Matthew Goode Joining “The Imitation Game” Opposite Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley

June 13, 2013 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 1 Comment

matthew-goode Mathematician biopic “The Imitation Game” has added one more braniac to its roster. The Daily Mail reports British actor Matthew Goode has joined lead Benedict Cumberbatch as well as Keira Knightley in the WWII-set biopic of tortured genius Alan Turing.

Norwegian director Morten Tyldum is helming the film about British mathematician Turing (Cumberbatch), who helped the Allies defeat the Germans by cracking the enemy’s “Enigma Code” during WWII, but a decade later was prosecuted by his own government for being a homosexual. Rather than take a prison sentence, he chose chemical castration, an act that would lead him into the pits of depression and ultimately suicide. Goode will play fellow code-hacker Hugh Alexander, while Knightley is lining up the role of Joan Clarke, another co-worker who was briefly engaged to Turing before he came out to her.

Goode, who many of us will forever remember for his role opposite Mandy Moore in “Chasing Liberty”, most recently played Mia Wasikowska’s creepy Uncle Charlie in “Stoker.” He’s wrapped indie British period drama “Belle” with Sarah Gadon, Sam Claflin and Gugu Mbatha-Raw as well as the pilot for potential Showtime series “The Vatican” opposite Kyle Chandler. He’s also been cast as the devious George Wickham (“Why not Darcy?” cried millions of girls, or was it just me?) in “Pride and Prejudice”-themed BBC miniseries “Death Comes to Pemberly.”

Kaitlyn Dever Joins Lynn Shelton’s “Laggies” with Chloe Moretz and Keira Knightley

June 7, 2013 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 1 Comment

kaitlyn-dever Rising indie actress Kaitlyn Dever has joined the cast of Lynn Shelton’s dark comedy “Laggies”, according to The Wrap. Keira Knightley (who replaced Anne Hathaway) and Chloe Moretz star in the film, with Sam Rockwell and Mark Webber in supporting roles.

Knightley plays Megan, a 28 year old woman who’s stuck in perpetual adolescence. She reacts badly to her boyfriend’s (Webber) marriage proposal, telling everyone she’s going on a work trip but instead hiding out with her new teenage best friend Annika (Moretz), who is outspoken and doesn’t think much about the future (ooh, parallels!). Dever will play Misty, Annika’s loyal best friend. Filming is now underway.

Dever plays Shailene Woodley’s best friend in James Ponsoldt’s Sundance hit “The Spectacular Now” (out August 2nd) and Brie Larson’s out of control charge in SXSW hit “Short Term 12” (out August 23rd). She is a series regular on Tim Allen sitcom “Last Man Standing”, which has been renewed for a third season, and recently signed on to star in coming of age tale “Grass Stains” opposite “Mud” breakout star Tye Sheridan.

Keira Knightley Joining Benedict Cumberbatch in Alan Turing Biopic “The Imitation Game”

June 4, 2013 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting Leave a comment

keiraknightley British actress Keira Knightley is in talks to join Benedict Cumberbatch in “The Imitation Game”, the biopic of tortured mathematical genius Alan Turing, according to Variety. Benedict was cast back in February, taking over the lead role that had once been earmarked for Leonardo Dicaprio.

Norwegian director Morten Tyldum is helming the film about British mathematician Turing, who helped the Allies defeat the Germans by cracking the enemy’s “Enigma Code” during WWII, but a decade later was prosecuted by his own government for being a homosexual. Rather than take a prison sentence, he chose chemical castration, an act that would lead him into the pits of depression and ultimately suicide. There are no details about Knightley’s role, though Variety suggests it’s another prestige project for the Oscar-nominated actress.

Knightley has one of the most diverse portfolios among young actresses her age, having shot to fame thanks to “Pirates of the Caribbean” but quickly proving her acting chops in films like “Atonement”, “Pride and Prejudice” and last year’s “Anna Karenina”, all of which had Joe Wright in the director’s chair. She’s also worked with David Cronenberg on “A Dangerous Method” and recently wrapped up Kenneth Branagh’s action franchise launcher “Jack Ryan” opposite Chris Pine. She’s also wrapped filming on musical drama “Can a Song Save Your Life?” opposite Mark Ruffalo and recently replaced Anne Hathaway in Lynn Shelton’s indie comedy “Laggies.”

Keira Knightley Replacing Anne Hathaway in “Laggies”

May 6, 2013 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 1 Comment

Anne Hathaway landed a big role in Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar”, so she can be forgiven for having to rearrange her previous schedule a bit to accommodate such an opportunity. EW reports that indeed, Hathaway’s commitment to “Interstellar” has forced her to drop Lynn Shelton’s indie comedy “Laggies”, but the film is not hurting for talent, because Keira Knightley is stepping into the lead role.

The long-gestating project will see Knightley as Megan, a perpetually immature 28 year old, who responds to her boyfriend’s (Mark Webber) marriage proposal with a major freakout. Telling everyone she’s going on a work-related trip, she instead spends a week hanging out with her new best friend, Chloe Moretz’s 16 year old high school student. Sam Rockwell is also part of the cast.

Knightley shot to fame thanks to the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise but has also earned critical acclaim thanks to a partnership with British director Joe Wright, who put her in “Atonement”, “Pride & Prejudice” and last year’s “Anna Karenina,” even landing her an Oscar nomination. She’s wrapped up shooting on Kenneth Branagh’s action franchise launcher “Jack Ryan” opposite Chris Pine as well as John Carney’s musical drama “Can a Song Save Your Life?” opposite Mark Ruffalo and Hailee Steinfeld.

Faces to Watch: Oscar 2012 Edition, from Jennifer Lawrence to the young cast of “Les Miserables”

December 10, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Awards, Features Leave a comment

It’s almost that time of year again, when young actors who are lucky enough to be recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences see a drastic rise in their profiles and the movie offers come flooding in. But first, you have to get nominated. With critics awards already underway and the SAG and Golden Globe nominations both coming this week (!!), now is the perfect time to check in on the dozens of young actors who are vying for just a few spots come Oscar nomination time on January 15th.

From likely winners to maybe-nominees to long shots that deserve some more attention (in descending order), we assess the chances of up and coming actors in each acting category below.

Start Here: Best Actress >>

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It’s Chris Pine to the rescue in our first look at Keira Knightley on the set of Kenneth Branagh’s “Jack Ryan” reboot

September 18, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Images Leave a comment

What’s the point of being an action hero if there’s no beautiful damsel in distress to rescue? Keira Knightley provides ample motivation for Chris Pine as CIA operative Jack Ryan to spring into action in our first look at the British actress filming the female lead role in Kenneth Branagh’s reboot of the popular spy action franchise.

Lainey Gossip has the first photos from what appears to be the reunion scene after a dramatic action sequence between Pine’s Ryan and Knightley’s Caroline Muller, who eventually becomes his wife. In this new incarnation of Tom Clancy’s famed literary figure, previously played by Harrison Ford, Alec Baldwin and Ben Affleck on the big screen, Pine plays Ryan who’s an ex-Marine and works in Moscow, where he “discovers a plot by his employer to finance a terrorist attack designed to collapse the U.S. economy, and must race against time to save America and his wife.”

Filming is now underway on location in Liverpool (it was in Manhattan previously, where we got our first glimpse of Pine as Ryan), with the still untitled reboot set for a December 25, 2013 release. See the full photos below and head to Lainey Gossip for more.

First Look: Chris Pine springs into action as “Jack Ryan” in first official photo

August 31, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Images 1 Comment

Now that they’ve locked down a leading lady and a release date, it seems Paramount is eager to move fast on Kenneth Branagh’s reboot of Tom Clancy franchise “Jack Ryan”, this time with Chris Pine in the titular role, following in the footsteps of Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford and Ben Affleck.

Branagh himself will also play the villain in the reboot, and Kevin Costner is on board as Ryan’s CIA liaison, as well as Keira Knightley as Ryan’s love interest and eventual wife. Today the first official photo from the film has been released, and shows Pine as Ryan pretty casually speeding down a busy street on a motorcycle, not at all dressed according to safety regulations. Cool guys don’t look at explosions or wear helmets.

Filming is demonstrably now underway in Manhattan, with the still untitled reboot set for a December 25, 2013 release. See the full photo below.

Keira Knightley wins female lead in “Jack Ryan” reboot opposite Chris Pine

August 10, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 4 Comments

Keira Knightley has emerged victorious and is in negotiations to star opposite Chris Pine in Kenneth Branagh’s reboot of the “Jack Ryan” franchise, according to THR. Knightley had been vying for the part of Caroline Muller along with “Lost” actress Evangeline Lilly and Sundance breakout star Felicty Jones, but she had been the frontrunner all along and now it’s just about official.

The character of Jack Ryan first appeared in Clancy’s novel “The Hunt for Red October” and he was portrayed in the film of the same name by Alec Baldwin. The ex-soldier, CIA operative and all-around American superhero has also been played by Harrison Ford (“Clear and Present Danger”, “Patriot Games”) and Ben Affleck (“Sum of All Fears”). Each incarnation features a slightly different version of the prolific action hero, and Pine’s is an ex-Marine who’s working as an analyst in Moscow. There, he “discovers a plot by his employer to finance a terrorist attack designed to collapse the U.S. economy, and must race against time to save America and his wife.” Branagh will also be playing the villain role in addition to directing Pine and Knightley.

Knightley shot to fame as the star of Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise, though she has mostly stuck to high profile prestige projects since, and has earned many accolades, including an Oscar nomination, working with Joe Wright in “Atonement” and “Pride and Prejudice.” The duo are teaming up for a third time in the releasing-this-fall “Anna Karenina”, though it appears Knightley is ready to dip her toe back into studio fare.

Keira Knightley, Felicity Jones and Evangeline Lilly vying for “Jack Ryan” female lead opposite Chris Pine

August 1, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 1 Comment

The next Next Big Role for young actresses is up for grabs and some familiar names are vying for it. Deadline reports Kenneth Branagh’s “Jack Ryan” franchise relaunch, which stars Chris Pine, is looking at Keira Knightley, Felicity Jones and Evangeline Lilly for the female lead. Knightley is reportedly in the lead for the role of Caroline Muller, love interest and eventual wife to the Tom Clancy created character.

The character of Jack Ryan first appeared in Clancy’s novel “The Hunt for Red October” and he was portrayed in the film of the same name by Alec Baldwin. The ex-soldier, CIA operative and all-around American superhero has also been played by Harrison Ford (“Clear and Present Danger”, “Patriot Games”) and Ben Affleck (the ill-fated reboot attempt “Sum of All Fears”). Each incarnation features a slightly different version of the prolific action hero, and Pine’s is an ex-Marine who’s working as an analyst in Moscow. There, he “discovers a plot by his employer to finance a terrorist attack designed to collapse the U.S. economy, and must race against time to save America and his wife.” [Variety]

Keira Knightley out, Julianne Hough in for Nicholas Sparks adaptation “Safe Haven” opposite Josh Duhamel

May 18, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting Leave a comment

Keira Kinghtley said no, will Julianne Hough say yes? Variety reports it’s the “Dancing with the Stars” graduate who is now in negotiations to star in the latest Nicholas Sparks big screen adaptation, Lasse Hallstrom’s “Safe Haven”, which already has Josh Duhamel as its leading man.

Hough will play Katie, a mysterious young woman who shows up in a small coastal town in North Carolina harboring dark secrets about her past. Though she tries to avoid it, she falls for handsome widower Alex (Duhamel), with two young children in tow, and forms a friendship with her next door neighbor Jo. Her past catches up to her and we can only assume that at least one person will end up dead and everyone else depressed in the end. The film already has a release date of February 8, 2013, with filming set to begin ASAP.

After dancing her way to stardom on hit ABC reality series “Dancing with the Stars” (she was a dancer, not a star), Hough has been steadily landing high profile big screen roles, first taking on the female lead in the “Footloose” remake, then the big screen adaptation of Broadway musical “Rock of Ages”, out next month. She recently wrapped playing another lead, in Diablo Cody’s untitled drama formerly known as “Lamb of God”, and starring in “Safe Haven” seems right in step with her repertoire thus far.

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