Moviefone Editorial

Tag: casting

  • Denzel Washington Reportedly in Talks for Thriller ‘Little Things’

    Denzel Washington Reportedly in Talks for Thriller ‘Little Things’

    Paramount Pictures

    Denzel Washington may go serial killer-hunting for Warner Bros.

    The Academy Award winner is reportedly in negotiations to join the upcoming thriller “Little Things.” Sources tell Variety that he’d star as Deke, a Kern County deputy sheriff with a penchant for picking up small details. Writer-director John Lee Hancock (“The Highwaymen”) penned the script and is said to be in contention to helm the project.

    “Little Things” centers on Deke as he tries to catch a calculating serial killer with the help of a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department detective named Baxter. Deke, who has a dark secret, will apparently be willing to skirt the rules, placing Baxter in a terrible position. So far, no actor has been reported as a front-runner to play Baxter.

    Washington is, of course, in high demand, and Variety reports that he has multiple options to consider. While many actors may opt to star in several films in a year given the chance, Washington isn’t one of them. His most recent films include 2018’s “The Equalizer 2,” 2017’s “Roman J. Israel, Esq.,” and 2016’s “Fences” and “The Magnificent Seven.”

    [via: Variety]

  • Idris Elba May Step in as Will Smith’s ‘Suicide Squad 2’ Replacement

    Idris Elba May Step in as Will Smith’s ‘Suicide Squad 2’ Replacement

    Hobbs & Shaw poster
    Universal Pictures

    With Will Smith out for the “Suicide Squad” sequel, another actor may fill the void left in the DCEU.

    The film’s writer and director, James Gunn, reportedly met with Idris Elba. The meeting went so well that the actor is now in talks to replace Smith, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The publication says he is the top choice — as well as the only choice.

    Smith had to exit the project due to scheduling conflicts, per Variety, which apparently created quite the dilemma. Gunn had already written the “Suicide Squad 2” script, and while it does reportedly involve new DC characters, Smith’s character, Deadshot, was expected to be among those returning.

    The original film’s star-studded cast included Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, Jay Hernandez, and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. Elba, too, would bring star power to the series. He has been in a number of notable projects in recent years such as the Star Trek films, “Avengers: Infinity War” and other MCU flicks, and “The Jungle Book.” He’ll also star in the upcoming Fast & Furious spinoff, “Hobbs & Shaw,” and he plays the lead character in the new Netflix series “Turn Up Charlie.”

    “Suicide Squad 2” is due out Aug. 6, 2021.

    [via: THR]

  • ‘Bond 25’ Casting: Rami Malek Reportedly in Talks to Play Villain

    ‘Bond 25’ Casting: Rami Malek Reportedly in Talks to Play Villain

    Rami Malek in Mr. Robot
    USA Network

    Although we know Daniel Craig is returning as 007 in the next James Bond film, “Bond 25,” there are still a number of casting decisions to be made. New reports indicate that casting is heating up and the film’s villain may have been found.

    Rami Malek is reportedly poised to join the film. Sources tell Collider that the actor is in final talks to play the villain. Producers have been trying to nab Malek for months, according to Variety. He has garned a lot of acclaim in recent years, including an Oscar win for 2018’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and a 2016 Emmy win for “Mr. Robot.”

    With Malek still starring in “Mr. Robot,” scheduling was reportedly an issue. Collider’s source said that his team had to negotiate to make “Bond 25” work with his shooting schedule. The show’s fourth and final season is slated to premiere later this year.

    Billy Magnussen is another actor who may soon be joining the project. Magnussen previously worked with “Bond 25” director Cary Joji Fukunaga on the Netflix series “Maniac.” He’d play a CIA operative, per Variety, but so far, it’s not clear if he has received an offer.

    Meanwhile, there are two female roles that still need to be cast: an MI6 agent and an accomplice. So far, there are no reported front-runners. The producers are still planning to bring actresses to read with Craig, Variety reports.

    MGM has not commented on the latest casting news. Production is reportedly on track to start this spring, so we expect deals to be announced in the coming months. The new cast members will join Craig, Léa Seydoux, Ralph Fiennes, and Naomie Harris in the film.

    The release date for “Bond 25” was recently pushed back, from Feb. 14 to April 8, 2020.

    [via: Collider; Variety]

  • ‘Game of Thrones’ Star Gwendoline Christie Cast Alongside Dakota Johnson, Casey Affleck in ‘The Friend’

    ‘Game of Thrones’ Star Gwendoline Christie Cast Alongside Dakota Johnson, Casey Affleck in ‘The Friend’

    Gwendoline Christie in Game of Thrones
    Helen Sloan/HBO

    “The Friend” has welcomed Gwendoline Christie.

    The “Game of Thrones” star is a new addition to the cast of the upcoming drama, which is currently shooting in Fairway Alabama. She’ll star alongside Dakota Johnson, Casey Affleck, and Jason Segel, Deadline reports. Other cast members include Cherry Jones, Denee Benton, Marielle Scott, Ahna O’Reilly, Isabella Kai Rice, Violet McGraw, and country singer Jake Owen.

    Christie’s character details haven’t been revealed, but the film is based on the true story of Nicole (Johnson) and Matthew Teague (Affleck) and their friend Dane Faucheux (Segel). When Nicole was dying of cancer, Dane moved in to help the couple and their children through the very difficult time. Matthew Teague wrote about the experience in a 2015 Esquire article that served as the basis for screenwriter Brad Inglesby’s adaptation.

    The project marks another film for Christie, whose big-screen credits already include “Welcome to Marwen,” “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” and the upcoming film “The Personal History of David Copperfield.” Her work in TV includes roles in the series “Wizards vs Aliens” and “Top of the Lake: China Girl.” She has also appeared on the London stage.

    “The Friend”is being produced by Scott Free and Black Bear Pictures, with Black Bear financing. Scott Free’s Kevin Walsh, Michael Pruss, and Ryan Stowell are producing along with Teddy Schwarzman of Black Bear. Executive producers include Teague, Inglesby, Ridley Scott, Ben Stillman, Michael Heimler, and Ted Deiker.

    The film’s release date has not yet been announced.

    [via: Deadline]

  • Kevin Costner, Diane Lane Join Suspense Thriller ‘Let Him Go’

    Kevin Costner, Diane Lane Join Suspense Thriller ‘Let Him Go’

    Kevin Costner and Diane Lane side-by-side
    20th Century Fox; Bleecker Street

    The suspense thriller “Let Him Go” has added two big-name stars: Kevin Costner and Diane Lane.

    The upcoming film from director Thomas Bezucha will star the two as a married couple on a mission to save their grandson, THR reports. The story is based on Larry Watson’s novel of the same name. Bezucha penned the script.

    Like the novel, the film centers on the George (Costner) and Margaret Blackledge (Lane), a couple who loses their grandson when his mother remarries and moves away. With the boy being raised among his stepfather’s dangerous family, the Blackledges decide they have to get him back. Conflict arises when the Weboys are unwilling to let the Blackledges take him.

    Both Costner and Lane continue to have prolific acting careers. He has starred in a number of high-profile films, such as 2016’s “Hidden Figures,” 1992’s “The Bodyguard,” and 1987’s “The Untouchables.” Meanwhile, Lane’s credits include the likes of 2015’s “Trumbo,” 2003’s “Under the Tuscan Sun,” and 1983’s “The Outsiders.”

    Production on “Let Him Go” is scheduled to begin this spring. Rod Lake is set to executive produce, while Mazur Kaplan’s Paula Mazur and Mitchell Kaplan, Bezucha, Costner, Kimi Armstrong Stein, and Jeffrey Lampert will produce. Josh McLaughlin is overseeing.

    [via: THR]

  • Benedict Cumberbatch Joins ‘Good Omens’ as Satan

    Benedict Cumberbatch Joins ‘Good Omens’ as Satan

    Patrick Melrose clip still
    Showtime/YouTube

    The “Good Omens” cast just keeps getting better. The newest addition is Benedict Cumberbatch.

    The Academy Award-winning actor has signed on to voice Satan in the Amazon series, as creator Neil Gaiman announced Wednesday. He revealed the news during a TCA event, and the “Good Omens” team later joked in a video about “taking a chance” on the “up-and-comer.”

    Cumberbatch comes to the role as anything but an up-and-comer. He has not not only starred in a number of Marvel Cinematic Universe films, he plays the titular character in the acclaimed crime drama series “Sherlock.” He also recently starred in the miniseries “Patrick Melrose,” and some of his other film credits include 2015’s “Black Mass,” and 2013’s “12 Years a Slave” and “Star Trek Into Darkness.”

    In “Good Omens,” Cumberbatch joins a number of big names. The show’s cast includes David Tennant, Michael Sheen, Anna Maxwell Martin, Josie Lawrence, Adria Arjona, Jon Hamm, Jack Whitehall, Nick Offerman, Michael McKean, Miranda Richardson, and Frances McDormand. Based on Gaiman’s 1990 novel written with the late Terry Pratchett, it centers on an angel (Sheen) and a demon (Tennant) as the Apocalypse and Final Judgment near.

    “Good Omens” premieres  May 31 on Amazon Prime Video.

    [h/t: Variety]

  • ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Casts Amy Acker to Play Another Shepherd Sister

    ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Casts Amy Acker to Play Another Shepherd Sister

    Amy Acker in The Gifted
    Fox

    Yet another sibling is popping up at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

    “Grey’s Anatomy” is introducing a new member of the Shepherd family. “The Gifted” star Amy Acker has been cast as Kathleen Shepherd, TVLine reports. She’ll be involved in a storyline involving the character’s sister Amelia (Caterina Scorsone).

    Kathleen will be the final of the five Shepherd siblings to find her way to Seattle, where the medical drama is set. Amelia and their late brother, Derek (Patrick Dempsey), stuck around the longest, but sisters Nancy (Embeth Davidtz) and Liz (Neve Campbell) have also made appearances. Like the others, Kathleen is a doctor.

    Acker is slated to appear in just one episode as of now, and she tweeted that she “can’t wait!” The air date for the episode hasn’t been announced yet. In the meantime, the actress can also be seen starring in Fox’s sci-fi superhero show “The Gift.”

    “Grey’s Anatomy” is currently in its 15th season, and it airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

    [via: TVLine]

  • Thomas Middleditch Boards ‘Zombieland 2’

    Thomas Middleditch Boards ‘Zombieland 2’

    Thomas Middleditch in Silicon Valley
    Ali Paige Goldstein/HBO

    The upcoming “Zombieland” sequel has thrown another actor into the post-apocalyptic mix.

    Thomas Middleditch has joined the cast, Variety reports. The “Silicon Valley” actor is now one of multiple franchise newcomers. Stars previously reported to be joining “Zombieland 2” include Rosario Dawson, Zoey Deutch, and Avan Jogia.

    There will be familiar faces in the zombie horror comedy, too. Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin are all reprising their roles as survivors of an epidemic that left most Americans undead. They will have another adventure involving encounters with other survivors (hence their new cast mates, perhaps?) and new kinds of zombies.

    Middleditch’s character details haven’t been revealed. In the past, he has starred in a variety of films, some of which include the sci-fi thriller “Replicas,” the comedy “Tag,” and the comedy “Once Upon a Time in Venice.” He is also well-known for playing Richard in the HBO series “Silicon Valley.”

    “Zombieland” director Ruben Fleischer is directing the sequel. Writers Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese also returned to pen the script, as well as executive produce alongside Lauren Abrahams. Meanwhile, Gavin Polone is producing.

    Production began in January, and the film is due to hit theaters on Oct. 11, as the original celebrates its 10th anniversary.

    [via: Variety]

  • ‘The Twilight Zone’ Reboot Taps Ginnifer Goodwin for an Episode

    ‘The Twilight Zone’ Reboot Taps Ginnifer Goodwin for an Episode

    Ginnifer Goodwin
    CBS All Access

    Fairy tales are in the past — Ginnifer Goodwin is headed to “The Twilight Zone.”

    The former “Once Upon a Time” star has signed on for an episode of the upcoming reboot. CBS All Access announced the news Thursday, revealing that the episode is titled “Point of Origin.” She’ll star alongside James Frain and Zabryna Guevara.

    “The Twilight Zone” has already announced a number of its cast members ahead of its April premiere. Jordan Peele will serve as the series’ host and narrator, while other actors on board include Ike Barinholtz, John Cho, Taissa Farmiga, Greg Kinnear, Luke Kirby, Sanaa Lathan, Kumail Nanjiani, Adam Scott, Rhea Seehorn, Alison Tolman, Jacob Tremblay, Jessica Williams, DeWanda Wise, and Steven Yeun. CBS All Access has remained mum when it comes to character details.

    Goodwin has starred in multiple popular TV series over the years. In addition to her time on “Once Upon a Time,” she has had long-running roles on “Big Love” and “Ed.” Some of her film credits include 2016’s “Zootopia,” 2010’s “Ramona and Beezus,” and 2009’s “He’s Just Not That Into You.”

    “The Twilight Zone” is produced by CBS Television Studios in association with Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw productions and Simon Kinberg’s Genre Films. Both Peele and Kinberg are set to executive produce. They’re joined by Win Rosenfeld, Audrey Chon, Glen Morgan, Carol Serling, Rick Berg, and Greg Yaitanes.

    “The Twilight Zone” reboot will premiere April 1 on CBS All Access.

  • Lily Collins to Star in Thriller ‘Inheritance’

    Lily Collins to Star in Thriller ‘Inheritance’

    Lily Collins in The Last Tycoon
    Amazon Studios

    The upcoming thriller “Inheritance” has found a new leading lady after the earlier exit of Kate Mara.

    Lily Collins has signed on for the film, Deadline reports. She takes on a role that Mara was originally set to fill before a scheduling change led her to depart the project. Collins will now star alongside Simon Pegg.

    The film will be directed by Vaughn Stein from a script by Matthew Kennedy. It centers on a widow and her daughter who receive an inheritance they never expected when their family patriarch dies. It’s not a good one, though — it apparently could destroy their lives.

    Collins has multiple films on the way. She’ll star in the upcoming Ted Bundy biopic “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile,” as well as play Edith Tolkien in “Tolkien.” Some of her other recent work includes a main role in the Amazon series “The Last Tycoon” and the BBC miniseries “Les Misérables.”

    Richard B. Lewis will produce “Inheritance” via Southpaw Entertainment alongside David Wulf. The film’s release date has not yet been set.

    [via: Deadline]