“Evil Dead” Star Jessica Lucas Joins Kit Harington and Emily Browning in “Pompeii”

April 8, 2013 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 1 Comment

jessica-lucas Fresh off the #1 movie in the country, “Evil Dead” star Jessica Lucas has joined the cast of the currently-filming period actioner “Pompeii”, according to Deadline.

Paul W. S. Anderson is currently directing the 3D epic in Toronto, and it stars “Game of Thrones” actor Kit Harington as a slave named Milo, who is desperate to buy his freedom and marry the love of his life, played by Emily Browning, who happens to be his master’s daughter. She’s promised to someone else and he’s sold to another owner, but maybe a little natural disaster can bring the two together again. Mt. Vesuvius erupts, prompting Milo to return to Pompeii to rescue his girl as well as his best friend, a gladiator who’s trapped in the city’s coliseum, played by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. Lucas will play a slave and confidant to Browning’s character Flavia.

Lucas broke out in Joss Whedon’s brilliant (and brilliantly marketed) sci-fi thriller “Cloverfield” and was a series regular on The CW’s recent “Melrose Place” reboot, which lasted two seasons. She also starred in the network’s murder mystery thriller series “Cult”, but it’s now on the chopping block too after low ratings prompted a move to Friday nights. She recently wrapped up filming rom com “Are We Officially Dating?” with Zac Efron, Miles Teller and Michael B. Jordan. Since it’s far too scary for me to ever see, I wouldn’t be able to tell you if her character survived “Evil Dead” to appear in the sequel, which is almost sure to happen now.

Emily Browning joins Kit Harington in Paul W. S. Anderson’s “Pompeii”

February 20, 2013 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 1 Comment

“Game of Thrones” actor Kit Harington has found his love interest for Paul W. S. Anderson’s historical action flick “Pompeii” in Australian actress Emily Browning, according to The Toronto Star.

Harington will play a slave named Milo, who is desperate to buy his freedom and marry the love of his life, played by Browning, who happens to be his master’s daughter. She’s promised to someone else and he’s sold to another owner, but maybe a little natural disaster can bring the two together again. Mt. Vesuvius erupts, prompting Milo to return to Pompeii to rescue his girl as well as his best friend, a gladiator who’s trapped in the city’s coliseum. Lee Batchler and Janet Scott Batchler wrote the script, which was then rewritten by “Downton Abbey” creator Julian Fellowes. Filming on the $80+ million budged production begins in April in Toronto. Producer Don Carmody estimates the scope and style will be similar to “300.”

As we exclusively revealed in November, Browning will soon be seen in a cameo sized role – which should be expanded for sequels if the first film does well enough – in Andrew Niccol’s alien invasion actioner “The Host”, based on the novel by Stephenie Meyer, and recently wrapped up shooting on indie romantic drama “Summer in February” opposite Dominic Cooper and “Downton Abbey” star Dan Stevens. She recently premiered thriller “Magic Magic” at Sundance with Juno Temple and Michael Cera, and is probably still best known for playing Violent in “Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events”, as well as Babydoll in Zack Snyder’s “Sucker Punch.”

The newest YA heroine needs a co-star. Who should play Four in “Divergent”?

January 31, 2013 | Posted by Lindsey Young in Casting, Features 1 Comment

With the announcement that Shaliene Woodley has been cast in the lead role in the upcoming dystopian “Divergent“, as well as Kate Winslet being in talks for an unknown role, this adaptation of the YA novel just got a little more real. Naturally, the next course of action will be to seek out other young individuals (well-known or perhaps not) to fill out the rest of the roles of Tris’ friends and foes alike. It’s no surprise that among Tris’ circle of friends is a love interest, and yes, it’s time to play the casting game again.

After Woodley’s negotiations became public knowledge last year, names were thrown into the casting mix for the pivotal role of “Four”, Tris’ mentor-turned-love interest. Alexander Ludwig (Cato of “The Hunger Games“) tweeted that he had a meeting with Lionsgate about the role. Not too long after, “Teen Wolf” star Colton Haynes caused much speculation among fans when he announced his departure from the MTV show and soon after followed Veronica Roth, author of “Divergent” on twitter while tweeting that he had some “news” to share soon. Related instances? Who knows. They were, however, perhaps meaningless ones as earlier this month, Alex Pettyfer, Lucas Till and Jeremy Irvine were reported to have auditioned for the role. The search is definitely on, but nothing and no one has been confirmed as of yet.

Of the names who have been thrown into the pool, there are some that we at Up and Comers could see as Four – but then there are also some that we think should stay far, far away from this adaptation lest they just turn him into another lacking portrayal of a character with so much to work with. In the words of our Tris Prior herself, “This character needs to be extremely masculine, and his eyes need to scream vulnerability and sensitivity.” We agree, Shailene. And so here are five actors that we think would be great as Tris’ mentor and eventual love interest.

“Game of Thrones” star Kit Harington to star in Paul W.S. Anderson’s volcanic historical actioner “Pompeii”

November 13, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting Leave a comment

Jon Snow is leaving The Wall for something much, much warmer. Variety reports “Game of Thrones” star Kit Harington is in negotiations to take the lead role in Paul W. S. Anderson’s next film, the 79 A.D. set volcano-eruption disaster flick “Pompeii.”

Harington will play a slave named Milo, who is desperate to buy his freedom and marry the love of his life, who happens to be his master’s daughter. She’s promised to someone else and he’s sold to another owner, but maybe a little natural disaster can bring the two together again. Mt. Vesuvius erupts, prompting Milo to return to Pompeii to rescue his girl as well as his best friend, a gladiator who’s trapped in the city’s coliseum. Lee Batchler and Janet Scott Batchler wrote the script, which was then rewritten by “Downton Abbey” creator Julian Fellowes.

No word on when filming begins, though presumably it will be while Harington is on break from playing Jon Snow on hit HBO series “Game of Thrones”, which is heading into its third season next year. He recently made his feature film debut in video game sequel adaptation “Silent Hill: Revelation 3D” and also lends his voice to next year’s “How to Train Your Dragon 2.”

Kit Harington signs on for psychological thriller “Greenland Time” with Vera Farmiga

June 7, 2012 | Posted by Rebecca Lewis in Casting 1 Comment

The summer months are here so it’s time to watch TV show actors and actresses hang up their small screen character for a few months and try on some big screen shoes instead.

One such actor making the most of his time away from HBO’s “Game of Thrones” is Kit Harington, who is currently filming WB’s “The Seventh Son”, starring opposite Ben Barnes and Alicia Vikander.

Now Screen Daily reports that Harington has signed on to play opposite Vera Farmiga (“Up in the Air”) in the psychological thriller “Greenland Time“. Scripted by David Newman and Catherine Linstrum, the pair will also direct, making this their directorial debut.

Set to start filming later this year, the film follows Farmiga’s character, a woman who is “out for revenge on the man who killed her daughter in a hit-and-run accident.”

Kit Harington and Joel Kinnaman out, Colin Farrell in for “Arthur and Lancelot”

March 14, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 2 Comments

The good news: one of my most anticipated upcoming projects that had seemed DOA a couple of months ago, may now be back on. Variety first reported that Warner Bros has tentatively revived David Dobkin’s Arthurian legend actioner “Arthur and Lancelot”, but here’s the bad news: rising stars Kit Harington and Joel Kinnaman, who had been set to take on the roles of Arthur and Lancelot, respectively, are now both out due to new scheduling conflicts as a result of the delay. The film had been set to begin shooting in January for a projected March 15, 2013 release, but all of that is out the window now.

The studio is now talking to a bigger star to take the lead, with THR reporting that the roguish and charming Colin Farrell is eyeing the role of Lancelot. Plot details are allegedly under wraps, but earlier reports indicated this incarnation sees Arthur as an orphan being raised by a poor knight in a small village while Lancelot is a nobleman disgruntled with the current state of politics. Dobkin has said it revolves around “the birth of democracy as a concept and it’s positing Arthur as the first man to say all men are created equal.”

After the delay and seeming cancellation of “Arthur and Lancelot”, Harington went on to join Warner Bros’ “The Seventh Son” and is currently filming season 2 of HBO’s hit series “Game of Thrones.” Kinnaman’s career is going even better, having recently landed the lead in MGM’s “Robocop” reboot. He, too, is back at work on the second season of his own hit series, AMC’s “The Killing.”

“Game of Thrones” star Kit Harington joins “The Seventh Son”

February 7, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 1 Comment

“Arthur and Lancelot” may be on hold for now, but Warner Bros is clearly keen on Kit Harington, who had been cast to play the Once and Future King. Variety reports the “Game of Thrones” actor has joined the cast of WB’s “The Seventh Son”, starring opposite Jeff Bridges, Ben Barnes, Julianne Moore and Alicia Vikander.

Barnes replaced Sam Claflin in the lead role last May and will play Tom, a young apprentice to a sorcerer (Bridges) who fights ghosts and other evil supernatural creatures in 1700′s England. The two will fend off Moore’s evil witch while Barnes falls for Vikander’s nice witch. Harington will play Bridges’ former apprentice. Sergey Bodrov will direct and cameras will finally start rolling this April.

The timing turned out to be perfect for Harington, who is due back on the set for season two of HBO’s smash hit series “Game of Thrones” soon after the shoot. After being put through the wringer to finally land the role of Arthur in “Arthur and Lancelot” opposite Joel Kinnaman’s Lancelot, the roller coaster quickly took another dive when the entire project was scrapped due to budgetary concerns. Like “Akira”, “Paradise Lost” and “The Lone Ranger”, it’s probable the film will live once again, but for now, Harington will stay close to the studio with “The Seventh Son.”

Marion Cotillard offered Morgana in “Arthur and Lancelot” opposite Kit Harington and Joel Kinnaman

December 1, 2011 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting Leave a comment

Still no Guinevere in sight for the new adaptation of “Arthur and Lancelot”, but looks like Warner Bros and director David Dobkin are closing in on some heavy talent for the role of sorceress Morgana, half-sister to Arthur (and spoiler alert: the mother of his child, Mordred). Vulture reports French actress and Oscar winner Marion Cotillard has been offered the role opposite “Game of Thrones” star Kit Harington as Arthur and “The Killing” star Joel Kinnaman as Lancelot.

Recently THR unearthed some specifics to the previously vague plot. Harington’s Arthur will be an illegitimate son being raised by a poor knight in a small village while Lancelot is a disillusioned nobleman. Arthur’s eventual rise to becoming an inspiring leader positions him “as the first man to say all men are created equal”, according to Dobkin. Disappointingly, THR believes that at this stage of the game, Guinevere will most likely only have a small role, with more prominence if the film is successful enough to garner sequels. Morgana, on the other hand, may prove to be a pivotal role, if it could attract the level of talent and star power that Cotillard possesses (if she accepts, of course).

Cotillard, who won an Oscar for Best Actress for her role as French chanteuse Edith Piaf in 2007′s “La Vie en Rose”, is a favorite of Warner Bros, having starred for them in “Inception”, then “Contagion” and next “The Dark Knight Rises.” She was also recently seen as a 1920s seductress in Woody Allen’s charming Oscar hopeful “Midnight in Paris.”

Kit Harington is the once and future king in “Arthur and Lancelot” opposite Joel Kinnaman

November 18, 2011 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 2 Comments

Looks like perseverance has paid off for “Game of Thrones” actor Kit Harington. After emerging as a front-runner and testing for David Dobkin’s “Arthur and Lancelot” only to watch his scene partner Joel Kinnaman land the role of Lancelot, and then asked to re-test for the role of Arthur against more competitors, Variety reports Harington is Arthur after all. A schedule is now being hammered out for the actor to do both the film and the second season of “Game of Thrones”, which is currently filming.

Dobkin’s vision for the film remains vague with no plot details revealed, though he has said: “You know Arthur’s superpower is compassion and vision. I will tell you this, the whole thing is wrapped around the birth of democracy as a concept and it’s positing Arthur as the first man to say all men are created equal.” Variety updates that despite Dobkin’s tendencies towards comedy in the past (he directed “The Wedding Crashers” and “The Change-Up”), “Arthur and Lancelot” will be a “Braveheart”-style action epic. Let’s hope it doesn’t stray too close to that other “Braveheart”-style adaptation of Arthurian legend, “King Arthur.”

Harington, who beat out the likes of Sam Claflin, Luke Evans and Toby Kebbell for the role of Arthur, is back at work on season 2 of HBO’s monstrous hit “Game of Thrones”, after not landing another high profile role, that of Jared in Andrew Niccol’s adaptation of “Twilight” author Stephenie Meyer’s “The Host.”

“Arthur and Lancelot” will begin filming in early 2012 and already has a March 15, 2013 release date.

Jake Abel will be Ian in “The Host” opposite Saoirse Ronan

November 8, 2011 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 2 Comments

One down, one to go. Deadline reports one of the two male leads in Andrew Niccol’s adaptation of “Twilight” author Stephenie Meyer’s “The Host” has been settled. Actor Jake Abel is now in negotiations for the role of Ian opposite Saoirse Ronan, after beating out Dane DeHaan, Thomas McDonnell and Augustus Prew, who made up the rest of the finalists. The other male lead, Jared, remains up for grabs amongst, presumably, the shortlist that consists of Liam Hemsworth, Kit Harington, Max Irons and Jai Courtney.

The story centers around a post-apocalyptic world in which aliens called Souls have body-snatched and are occupying the majority of the human population. Ronan plays Melanie Stryder, whose body is taken over by a Soul named Wanderer. However, Melanie’s strong will to survive have the two consciousnesses fighting for domination and eventually becoming allies as they set out to find Jared, the man Melanie loves, and their small colony of human resistance. When they get there, Ian forms a connection with Wanderer, and a love quandrangle in three bodies gets underway. Set to begin filming next spring, “The Host” already has a release date of March 29, 2013.

This isn’t Abel’s first encounter with the world of Stephenie Meyer. He, perhaps like every other young actor in town, auditioned for the role of Edward Cullen in “Twilight”, which has made an international superstar out of Robert Pattinson. Abel previously worked with Ronan on Peter Jackson’s “The Lovely Bones” and has already starred in teen actioners like “Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief” and “I Am Number Four” though “The Host” should propel him to another level of his career.

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