James Badge Dale among cast additions to now-filming JFK assassination drama “Parkland”

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

James Badge Dale, one of our Faces to Watch in 2013, is among a large group of new cast additions to JFK assassination drama “Parkland”, which has begun principal photography in Austin, Texas. Jackie Earle Haley, Colin Hanks, David Harbour and Ron Livingston have also jumped aboard in Peter Landesman‘s directorial debut, which already boasted Zac Efron, Marcia Gay Harden, Paul Giamatti, Billy Bob Thornton, Jeremy Strong and Jacki Weaver in its large ensemble cast.

Landesman wrote the script and will make his feature directorial debut on the film which chronicles the lead-up to President John F. Kennedy’s assassination and its aftermath. Parkland refers to the hospital where JFK was rushed and where his assassin Lee Harvy Oswald (Scott) also died two days later. No word on who amongst the sprawling cast is playing JFK, though Dale or perhaps Livingston seem to have the look for it.Filmmakers are planning a 2013 release to coincide with the 50th anniversary of JFK’s death.

After impressing in supporting roles in critical darlings “The Grey”, “Shame” and “Flight”, Dale is gearing up for a blockbuster year in 2013. First he’ll play a villainous soldier-turned-cyborg opposite Robert Downey, Jr in “Iron Man 3″, then assist Brad Pitt in stopping the zombie apocalypse in “World War Z” before going back in time with Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp in Gore Verbinski’s “The Lone Ranger.”

Stage actor Jeremy Scott to play JFK assassin Lee Harvey Oswald in “Parkland”

January 2, 2013 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting Leave a comment

Primarily a stage actor, Jeremy Scott is poised for a breakthrough on the big screen as he lands a key role in upcoming JFK assassination drama “Parkland”, joining an all-star cast that includes Zac Efron, Jacki Weaver, Marcia Gay Harden, Paul Giamatti and Billy Bob Thornton to play the role of JFK assassin Lee Harvey Oswald. Variety first reported the news.

Peter Landesman wrote the script and will make his feature directorial debut on the film which chronicles the lead-up to President John F. Kennedy’s assassination and its aftermath. Parkland refers to the hospital where JFK was rushed and where Oswald also died two days later. Filming should begin soon as filmmakers are planning a 2013 release to coincide with the 50th anniversary of JFK’s death.

Strong, who studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, has appeared on and off Broadway and most recently took supporting roles in “Lincoln”, where he played the 16th President’s private secretary opposite Daniel Day Lewis, and “Zero Dark Thirty”, as a fellow CIA operative working alongside Jessica Chastain. He has completed filming on Frank Darabont’s upcoming crime drama series “L.A. Noir.”

Zac Efron joins JFK assassination drama “Parkland”

December 19, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 2 Comments

Paging Dr. Efron! Variety reports that in rather unusual casting news, former “High School Musical” teen hearttrhob Zac Efron will play the role of a doctor in ensemble JFK assassination drama “Parkland”, joining a cast that also includes Jacki Weaver, Marcia Gay Harden, Paul Giamatti and Billy Bob Thornton.

Peter Landesman wrote the script and will make his feature directorial debut on the film which chronicles the lead-up to President John F. Kennedy’s assassination and its aftermath. Parkland refers to the hospital where JFK was rushed and where his assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, also died two days later. Efron will play Dr. Charles Carrico, the first doctor to treat the President on Nov. 22, 1963. Filming should begin soon as filmmakers are planning a 2013 release to coincide with the 50th anniversary of JFK’s death.

Efron, currently seen opposite Nicole Kidman’s Golden Globe nominated and highly controversial role in Lee Daniels’ “The Paperboy”, is gearing up to shoot ensemble rom com “Are We Officially Dating?” opposite Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan and Imogen Poots. He’s also got Ramin Bahrani’s family drama “At Any Price” releasing early next year and is attached to comedy “Townies” with Seth Rogen, as well as Rob Reiner thriller “You Belong to Me” opposite Harrison Ford.

Watch: New trailer for festival hit “Silver Linings Playbook” starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence

September 28, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Videos Leave a comment

The last time a trailer was released for David O. Russell’s dark comedy “Silver Linings Playbook”, no one had seen it. This time, it’s a little different. The Bradley Cooper-Jennifer Lawrence-starrer has since charmed audiences at the Toronto International Film Festival, going on to win the coveted Audience Award, and many an awards pundit are seeing it as a major force to contend with this Oscar season.

Particularly noteworthy are the praises critics are singing in favor of the performances and chemistry between Cooper and Lawrence, who reportedly really elevate the material and make the movie into something special. Cooper plays Pat, recently released from a mental institution following an “incident”, now determined to find the bright side of all things in life. Enter Lawrence’s Tiffany, next door neighbor with some demons of her own. Not surprisingly, the new trailer really puts the spotlight on Cooper and Lawrence with both dramatic and comedic scenes that should play well during Oscar season.

We don’t get to see what the buzz is all about with “Silver Linings Playbook” until it’s released on November 21st, but the new trailer can be viewed right now below.

First poster for Bradley Cooper-Jennifer Lawrence dramedy “Silver Linings Playbook”

September 7, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Images Leave a comment

In the beginning, Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence seemed like an odd pairing. “The Hangover” and “Winter’s Bone” are worlds apart, after all, but could it be that they’re actually the perfect onscreen duo? Both have expanded successfully beyond the films that initially made them famous, and now it seems they’ve found the sweet spot between drama and comedy that caters to both of their strenghts in “Silver Linings Playbook”, David O. Russell’s adaptation of the Matthew Quirk novel that premieres tomorrow night at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Fandango (via The Playlist) debuted the first poster from the film, which is just as quirky and cute as the trailer was. Of course, the film itself is probably a bit more serious than the marketing materials so far would suggest, with Cooper playing a mental institution graduate and Lawrence a depressed widow. Let’s hope there are at least a few scenes that would be Oscar telecast appropriate, at least that’s surely what The Weinstein Company is counting on.

“The Silver Linings Playbook”, which boasts a supporting cast that includes Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver and Chris Tucker, will be released on November 21th. See the full first poster below.

Watch: Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence compare crazy in first trailer for “Silver Linings Playbook”

June 28, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Videos 1 Comment

We knew Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper must have some great chemistry since they were cast in Susanna Bier’s “Serena” in such quick succession behind “Silver Linings Playbook”, but today we have tangible proof of it. The first trailer for the David O. Russell dramedy based on the novel by Matthew Quick has been unveiled, and Cooper and Lawrence both shine in it, displaying a natural, sparkling chemistry.

The two play a pair of emotionally damaged people – he just got out of a stint in a mental institution, she’s turned to sex to deal with grief over the recent death of her husband – who, naturally, begin to find their balance again through getting to know each other. The trailer focuses mostly on comedy, with some witty and sharp lines being exchanged, though this storyline certainly suggests there are probably some meaty, heavier moments for the two actors to chew on as well.

The Weinstein Company is behind it, and it’s just been set for a November 21st release, so clearly Oscar hopes are in play here. Watch the first trailer below and let us know if you think it’s got a shot.

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