Saoirse Ronan Joins Wes Anderson’s GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL
Variety reports that Saoirse Ronan (Hanna, Atonement) has taken the female lead in Wes Anderson’s next film. The Grand Budapest Hotel has already lineup an excellent cast with Bill Murray, Ralph Fiennes, Owen Wilson, Jude Law and Jason Schwartzman taking roles.
Neil Marshall Replaces David Slade As Director Of ‘THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE DEMETER’
HeatVision reports that The Last Voyage of The Demeter is finally moving forward as a new director has been named. Genre director Neil Marshall has been hired but it’s unknown if any of the original cast members will stay on. Previously, David Slade (Hard Candy, 30 Days of Night) had been attached to helm the untold Dracula tale which focuses on the voyage to London where the crew of the Demeter are picked-off one by one. Actors such as Noomi Rapace, Jude Law and Ben Kingsley had been involved but seemingly have left the project. Marsall is best know for his cult-hits Dog Soldiers and The Descent but his recent films such as Centurion and Doomsday didn’t impress anyone. Neil might get a little buzz later this year as he’s been hired by HBO to direct an episode of Game of Thrones that will air this season.
Sharlto Copley Could Join ‘MALEFICENT’
Deadline reports that South African actor Sharlto Copley (District 9) is in talks to take the role of King Stefan in Disney’s Maleficent. Apparently, Jude Law had also been in the running for the role. Rumors also put Patrick Stewart, Judi Dench and Emma Thompson in the mix as well. Angelina Jolie stars in the title role while Elle Fanning is expected to take the role of Princess Aurora.
Rooney Mara Replaces Blake Lively In Side Effects
Variety reports that Oscar nominated actress Rooney Mara (Dragon Tattoo, Social Network) has signed on to replace Blake Likely in Steven Soderbergh’s Side Effects. The financiers of the film backed out when the unproven Lively was cast in the lead role. Which forced Soderbergh to look at other actresses. Mara who isn’t very well known has a bit of pedigree to her budding career starring in David Fincher’s Social Network and Dragon Tattoo. The latter earned Rooney an Oscar nomination for best actress.
Catherine Zeta-Jones Joins Soderbergh’s The Side Effects, Blake Lively Exiting?
Deadline reports that Catherine Zeta-Jones has joined Steven Soderbergh’s next film The Side Effects. Catherine previously worked with Steven on Traffic and Ocean’s Twelve. There is also talk that a financier of the production has walked after the casting of Blake Lively. Another company is likely to put things back into motion. It had been a concern that Lively isn’t an actress strong enough to carry a film like this. Personally I think the mumbling Channing Tatum is someone more to be worried about, since I can hardly understand the actor when he delivers lines. I can never picture Channing as a leading man in a dramatic role.
If Blake does end up leave the production they have a few upscaled options in their pocket. As Variety reports actresses like Rooney Mara, Michelle Williams, Emily Blunt and Imogen Poots could end up in the role instead. The latter two of the actress were up for supporting roles in Soderbergh’s version of The Man From UNCLE before he exited to focus on Side Effects. Poots recently signed onto Filth which could mean she’d be out of the running. Blunt had been rumored for role in Iron Man 3 but considering how quickly Soderbergh shoots his film I wouldn’t say she’d miss the targeted May start for third installment. My bet would be on the two Oscar nominated actresses as it brings a bit of pedigree to the project.
Soderbergh’s Bitter Pill Gets A Cast
Recently Steven Soderbergh walked from directing The Man From UNCLE for Warner Bros. Guy Ritchie would come on to produce and possibly direct that project instead. ThePlaylist has word that Soderbergh’s other project is set to go with principle actors set for The Bitter Pill. The cast includes Blake Lively (The Town), Channing Tatum (Haywire) and Jude Law (Contagion). Tatum seems to be Steven’s current muse as he’s starred in his last two films Haywire and Magic Mike.
Warner Bros. Looking To Hire Writer For Sherlock Holmes 3
It looks like Warner Bros. is hot on their Sherlock Holmes franchise as Deadline reports that they’re moving forward with the third installment. The second film Game Of Shadows hasn’t even hit theaters but the studio is looking to hire Drew Pearce to pen Sherlock Holmes 3. Pearce recently co-wrote the Iron Man 3 script with director Shane Black. Also, writing The Runaways script for Marvel Studios.
It seems like a good way to push forward a solid trilogy before the heat wears off and director Guy Ritchie looses interest. Ritchie’s many other film projects [The Real RockNRolla, Lobo, Dirty Dozen, Sgt. Rock] have been put on hold because of the Holmes series. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law have previously stated they’d both be on board for a trilogy. It’s currently unknown if either Noomi Rapace or Rachel McAdams would be returning for the next installment.
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