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
•••••

the social network

Jesse Eisenberg In for “Oslo, August 31st” Director’s English Language Debut “Louder Than Bombs”

May 9, 2013 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting Leave a comment

jesse-eisenberg Norwegian director Joachim Trier, known for 2011 drama “Oslo, August 31st”, is set to make his English language directorial debut on family drama “Louder Than Bombs” and he’s recruited Isabelle Huppert, Gabriel Byrne and Jesse Eisenberg to star in it.

Set to shoot this fall in the US and Germany, the film revolves around a late wartime photographer (Huppert) and the family she left behind. Three years after her death, on the eve of a retrospective of her work, her husband (Byrne) and two sons (Eisenberg being one of them) discover an unsettling secret from her past. Trier says his film, which he also co-wrote with long-time collaborator Eskil Vogt, “is a character-driven piece so I am obviously thrilled to have such incredible actors working with me on this. Isabelle, Jesse, and Gabriel are all actors I have wanted to work with for a long time, so having them play together as one family feels remarkable.”

Eisenberg, who earned an Oscar nomination for David Fincher’s “The Social Network”, was last seen in Woody Allen’s “To Rome with Love” and will next appear in magician heist thriller “Now You See Me.” He’s also wrapped shooting on Dostoyevsky adaptation “The Double” with Mia Wasikowska and eco-terrorist thriller “Night Moves” with Dakota Fanning.

Andrew Garfield to Star in Martin Scorsese’s “Silence”

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

andrew-garfield The most unexpected casting news of the week goes to… Andrew Garfield hasn’t committed to a film outside the franchise since becoming “The Amazing Spider-Man” back in 2010, but now he’s back in a big way. Variety reports Garfield has signed on for the lead role in Martin Scorsese’s long-gestating passion project “Silence.”

Scorsese has been trying to make the film for over twenty years, but things are finally clicking into the exact right places for him to begin shooting in June of 2014. Set in the 17th Century when Japan is in a period of religious persecution of Christians, Garfield will play the role of Father Rodrigues, a Jesuit priest who travels to the country amid rumors that his mentor has abandoned the Church. Ken Watanabe plays Rodrigues’ interpreter, and a largely Japanese cast also includes Issei Ogata. The film will mostly be in Japanese, and Scorsese expects it will be smaller than his last few films, but insists it is still a thriller which should have broad appeal.

Garfield had been poised to become of the new A-Listers to take over Hollywood after his critically acclaimed (and should have been Oscar nominated) role in David Fincher’s “The Social Network” coupled with a career-making get in becoming Marc Webb’s “The Amazing Spider-Man”, but though he was pursued for various projects like Doug Liman’s “Luna”, Warren Beatty’s Howard Hughes biopic and the troubled “Akira” adaptation, he has not committed to a film since becoming Peter Parker. He did find time to star in “Death of a Salesman” on Broadway last year, for which he was nominated for a Tony, but it will very good to have him back on the big screen.

Armie Hammer to Star with Tom Cruise in “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.”

April 24, 2013 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 1 Comment

There’s a pattern starting to form in Armie Hammer’s career. After starring opposite Johnny Depp in the high risk, big budget remake of “The Lone Ranger”, Hammer is apparently keen to work on another project with the same Big Movie Star/Iffy Two-Hander Remake combo, and Deadline reports he’s found it in Guy Ritchie’s “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.”, which will see Hammer paired up with Tom Cruise.

This is the 1960s buddy cop comedy style spy series that Warner Bros has been trying to put together for some time. At one point it looked like Bradley Cooper might be in it or maybe Joel Edgerton but neither of those panned out and then-director Steven Soderbergh walked away. Enter Ritchie, and then Cruise, whose still potent box office prowess guaranteed this movie will be made after all. Cruise is taking the Napoleon Solo role, with Hammer in line for his sidekick Illya Kuryakin. The two work for United Network Command for Law Enforcement (or U.N.C.L.E.) and use their charm, wit and advanced spy technology on missions.

Hammer has been on our radar since his breakout performance in David Fincher’s 2010 masterpiece “The Social Network”, in which he played twins, but his follow-up career hasn’t seemed to live up to his potential. A Prince role in the other Snow White movie “Mirror Mirror” turned out to be a dud, and aside from “The Lone Ranger” – we’ll see how that turns out on July 3rd – he’s attached to a string of indies that seem to have no momentum, among them “By Virtue Fall” with Eric Bana and “Cut Bank” with Teresa Palmer.

Josh Pence Cast in Kevin Costner Football Drama “Draft Day”

April 18, 2013 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting Leave a comment

The “unsung hero” of “The Social Network”, Josh Pence has gone on to be the little-seen unsung hero of most of his films since, but could that finally change with his latest? The Wrap reports Pence has landed a supporting role in football drama “Draft Day”, which Ivan Reitman is directing and Kevin Costner, Jennifer Garner, Denis Leary, Ellen Burstyn and Frank Langella are starring in.

Costner will play the Cleveland Browns General Manager, who must make tough professional and personal choices in the 24 hour period of the NFL draft as he trades for the number one pick. Rajiv Joseph and Scott Rothman wrote the script, which ended up on last year’s Black List. Leary will play the new head coach of the team, who butts heads with Costner, while Langella plays the owner of the team and Burstyn will play Costner’s mother. Pence will play the expected first pick of the NFL draft (so presumably he may finally get some screentime). The film will shoot at the actual NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York on April 25th.

Pence played a twin alongside Armie Hammer in David Fincher’s “The Social Network”, but had to see Hammer’s face superimposed over his body in the finished product. He’s scored cameo-sized roles in “The Dark Knight Rises” and “Gangster Squad” since, but is clearly still looking for more substantial roles.

Dakota Johnson joins Aaron Paul and Imogen Poots in “Need for Speed” video game adaptation

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

Promising rising actress Dakota Johnson is free to return to movies now that her Fox comedy series “Ben and Kate” is in limbo. Her first post-sitcom project is a big one: Deadline reports Johnson is set to join the cast of video game adaptation “Need for Speed”, which already has Aaron Paul, Imogen Poots and Dominic Cooper in starring roles, and a supporting cast rounded out by Michael Keaton, Rami Malek, Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi and Ramon Rodriguez.

Scott Waugh is directing the film which is set in the 1970s, and Paul plays Tobey, an underground race car driver who is framed and imprisoned when his best friend is murdered. Upon his release, he races across the country at top speed to seek revenge. Cooper plays an ex-NASCAR driver who runs a business building supercars, while Poots will play an exotic car dealer. No word yet on what car-related jobs Johnson and the rest of the supporting cast will hold. Filming will begin soon as the movie already has a February 7, 2014 release scheduled.

Johnson, one of our Faces to Watch in 2012, disappeared from the big screen after landing the lead in Fox comedy series “Ben and Kate.” She impressed us in supporting but memorable turns in “The Social Network”, “21 Jump Street” and “Five Year Engagement” so we are glad to see her back to doing films, where her keen comedic chops should gain more notice.

Jesse Eisenberg, Diane Kruger and Emile Hirsch sign on to 1940s-set drama “Midnight Sun”

February 7, 2013 | Posted by Rebecca Lewis in Casting Leave a comment

Now here’s an interesting project with some talented actors. Jesse Eisenberg, Emile Hirsch and Diane Kruger are attached to star in 1940s set drama “Midnight Sun“.

It’s 1943 and two young postgraduates (Eisenberg and Hirsch) are “recruited by the US Government to work on a top-secret project in New Mexico. Along with one of the students’ new wife (Kruger), they drop their jazz-filled lives in New York and move to a secret community of scientists in the desert.”

Screen Daily report from Berlinale that Chris Eigeman has scripted the film and will also sit in the director’s chair. Production will begin this summer.

German actress Kruger first got our attention in Quentin Tarantino’s Oscar-nominated “Inglorious Basterds” and has since gone on to join high-profile adaptation “The Host”, which is due out late March 2013, indie romcom “5-7” with fellow rising actor Anton Yelchin, and young Lincoln biopic “The Green Blade Rises” with Brit Marling.

After a few years away from the big screen Hirsch recently won raves at Sundance Film Festival for “Prince Avalanche“, a David Gordon Green pic with Paul Rudd, and joined Peter Berg’s “Lone Survivor”, a chronicle of SEAL team members in Afghanistan.

Eisenberg, who broke out in “The Social Network” garnering an Oscar nominee for his performance, has been picking his roles carefully since but will next be seen in “Now You See Me”, a futuristic magic thriller.

Oscar Isaac and Max Minghella to play brothers in Kieran Darcy-Smith’s “Memorial Day”

December 17, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 1 Comment

The “10 Years” co-stars are set for another reunion as Deadline reports Oscar Isaac and Max Minghella are attached to star in “Wish You Were Here” director Kieran Darcy-Smith’s next feature, “Memorial Day.”

Though plot details are sparse, Isaac and Minghella will play a pair of brothers who struggle to “redress the fallout” following a family tragedy. The plan is to shoot in Florida next year, but financing must be firmed up first and a third crucial role needs to be cast. Meanwhile, the director is also juggling two other features which he may end up directing before “Memorial Day.”

Isaac and Minghella played high school classmates reunited at their 10 year reunion in Channing Tatum’s “10 Years”, and have emerged two of the fastest rising stars of the large ensemble cast. Isaac played the lead in the Coen Brothers’ upcoming 1960s musical drama “Inside Llewyn Davis” and also recently wrapped up shooting on thriller “Two Faces of January” with Viggo Mortensen and Kirsten Dunst and French Victorian drama “Therese” opposite Elizabeth Olsen. He’ll next journey into the “Mojave” for a psychological thriller with Jason Clarke.

Minghella was seen in prominent roles in David Fincher’s “The Social Network” and George Clooney’s “The Ides of March”, and recently wrapped up the lead role in indie “Not Safe for Work” for “Captain America” director Joe Johnston. He recently wrapped comedy “The Internship” opposite Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson and is shooting supernatural thriller “Horns” opposite Daniel Radcliffe.

Armie Hammer rumored to be “back on WB’s radar” for Batman in new “Justice League”

October 9, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting 1 Comment

Another day, another bombshell superhero rumor. The one making the rounds today comes courtesy of Moviehole, who allege that Warner Bros, in the midst of putting together a new “Justice League” movie in answer to Marvel’s “The Avengers”, is looking to a familiar face to play one of the League’s marquee members: Batman.

Back in 2007, a then-unknown Armie Hammer had come thisclose to immortalizing his Bruce Wayne on screen; he had tried on the suit and was days away from shooting on George Miller’s “Justice League of America.” Then, the writer’s strike happened, the film lost nearly half of its funding, and the project went up in smoke. In the years since, Hammer has become a much more recognizable screen presence, thanks in no small part due to his portrayal of twins in David Fincher’s “The Social Network”, and Moviehole’s sources believe he is back at the top of WB’s wishlist to take on the role that was once his in this new incarnation of the DC superhero team-up.

Read more

Justin Timberlake to star in romantic dramedy “The Last Drop”

September 26, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting Leave a comment

Continuing to stay the busiest “Social Network” alum, Justin Timberlake has lined up his next project. Variety reports Timerblake will play the lead in indie romantic dramedy “The Last Drop” for “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist” director Peter Sollett. Timberlake will play a charming alcoholic food critic who realizes he must change his ways when he meets the girl of his dreams. The script by Brandon and Phil Murphy appeared on the 2011 Black List.

After wowing critics with his portrayal of Napster founder Sean Parker in David Fincher’s “The Social Network”, Timberlake has leveraged a nice, serious film career for himself, arguably a better one than many of his co-stars thus far. He can currently be seen opposite Clint Eastwood and Amy Adams in baseball family drama “Trouble With the Curve” and recently wrapped up gambling thriller “Runner Runner” opposite Ben Affleck and Anthony Mackie. He’ll next be seen alongside Carey Mulligan and Oscar Isaac in the Coen Brothers’ 1960s set folk music drama “Inside Llewyn Davis.”

Max Minghella joins Daniel Radcliffe in supernatural thriller “Horns”

September 5, 2012 | Posted by Linda Ge in Casting Leave a comment

Max Minghella is in talks to join Daniel Radcliffe in supernatural thriller “Horns”, according to Variety. Radcliffe plays Ignatius Perrish, a man who, on the anniversary of the murder of his beloved girlfriend, grows horns and supernatural powers, the ability to drive people “to confess their sins and give in to their most selfish and unspeakable impulses.” He the, naturally, begins to use his powers to solve the mystery of his girlfriend’s gruesome death. Minghella will play Lee Tourneau, a compassionate public defender who’s got a hidden dark side. Keith Bunin adapted the screenplay back in 2009, before the original Joe Hill novel was even published, and Alex Aja will direct this fall.

Minghella was seen in prominent roles in David Fincher’s “The Social Network” and George Clooney’s “The Ides of March”, and recently wrapped up the lead role in indie “Not Safe for Work” for “Captain America” director Joe Johnston. He’ll next be seen opposite Channing Tatum and a plethora of 20-something rising stars in high school reunion drama “10 Years”, and is currently filming Owen Wilson-Vince Vaughn comedy “The Internship.”

Page 1 of 612345...Last »