It’s the 1960s, rock music is everywhere and everyone wants to be involved. And so it goes in this first trailer for David Chase‘s “Not Fade Away“, which was released to coincide with the premiere of the film at this year’s New York Film Festival.

Jack Huston, John Magaro, Bella Heathcote and Will Brill all star in the film which follows three best friends who decide to create a band and think they can be as big as the Rolling Stones.

Chase, who found fame with the critically and commerically-acclaimed TV show “The Sopranos”, has set his feature length directorial debut in New Jersey, home of Tony Soprano of course, but the tone here seems markedly different. As the band attempt to make it big in New York City we see them deal with familial drama, internal pressures and falling in love.

“Not Fade Away” has a US release date set for 21st December 2012. Check out the trailer below.

Watch: Scoot McNairy learns the art of “Killing Them Softly” from Brad Pitt in first trailer

August 1, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Videos Leave a comment

We were bummed to miss this one at Cannes, and the first trailer for Andrew Dominik’s unusual mob drama “Killing Them Softly” only intensifies that disappointment. “Monsters”‘ breakout star Scoot McNairy graduates to the big leagues and shares the screen with Brad Pitt, James Gandolfini, Ray Liotta, Richard Jenkins and more, playing one of two hapless thugs who hold up a high stakes poker game, only to get in over his head with the ruthless enforcer (Pitt) the mobsters send after him to track down their money.

The trailer is full of atmosphere rather than in-your-face testosterone, philosophizing about the American Dream and even some unexpected humor, all working to really racket up the anticipation on our end. “Killing Them Softly”, which also stars Bella Heathcote, will be released on October 19th. The first trailer, via Moviefone, can be viewed below.

Full Cannes 2012 Lineup: “Twilight” invasion, Sarah Gadon on double Cronenberg duty and the return of Jessica Chastain

April 18, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Awards, General News Leave a comment

The official Cannes Film Festival lineup has finally been unveiled and looks like we can expect a more than usual number of up and coming young actors to head to the French Riviera next month. As expected, teen phenomenon “Twilight” will be well represented with stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart each headlining a Cannes-bound flick for the very first time. Pattinson stars in David Cronenberg’s adaptation of Don DeLillo novel “Cosmopolis”, while Stewart plays a supporting role in Walter Salles’ long-gestating, highly anticipated adaptation of Jack Kerouac classic “On the Road.” Also perhaps hoping to shed that teen idol image and gain some serious acting cred at the festival is former “High School Musical” star Zac Efron, who stars in Lee Daniels’ “The Paperboy.” Daniels’ “Precious” played Un Certain Regard two years ago and went on to earn a boatload of Oscar nominations.

“Cosmopolis”, “On the Road” and “The Paperboy” will all play in competition and will be eligible for awards at the end of the festival. “On the Road” will also bring to Cannes promising young talents Sam Riley and Garrett Hedlund, as well as a return for last year’s Best Actress winner Kirsten Dunst.

Meanwhile, Pattinson’s “Cosomopolis” co-star Sarah Gadon, also a first-timer, will represent not one but two Cronenbergs a the festival. In addition to “Cosmopolis”, she is also the star of David’s son Brandon Cronenberg’s first feature, the futuristic sci-fi thriller “Antiviral”, accepted into the Un Certain Regard lineup for this year. “Antiviral” co-stars “X-Men: First Class”‘s Caleb Landry Jones.

Also pulling double duty this year is returning vet Jessica Chastain, who wowed with her performance in the Palm d’Or winner “The Tree of Life” last year. She returns this year as an Oscar nominee touting two films, the animated “Madagascar 3″ and John Hillcoat’s Prohibition-era drama “Lawless” (previously titled “The Wettest County in the World”, and not to be confused with Terrence Malick’s next feature). “Lawless” also stars Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf and recent “Chronicle” breakout star Dane DeHaan.

Other up and comers we’ll be keeping an eye on include Bella Heathcote in Andrew Dominik’s “Killing Them Softly”, Michael Shannon’s reunion with “Take Shelter” director Jeff Nichols on “Mud”, and Sundance breakout star Quvenzhané Wallis of “The Beasts of the Southern Wild.”

We here at Up and Comers will be at Cannes for the very first time this year too, so expect news, reviews and exclusives straight from the Croisette!

See the full line-up of films below.

Chloe Moretz and Haley Bennett lead the pack of “Carrie” remake candidates

March 24, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 3 Comments

Another day, another high profile horror remake. The hot topic this week is “Carrie”, the redo of the Brian DePalma classic that landed star Sissy Spacek an Oscar nomination and horror icon status in the title role. MGM is redoing it, and Vulture reports at the top of the list of candidates are Chloe Moretz and Haley Bennett, while others who have read for the part and may or may not still be in the conversation include such usual suspects as Emily Browning, Bella Heathcote, Lily Collins and Dakota Fanning. One girl who will definitely not be in the movie is “The Descendants” star Shailene Woodley, who was reportedly offered the part last week and said no.

Vulture also reports the new film, to be directed by Kimberly Pierce, will be more faithful to the original Stephen King novel – about an unpopular girl who reaches her limit and manifests telekinetic powers to torture and seek revenge on her bullying classmates after a particularly cruel trick involving pig blood at prom – than DePalma’s 1976 version. For the role of Carrie’s suffocating religious mother, Pierce is said to be eyeing the likes of Jodie Foster and Julianne Moore.

Moretz recently appeared in Martin Scorsese’s Oscar-nominated “Hugo” and will next be seen in Tim Burton’s horror comedy “Dark Shadows.” Bennett is no stranger to horror having taken the title role in “The Haunting of Molly Hartley”, and will next shoot Terrence Malick’s “Lawless” opposite Christian Bale.

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