Ansel Elgort Is Augustus Waters in "The Fault in Our Stars" Opposite Shailene Woodley

From siblings to star-crossed lovers! EW reports rising star Ansel Elgort has been offered the male lead in "The Fault in Our Stars" opposite Shailene Woodley - who plays his sister in the currently-filming dystopian adaptation "Divergent." The two Read more

Dylan O'Brien Lands "The Maze Runner" Lead; Ki Hong Lee Also Joins

UPDATE: Director Wes Ball tweets that Ki Hong Lee has also joined the cast as Minho, a fellow Glader and ally to Thomas throughout the series. Lee is probably best known as a regular on short-lived ABC Family Read more

Shailene Woodley Confirmed for "The Fault in Our Stars"

I mean, duh, we called it. It has now been officially confirmed with glowing quotes from director, producer and author in tow that the increasingly in demand Shailene Woodley will play the lead role of Hazel Grace Lancaster Read more

Up and Comers Presents: 20 Faces to Watch in 2013

After a somewhat unpredictable year in which the stars we expected to break out largely didn't but fresh faces came out of nowhere to surprise us all, we are ready to look ahead to the new talent waiting to Read more

Up and Comers Presents: The Breakout Stars of 2012

Another year, another new crop of fresh talent. Just like last year, the hardest part is narrowing down which of the dozens of the year's rising stars shone the brightest. This year we heralded the arrival of the unlikeliest Read more
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Rebecca Hall to replace Jessica Chastain in “Iron Man 3″

May 8, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 2 Comments

As we all slowly try to get used to the fact that Jessica Chastain will not be joining the cast of “Iron Man 3″, here’s some news that might alleviate some of that disappointment. Variety reports British actress Rebecca Hall is now in talks for the role that Chastain had been circling opposite returning actors Robert Downey, Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow and Don Cheadle, as well as fellow newbie Guy Pearce.

The film is said to be based on Warren Ellis’ “Extremis” storyline from the Marvel comics, and Hall may very well be playing Maya Hansen, a colleague of Pearce’s geneticist Aldrich Killian’s, with whom she develops the Extremis virus, which forces the human brain to rewire itself into something stronger. The scientists hope to send it to the US military, but it falls into the hands of terrorists instead and Hansen teams up with Stark to stop it. Shane Black begins directing the second sequel to 2008′s “Iron Man” and the first followup to “The Avengers” this month, with a release date already set for May 3, 2013.

This marks the highest profile get for Hall, who has earned raves for roles in awards contender dramas like “Frost/Nixon” and Ben Affleck’s “The Town” and was recently seen opposite Dominic West in ghost story “The Awakening.” She recently appeared in Sundance premiere and Weinstein Company pick-up “Lay the Favorite” and is currently wrapping up John Crowley’s untitled thriller opposite Eric Bana.

UPDATE: Jessica Chastain will NOT star in “Iron Man 3″ opposite Robert Downey, Jr.

April 23, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 1 Comment

05/07/12 UPDATE: According to Chastain herself, she is too busy and will be unable to take on this role. The search continues…

Now that she’s proven her acting chops in smaller, more serious roles and landed an Oscar nomination to boot, Jessica Chastain is ready to tackle a tentpole/franchise. And she’s picked a doozy as Deadline reports the actress is in talks to take on a starring role in Marvel’s “Iron Man 3″ opposite Robert Downey, Jr.

Chastain is circling the role of a smart (but, of course, sexy) scientist who goes toe to toe with Tony Stark. The role had been offered to her but it seemed like scheduling conflicts would force her to pass. The studio began meeting with other young actresses including Diane Kruger, Isla Fisher and Gemma Arterton, but when Chastain’s schedule cleared up, she is looking like the one who will ultimately win out after all. Chastain will join Downey, Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson and fellow newbie Guy Pearce as geneticist Aldrich Killian.

The film is said to be based on Warren Ellis’ “Extremis” storyline from the Marvel comics, and it seems to reason that Chastain will be playing Maya Hansen, a colleague of Killian’s with whom she develops the Extremis virus, which forces the human brain to rewire itself into something stronger. The scientists hope to send it to the US military, but it falls into the hands of terrorists instead and Hansen teams up with Stark to stop it.

Chastain starred in an unbelievable six films in 2011, including Cannes Palme D’Or winner “The Tree of Life”, Jeff Nichols’ Sundance hit “Take Shelter” and Civil Rights era drama “The Help”, which ultimately won her her first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She is currently filming Kathryn Bigelow’s Bin Laden military thriller “Zero Dark Thirty” and will then reunite with co-star Joel Edgerton on “The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: His and Hers.”

Vampire Diaries actress Dawn Olivieri to star in “Missionary”

October 27, 2011 | Posted by Rebecca Lewis in Casting Leave a comment

TV actress Dawn Olivieri, most recently seen in The Vampire Diaries, has landed a role in independant film “Missionary”, reports THR.

The film “revolves around a young missionary from the Church of Jesus Christ who has skewed God’s instructions in his efforts to win the affections of a married woman he feels should be his wife and soulmate for eternity.”

To be directed Anthoyn DiBlasi (2009′s “Dread”) from a screenplay by Scott Poiley and Bruce Wood, Olivieri will play Katherine, who meets the missionary when she is emotionally vulnerable only to realises that their relationship has turned dangerous as he is unstable.

Olivieri can next be seen in House of Lies on Showtime alongside Kristen Bell and Don Cheadle.

Brian Geraghty takes “Flight” with Denzel Washington

September 27, 2011 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting Leave a comment

That third star of “The Hurt Locker” that we don’t hear from nearly enough in comparison to Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie, is charting a rising career of his own. THR reports Brian Geraghty has joined Denzel Washington in drama/thriller “Flight”, which marks director Robert Zemeckis’ return to live action films after years toiling in 3D animation. Don Cheadle, Bruce Greenwood and Kelly Reilly are also part of the stellar cast.

In the John Gatins scripted film, Washington plays a troubled alcoholic and drug-addicted pilot whose plane’s engine malfunctions in flight, forcing him to save his passengers and becoming a hero. When evidence of his problems are discovered, the FAA tries to sweep it under the rug to preserve his public image. Geraghty will play his co-pilot, who finds religion after surviving the crash.

Geraghty, who played specialist Owen Eldridge opposite Renner’s rebellious William James and Mackie’s by-the-books JT Sanborn in Kathryn Bigelow’s 2009 Best Picture Oscar Winner “The Hurt Locker”, will next be seen in Channing Tatum’s TIFF-premiered high school reunion drama “Ten Year”. He recently completed work on a plethora of indie projects, including thriller “ATM” opposite Alice Eve and Josh Peck, Lionsgate’s comedy “Gay Dude” opposite Nicholas Braun and family drama “Refuge” with Krysten Ritter.