Movie Casting News: Keira Knightley to star in Nicholas Sparks film adaptation 'Safe Haven'?

Twitch reports that Keira Knightley is in early talks to star in Lasse Hallström‘s adaptation of Nicholas Sparks‘ novel Safe Haven. Keira, if cast would be playing a young woman with a dark past who arrives in asmall North Carolina town, and reluctantly begins a relationship with awidowed store owner and his two children, and a friendship with herplainspoken neighbor. 

Hallström plans to start shooting Safe Haven in May.  Safe Haven is Hallström’s second time working from a Sparks novel having previously directed 2010′s Dear John (starring The Vow's Channing Tatum).

Hmm, I don't know if Keira would do this (then, again, she did Seeking A Friend... with Steve Carell...so who knows?), but I think this would be interesting and kind of different for KK, if she does take the lead role in this film. I love Nicholas Sparks movies esp. The Notebook (Rachel McAdams) and A Walk To Remember (Mandy Moore). We shall see...What do you all think?

Keira will next be seen this summer (June 22nd) in the apocalyptic romantic comedy Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (with Steve Carell) and this fall (November 9th) in Joe Wright's film adaptation of Anna Karenina (with Matthew Macfadyen).Safe Haven is due out on Valentine’s Day 2013.

Here’s the synopsis for Nicholas Sparks’ Safe Haven:

When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in thesmall North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raisesquestions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seemsdetermined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of eventsdraws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowedstore owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another withher plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katieslowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in theclose-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and hisfamily.

But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with thedark secret that still haunts and terrifies her . . . a past that sether on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to thesheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo’s empathic and stubborn support,Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life oftransient safety and one of riskier rewards . . . and that in thedarkest hour, love is the only true safe haven. [Amazon]

Movie Casting News: Tom Hollander joins Ralph Fiennes' Charles Dickens Love Story 'The Invisible Woman'

According to the Daily Mail and Empire, Tom Hollander has joined the cast of The Invisible Woman starring Ralph Fiennes (who's directing it as well), Felicity Jones, and Kristin Scott Thomas. Production of the film is set to start in April.

Here's the brief mention via Daily Mail...

Tom Hollander who stars in the BBC TV comedy Rev. He will portray novelist Wilkie Collins in The Invisible Woman, a film about Charles Dickens’s affair with Nelly Ternan. Ralph Fiennes plays Dickens (and also directs); Felicity Jones will tackle the role of Ternan; and Kristin Scott Thomas is Dickens’s wife, Catherine.

New images of Rupert Friend in upcoming 'Renee' film

The upcoming indie film, Renee starring Kat Dennings (in the title role), Chad Michael Murray and Rupert Friend (as producer David McKenna) just launched its official site yesterday (Wednesday). The website looks great with lots of images (including on set and behind the scenes photos featuring RF in a few of them, which you can see below...) and cool contents to get you interested in the film.

"Renee" The Movie, was filmed entirely on location in Orlando, Florida. The indie drama is based on the true story of Renee Yohe, whose battle with drugs, depression, addiction and cutting led to the creation of the charity group To Write Love On Her Arms.

The movie is about a troubled young woman whose issues with self-esteem, substance abuse and self-injury (“cutting”) will star the formidable Kat Dennings, with Chad Michael Murray and Rupert Friend (“The Young Victoria”) also int the cast.

The film is slated for a 2012 release, but no theatrical release date has been announced yet.

No trailer yet either, but in the meantime, check out and watch the Behind The Scenes: The Music in the Movie "Renee" (which includes Rupert in one of the cast and crew interviews where he appeared a couple times at around 3:37 and 5:03) as well as on set, behind the scenes, and a still of Rupert as David McKenna. Plus the film's synopsis and more below! ...





(source: twostreetsENT)

Also, watch "Renee" Character Profile: Kat Dennings on playing 'Renee Yohe'  (featuring a few clips from the film, which features RF as McKenna) and see another bts video as I've previously posted here: Watch Behind The Scenes: A First Look into 'Renee' the Movie starring Kat Dennings and Rupert Friend

Official Synopsis

“Renee” follows 19-year-old Renee Yohe (Kat Dennings) who has always loved fairy tales: the idea of a princess, a hero and a happily ever after. But Renee’s life is that of a darker tale: she’s a young woman battling addiction, depression and self-injury. In a creative blend of artistic fantasy balanced with harsh reality, the film follows Renee on her courageous journey towards recovery. The true story behind “Renee” is responsible for inspiring the global non-profit To Write Love on Her Arms.

On Set/BTS/Renee website screen capture
featuring Rupert Friend as David McKenna

 (source: Renee official site)

Updated 2/22/12 Here's a press release (sent to me via email from Ashley Slone, Press & Promotions at Bonded Entertainment. Thanks!)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Upcoming Rupert Friend Film, "Renee," Launches New Site Using Emerging “3D-Illusion” Web Design Trend

ORLANDO, FL (February 16, 2012) - The upcoming independent film "Renee," starring Kat Dennings (2 Broke Girl$, Thor), Rupert Friend (Pride & Prejudice), Chad Michael Murray (One Tree Hill) and Corbin Bleu (High School Musical), launched its new Web site today, which utilizes an emerging “3D-illusion” trend in Web design.

"Renee" is at the forefront of film sites to implement horizontal parallax scrolling, which gives the site a “pseudo-3D” effect. This technique enables multiple backgrounds to move at different speeds, increasing the viewer’s sense of depth in the design and creating more engaging content.

On the new visually intriguing “Renee” site, fans can scroll through several scenes from the film, including one where Dennings crowd surfs across the screen.

To view the “Renee” Web site, visit http://www.ReneeTheMovie.com.

About "Renee"

"Renee” is an independent feature film produced by Two Streets Entertainment. "Renee," based on the true story that inspired the global non-profit movement To Write Love on Her Arms, was filmed in Orlando, FL in Spring 2011 and is anticipated for release in 2012.

Related Renee links
OFFICIAL - http://www.reneethemovie.com/
IMDB - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1850418/
FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/reneethemovie
TWITTER - http://twitter.com/RENEEthemovie

In other RF movie news, on IMDB there's a new film listed on his filmography with the title: Meet Me in Montenegro, which the status said it's currently filming. In addition, according to Screen Daily, Alicia Vikander, Rupert Friend circle Country of Last Things (FYI: Alicia Vikander co-stars with Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen in the upcoming Joe Wright film, Anna Karenina). Also, as I've previously posted last month, On Stage: Rupert Friend to star in Potter's 'Brimstone and Treacle' play  

Casting News: Kelly Reilly cast in McDonagh's 'Calvary'

Deadline reports that Protagonist Pictures has taken on international sales for Reprisal Films’ Calvary from The Guard director John Michael McDonagh. McDonagh also wrote the screenplay for the blackly comic drama about a good priest tormented by his community. The director reteams here with his Guard star Brendan Gleeson along with Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids), Kelly Reilly (Sherlock Holmes) and Aidan Gillen (Shadow Dancer). Chris Clark and Flora Fernandez Marengo of Reprisal are producing. Elizabeth Eves will serve as co-producer. The film is slated to shoot from late summer this year. McDonagh is nominated for a BAFTA award this Sunday for his Guard screenplay.

Kelly Reilly was last seen on the big screen in the box-office hit Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law.  She is currently seen on TV in the UK in ITV's Above Suspicion: Silent Scream (TV series)as DI Anna Travis. She has two new films coming up either sometime later this year or next year (no confirmed theatrical release dates for either),Edwin Boyd with Scott Speedman and Flight with Denzel Washington.

Movie Casting News: Jena Malone to star in 'Mu,' based on a Maura O'Halloran memoir

According to Movie Hole, Jena Malone will star in a new film titled, Mu, which is currently in development.

Jena Malone (“Donnie Darko”) will star in Noah Buschel’s bio on Maura O’Halloran, who at the age of 24 left her waitress job in Boston to go to Japan and be a Zen Monk. She died in a car accident age 27.

Read more about Maura O'Halloran here.

Also, check out this book (by O'Halloran's mother Ruth) on Amazon: Pure Heart: Enlightened Mind: The Zen Journal and Letters of Maura
   
Jena seems to be getting a variety of interesting leading and supporting roles lately. One of them, she will star in another leading role and play Carson McCullers in a biopic 'Lonely Hunter'


Miss Malone’s several other upcoming films (for 2012 and 2013...she's super busy!) include the love story Jack and Diane (as Susan) with Juno Temple, which will be released in theaters June 1st, the indie drama For Ellen (as Susan) with Paul Dano, which will compete (in US Dramatic category) and premiere at this year's Sundance Film Festival January 21st and screenings from Jan. 21, 23-27, A Doll's House (as Christine Linde) with Ben Kingsley, In Our Nature (previously titled Family Tree) with Gabrielle Union, and The Wait (As Angela) with Chloe Sevigny. In addition to those upcoming films, Jena Malone was cast in History Channel's miniseries 'Hatfields and McCoys' with Kevin Costner (her For The Love of The Game co-star).

Movie Casting News: Tom Hollander joins Johnny Lee Miller, Gemma Arterton, and Saoirse Ronan in ''Byzantium' film

According to Collider, Tom Hollander (Hanna), Jonny Lee Miller (Dexter), and Sam Riley (Control) have joined Saoirse Ronan (Hanna) and Gemma Arterton (Prince of Persia) in Neil Jordan (Interview with the Vampire)‘s vampire movie Byzantium.

Ronanand Arterton play a daughter and mother who are vampires who arrive ina small 18th century British town.  Ronan’s character begins arelationship with a young man (Caleb Landry Jones) who’s dying of leukemia, which in turn forces him to struggle with his mortality and her to question her immortality.

Daily Mail (who first reported this with the Gemma Arterton interview/article) doesn’t have any details on which character Tom will play, but has mentioned him in the cast:

The film — set in both the 18th centuryand the modern day — is not all glossy surface nonsense like theTwilight pictures. For starters, it has a compelling storyline and muchbetter actors, including Sam Riley, Daniel Mays, Jonny Lee Miller andTom Hollander.

Read more: Gemma's coming out biting... as she gets her teeth into new vampire film role

Great to know that TH has a new film (other than his current TV series, Rev.) coming soon. Also, he's co-starring here with two other Austen Actors, Gemma Arterton (Lost in Austen; St. Trinians I and II films with Talulah Riley and Colin Firth, and The Little Dog Laughed stage play with Rupert Friend), and Johnny Lee Miller (Mansfield Park '99, Emma '09) and one of the fequent co-stars of P&P 05 Actors, Saoirse Ronan (Atonement, Hanna).

TV Casting News: Matthew Macfadyen to star as a lead in the 8-part drama 'Ripper Street' for BBC One

MM at the P&P UK premeire/Getty Images

Matthew Macfadyen has been cast in the lead role for just announced BBC One drama Ripper Street, set in the time of Jack the Ripper.

Here's more info from the  press release via BBC News:

Ripper Street, a new drama commission for BBC One

Tiger Aspect Productions and co-producer Lookout Point have been commissioned by Danny Cohen, Controller BBC One and Ben Stephenson, Controller Drama Commissioning, to make 8-part drama series, Ripper Street for BBC One.

Created by writer Richard Warlow (Mistresses, Waking The Dead), Ripper Street is an extraordinary new drama set in the East End of London in 1889, during the aftermath of the "Ripper" murders. The action centres around the notorious H Division – the police precinct from hell – which is charged with keeping order in the chaotic streets of Whitechapel.

Ripper Street explores the lives of characters trying to recover from the Ripper's legacy, from crimes that have not only irretrievably altered their lives, but the very fabric of their city. At the drama's heart our detectives try to bring a little light into the dark world they inhabit.

Danny Cohen, Controller, BBC One, says: "Ripper Street is a gripping new drama for BBC One. Set against the backdrop of a fevered historical London, I believe it has the quality and intensity to be a hit with BBC One viewers." Read full press release here!

First Synopsis for Joe Wright's 'Anna Karenina' starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen (updated)

While former  Pride & Prejudice stars Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, and director Joe Wright are currently filming their new film, Anna Karenina, unfortunately, no on set photos (even papz) available anywhere, no theatrical release date (other than sometime later in the second half of 2012), or no other important updates from filming and on the set gossip with our trio has surfaced online as of yet. However, Focus Features (Pride & Prejudice and Atonement), who is distributing it domestically, just released the synopsis (via Collider) for Anna Karenina along with another new Keira Knightley film, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World.

Updated 12/30/11: Downton Abbey's Michelle Dockery (a frequent co-star of P&P 05 actors) just mention in a new Collider "Downton Abbey" interview/article that she's indeed cast in Anna Karenina (no mentioned of what character she's playing though) and here's the part where she mentioned it as well as the movies and miniseries that she had previously worked with P&P actors and director Joe Wright (FYI: she was in Return to Cranford with Judi Dench and Claudie Blakley, Hanna with Tom Hollander and director Joe Wright, Downton Abbey with Penelope Wilton, and now Anna Karenina with Keira, Matthew, and Joe Wright)...

DOCKERY: Yes, I’d love too. I really would love too. I love America and I hope that the success of Downton Abbey may open some doors for us. I’m actually not available at the moment because I’m doing a part in a Joe Wright film. He’s doing an adaptation of Anna Karenina, which is another period piece. I have some lovely scenes to do with Keira Knightley.

Read her full interview here via Collider!

Read synopsis for both Anna Karenina and Seeking a Friend below...


ANNA KARENINA – 2012
The third collaboration of Academy Award nominee Keira Knightley with director Joe Wright, following the award-winning boxoffice successes “Pride & Prejudice” and “Atonement,” is the epic love story “Anna Karenina,” adapted from Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel by Academy Award winner Tom Stoppard (“Shakespeare in Love”). The story unfolds in its original late-19^th-century Russia high-society setting and powerfully explores the capacity for love that surges through the human heart, from the passion between adulterers to the bond between a mother and her children. As Anna (Ms. Knightley) questions her happiness, change comes to her family, friends, and community.

Director: Joe Wright (“Atonement,” “Pride & Prejudice,” “Hanna”)
Writer: Tom Stoppard (“Shakespeare in Love”); Based on the novel by Leo Tolstoy
Cast: Keira Knightley, Jude Law, Aaron Johnson, Kelly Macdonald, Matthew Macfadyen, Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, Emily Watson, Olivia Williams, Ruth Wilson

Here's an update of Anna Karenina's confirmed cast (as listed above)...and now includes Ruth Wilson and Emily Watson. In addition, Downton Abbey's Michelle Dockery (who had a cameo on JW's recent Hanna film) is said  (and is listed on IMDB) to be playing Princess Betsy, but Working Title Films (who is producing this film, had previously listed Andrea Riseborough as playing Princess Betsy,  but it seems she's no longer in the cast) now has updated/listed Ruth Wilson playing Princess Betsy. Confusing much? lol...we shall see when we hear more info about their characters and their confirmation soon.  For now, I'll go with Ruth Wilson as Princess Betsy as listed on Working Title's website (as IMDB is often edited out like Wikipedia...though someone said at the AK IMDB board that she's playing Princess Betsy Tverskaya as revealed by herself in The London Evening Standard...so, who knows? and Michelle Dockery herself confirmed it in a new Collider interview here!)

Anyway, I've updated the main AK cast (2012) collage here...

~*~ Confirmed Anna Karenina (2012) Cast ~*~

Keira Knightley ~ Anna Karenina
Jude Law ~ Aleksei Karenin (Anna's husband)
Aaron Johnson ~ Count Vronsky (Anna's lover)
Matthew Macfadyen ~ Oblonsky (Anna's brother)
Kelly Macdonald ~ Dolly (Oblonky's wife)
Alicia Vikander ~ Kitty (Dolly's younger sister)
Domhnall Gleeson ~ Levin
 Andrea Riseborough ~ Princess Betsey
Olivia Williams ~ Countess Vronskaya (Vronsky's mother)
Emily Watson ~ Countess Lydia 
Ruth Wilson ~ ?!?
*Michelle Dockery  (*confirmed) ~ Princess Betsy???

Anna Karenina (include several familiar P&P/Atonement) Crew 

Director: Joe Wright (“Atonement,” “Pride & Prejudice,” “Hanna”)

Writer: Tom Stoppard (“Shakespeare in Love”); Based on the novel by Leo Tolstoy

Producer: Tim Bevan (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement), Alexandra Ferguson (co-producer)
Original Music by: Dario Marianelli (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, The Soloist, Jane Eyre)
Cinematography: Seamus McGarvey (Atonement, The Soloist)
Film Editor: Melanie Oliver
Casting by: Dixie Chassay, Jina Jay (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, Hanna) 
Production Design by: Sarah Greenwood (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, The Soloist, Hanna)
Set Decorator: Katie Spencer (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, Hanna)
Costume Design by: Jacqueline Durran (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, The Soloist)
Production Companies: Studio Canal (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, The Soloist), Working Title Films (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, The Soloist)
Distributors: Focus Features (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, Hanna) for US theatrical release 2012; Universal Pictures (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement) for UK/International release 2012

See Full cast and crew (via IMDB)

And here's the synopsis and theatrical release date for another new Keira Knightley film, also from Focus Features as well...

SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD – April 20, 2012 (wide)
The feature directorial debut of screenwriter Lorene Scafaria stars Golden Globe Award winner Steve Carell and Academy Award nominee Keira Knightley. Set in a too-near future, the movie explores what people will do when humanity’s last days are at hand. As the respective journeys of Dodge (Mr. Carell) and Penny (Ms. Knightley) converge, the two spark to each other and their outlooks – if not the world’s – brighten.

Writer/Director: Lorene Scafaria (“Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist”)
Cast: Steve Carell, Keira Knightley, Connie Britton, Adam Brody, Rob Corddry, Gillian Jacobs, Derek Luke, Melanie Lynskey, TJ Miller, Mark Moses, Patton Oswalt, William Petersen

Related links
Focus Features Announces Release Dates For First Half of 2012

Casting News: Keira Knightley to play Effie Gray in Untouched and pursued for a role in Akira

While Keira Knightley is currently filming Anna Karenina with her P&P/Atonement director Joe Wright and P&P co-star Matthew Macfadyen, there are two casting news this week mentioning her name where she's either in talks (to play Effie Gray in Untouched...interestingly, 2 years ago Carey Mulligan was attached to star in Effie, written by Emma Thompson, but is no longer attached as she's left the project and is now too busy with several new film projects she's attached to star these days) or being pursued (in Warner Bros.' Akira along with Gary Oldman and Helena Bonham-Carter in the mix) in two different films.

So far, these are casting rumors (until they are confirmed), we'll find out soon enough if she gets cast in one or both films. For now, check out the following casting news from Collider and The Playlist below...


Keira Knightley in Talks to Star as Effie Gray in UNTOUCHED (via Collider)

Production is currently underway on the long-in-the-works Emma Thompson­-scripted biopic of Effie Gray, Effie, starring Dakota Fanning in the title role. However, it appears that a competing biopic of Gray is now in the works with Keira Knightley poised to star. Gray married art critic John Ruskin in 19th century London, but the latter refused to consummate the marriage, leading a devastated Gray to fall in love with Ruskin’s protégé, painter John Everett Milias.

Thompson on Hollywood reports that Knightley is in talks to star in the drama Untouched. The film also centers on the love triangle between Gray, Ruskin, and Milias, and is set to be directed by House of Sand helmer Andrucha Waddington. The script was written by Aleksandra Crapanzano. The film is currently being shopped around at the American Film Market.

Keira Knightley Being Pursued For ‘Akira’ (via The Playlist)

And while those films get underway, another two potential tentpoles at the studio are casting up: the controversial remake of anime classic “Akira,” and a new take on the Knights of the Round Table, “Arthur & Lancelot,” and both find themselves chasing some big names. The former, which was confirmed to have “Tron: Legacy” star/mannequin Garret Hedlund in talks to play lead Kaneda yesterday, has been pursuing Gary Oldman to play the villainous Colonel, and Helena Bonham-Carter for Lady Miyako, and according to Heat Vision, they’re joined on director Jaume Collet-Serra‘s shopping list by Keira Knightley.

There’s no confirmation of which part it’s for, but unless they’re trying to really annoy the fanboys by casting her as Tetsuo, it seems likely that the star of “Atonement” and “Pirates of the Caribbean” is being sought for an equivalent part to Kei, the young revolutionary who serves as the love interest for Kaneda. Whether Knightley, or indeed Oldman or Bonham-Carter, will do it is pretty up in the air. However, the trade says that the three haven’t yet “engaged” with the studio, and outside of her Disney trilogy, which she signed up for at the age of 17, the young British actress doesn’t really have a tradition of taking paycheck gigs, particularly one that’s likely as thankless as this. Having said that, she’s currently free once she wraps Joe Wright‘s “Anna Karenina,” but considering that “Akira” was scaled back to be made under $100 million, we don’t imagine the wages are going to be massive, so there may be better offers out there.

Speaking of Keira, check out and watch Three New Clips from A DANGEROUS METHOD Starring Michael Fassbender and Viggo Mortensen

Casting News: Jena Malone cast in 'A Doll's House' with Ben Kingsley and Julian Sands

Variety reports that Jena Malone has been cast in the feature film adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s classic play A Doll's House. She is cast along with Ben Kingsley, Julian Sands (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), and Michele Martin (Assisting Venus). They are set as the leads in the adaptation. Charles Huddleston (Assisting Venus) is directing the pic which will be a modern day version of Ibsen’s play.

The film centers on “a young woman’s escape from an overbearing husband set during today’s recession.” Martin will play Nora Helmer, the young wife of a banking executive. Malone will take on the role of Nora’s friend Christine, who must choose between her loyalty to her friend or her own future, with Kingsley playing the Helmers’ friend Dr. Rank and Sands set as Nathan, “a professional in the seedy world of lending desperate people money.”

Ibsen’s Norwegian play was first published in 1879, and centers on a debt crisis.  The film is set to start filming in January 2012.

Photos: Carey Mulligan at the 15th Annual Hollywood Film Awards Gala

Carey Mulligan attended and accepted her Hollywood Supporting Actress Award (for her supporting role turn in both Drive and Shame films) at the 15th Annual Hollywood Film Awards Gala Presented By Starz held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on October 24, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California.

Speaking of the very busy Carey Mulligan, who is currently filming The Great Gatsby with Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire in Australia, she has two new films, one in theaters now (Drive with Ryan Gosling) and opening in December 2nd (Shame with Michael Fassbender), and 2 new film projects she's either cast or circling according to Cinema Blend: Carey Mulligan Cast In Coens Brothers' Latest, Circling New Spike Jonze Updated 10/26: Read this new article (via Collider) Carey Mulligan Talks THE GREAT GATSBY; Geeks Out Over Working with Coen Brothers, Spike Jonze, and Charlie Kaufman in Upcoming Projects
   
Anyway, check out CM's new photos below...

15th Annual Hollywood Film Awards Gala Presented By Starz - Arrivals

(Photos by FlynetPictures.com
| Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images North America |  zimbio.com) 

View more CM photos here: 15th Annual Hollywood Film Awards Gala    

15th Annual Hollywood Film Awards Gala Presented By Starz - Show

Carey Mulligan accepts the Hollywood Supporting Actress Award onstage from presenter actor Christoph Waltz during the 15th Annual Hollywood Film Awards Gala Presented By Starz held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on October 24, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California. 

(Photos by John Shearer/Getty Images North America | zimbio.com)
 

  15th Annual Hollywood Film Awards Gala Presented By Starz - Backstage  

(Photos by Jason Merritt/Getty Images North America | zimbio.com) 
 

2011 Glamour Reel Moments Premiere Presented By Clarisonic - After Party   
with actors Amber Heard and Joseph Gordon-Levitt   

 (Photos by Michael Buckner/Getty Images North America | zimbio.com)  

Casting News: Talulah Riley cast in a new film 'The Liability'

Deadline reports that Talulah Riley will be co-starring in a new film titled The Liability.

“a darkly comic road trip taken by an aspiring hit man and a veteran assassin who hates proteges and dreams of retiring. They come across a beautiful and deadly female vigilante who forces them to pool their resources to survive.”

The film is to be directed by Craig Viveiros and also stars Peter Mullan and Tim Roth. Filming is said to be in the UK.

Speaking of Talulah...she's featured in a photo spread in a Vogue Italia magazine. Check out beautiful pics of Talulah in Vogue Italia (via Talulah Riley Fan)!
    

Casting News: Jena Malone to play Carson McCullers in biopic 'Lonely Hunter'

According to Collider.com, Jena Malone has just been cast in a leading role as writer Carson McCullers in the upcoming feature film, the biopic Lonely Hunter based on the author's life story. Great casting! Wow, Jena looks a lot like her especially with bangs! Sounds like an interesting project that would get the talented and versatile Miss Malone noticed for next year's award season!

Jena Malone to Play Author Carson McCullers in LONELY HUNTER

Underrated actress Jena Malone (Sucker Punch) is set to play southern author Carson McCullers in the biopic Lonely Hunter.  Written, produced, and directed by Deborah Kampmeier, the film will span 35 years of McCullers’ life and show how her writing helped her cope with crippling illness and torrid marriages.  Lonely Hunter will also “feature notable figures including her best friend Tennessee Williams, her protégé Truman Capote, her roommate Gypsy Rose Lee and collaborator Ethel Waters,” so start your fan-casting!

Malone’s other upcoming films include the love story Jack and Diane with Juno Temple, the indie drama For Ellen with Paul Dano, and The Wait with Chloe Sevigny.  Filming on Lonely Hunter is set to begin in spring 2012. 

In addition to those upcoming films, Jena Malone was recently cast in History Channel's miniseries 'Hatfields and McCoys'

Read the official press release (via Collider) below...

New York, NY – October 7, 2011 – Writer/Director/Producer Deborah Kampmeier and Producer Troy Johanson of Full Moon Films announced today that Jena Malone will portray Southern gothic writer Carson McCullers in “Lonely Hunter” the feature film based on her life story.  A wild woman who transgressed gender laws and the color bar searching to understand her own mysterious passions, McCullers is the author of the classic novels “The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter” and “The Member of the Wedding.”

Deborah Kampmeier will direct, as well as produce the film with Johanson and Blair Breard.  Abigail Disney of Fork Films will executive produce. A shoot is scheduled for Spring 2012. Additional casting is under way.

An actress and musician, Jena Malone made her film debut in “Bastard Out of Carolina.”  She garnered an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Debut Performance and a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Performance for her performance.  Since then she has gone on to memorable roles in films including “Pride and Prejudice” and a lead in the cult favorite, “Donnie Darko.”  Upcoming projects include “Jack and Diane” with Juno Temple, “For Ellen” with Paul Dano and “The Wait” with Chloe Sevigny.

“Lonely Hunter” is the true story of novelist and playwright Carson McCullers, a woman who overcame tremendous odds to become one of the most influential writers of her time.  Plagued by crippling illness and torrid marriages, her imagination provided a sanctuary that she shared with us all. ‘Lonely Hunter’ will span 35 years in McCullers’ life and feature notable figures including her best friend Tennessee Williams, her protégé Truman Capote, her roommate Gypsy Rose Lee and collaborator Ethel Waters

Deborah Kampmeier stated, “Jena’s vulnerability, curiosity, and passion are perfect for Carson. She is extremely gifted and I’m thrilled to be working with Jena in what I’m sure will be a very creative and exciting process.”

Jena Malone is represented by The Gersh Agency and Robert Wallerstein at Hirsch Wallerstein Matlof & Fishman.

Related article: 
Jena Malone To Play Author Carson McCullers In Biopic ‘Lonely Hunter’ (via The Playlist)  

Speaking of Jena and her movies, her other film, which she co-starred with Twilight's Cam Gigandet, 5 Star Day gets American distribution from Breaking Glass Pictures (via indieWire)

Breaking Glass Pictures has acquired the American distribution rights to “5 Star Day,” from first-time director Danny Buday. In the film, Cam Gigandet (Easy A, Burlesque) plays Jake Gibson, a man bent on disproving Astrology after his horoscope proves to be horribly disproved. Among the people Gibson meets to help confirm his suspicions is a single mom played by Jena Malone (Saved!, Donnie Darko). “5 Star Day” is slated to be released in theaters on November 2nd and available through video on-demand two days later.

Jena Malone was most recently seen in the sci-fi pic, Sucker Punch, and has portrayed a slew of memorable characters in films such as Saved!, Donnie Darko, and Pride & Prejudice. Read full article here!

P&P NewsBits: Casting Updates for 'One Shot' and 'Flight' films, Jena Malone cast in 'Hatfields and McCoys,' and more!

Here's this week's quick news round up of various TV and film news (including casting calls, a film synopsis, trailers, release dates, festival news, etc.) of the following P&P actors (Rosamund Pike, Kelly Reilly, Jena Malone, Carey Mulligan,  Keira Knightley and P&P 95's Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle), all in one post!

Here are a few TV and Film casting news updates... 

As previously posted here, Rosamund Pike landed the female lead role opposite Tom Cruise in One Shot!

Kelly Reilly was in negotiations for the lead female role in Robert Zemeckis’ Flight opposite Denzel Washington.



First, let's get to Rosamund Pike's One Shot...

Richard Jenkins Will Take 'One Shot' With Tom Cruise (via The Playlist)
Variety reports that Jenkins has joined the upcoming “One Shot.” Based on the best-selling book by Lee Child (one of many in the series), and set to be directed and written by Christopher McQuarrie,the story finds ex-military man and drifter Jack Reacher (Cruise) drawninto the case of a military sniper accused of five murders anddiscovers a twisty cover-up along the way. Rosamund Pike is onboard as Helen Rodin, the attorney who defends the accused man andJenkins will play her father Alex Rodin, the District Attorney in townwho is prosecuting the case. David Oyelowo rounds out the current cast, playing a homicide detective in charge of investigating the killings.UPDATE: Alexia Fast Joins Tom Cruise's 'One Shot' (Exclusive) (via Hollywood Reporter)

  
Don Cheadle and Bruce Greenwood Join Robert Zemeckis’ FLIGHT; Kelly Reilly Confirmed as Female Lead (via Collider)

Director Robert Zemeckis is filling out the cast for his return to live-action. Denzel Washington is set as the lead in Flight,where he will play an a pilot who is heralded as a hero after safelylanding a damaged plane. His newfound hero status comes under scrutinyas an investigation is launched to determine whether or not he wasdrunk while flying. Now Movieholereports that Don Cheadle and Bruce Greenwood have joined the cast. Noword on what their roles entail. The report also confirms that KellyReilly (Sherlock Holmes), who was in negotiations to take on the female lead, is officially onboard as a drug addict who befriends Washington’s character. Filming on the project is set to get underway next month in Atlanta. 

Jena Malone latest to join 'Hatfields and McCoys' (via CN's The Marquee Blog)

The History Channel’s upcoming project “TheHatfields and McCoys” is sounding better all the time. Jena Malone hassigned on to the star-studded miniseries about America’s biggest familyfeud, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Malone (“Bastard Out of Carolina,” “Stepmom,” “Into the Wild”) willplay Nancy McCoy, a conniving cousin who exacts revenge on theHatfields for murdering her father.

Kevin Costner (Anse Hatfield) and Bill Paxton (Randall McCoy) lead the cast as the heads of the clashing clans. Tom Berenger, Powers Boothe and Lindsay Pulsipher have also joined the cast.

Kevin Reynolds (“Red Dawn,” “The Count of Monte Cristo,” “RobinHood: Prince of Thieves”) is on board to direct the dramaticminiseries, which will shoot in Romania.

The project will air next year to coincide with the 150thanniversary of the bloody Hatfield and McCoy battle, which attractedinternational headlines.

Carey Mulligan changes gear in Drive (via BBC)

Nicolas Winding Refn'snew film Drive has brutal killings, nerve-jangling car chases andbone-breaking violence. So why did fresh-faced Carey Mulligan beg forpart in it?

"I'm in a film with guns - which is rare!" says Carey Mulligan of her role in the Danish director's crime thriller.
"Iwanted to do something that would be a bit of a stretch," adds the starof An Education and Never Let Me Go, "like playing a mother, andexploring a different genre."

Drive is now showing in theaters near you and at #3 (with $11M+) in its first weekend of release. 

In other P&P/Austen Actors' related news...

Blake Lively Offered Lead Role in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES?

Oscar Hopeful Shorts Screening in LA - Colin Firth, Keira Knightly, Julia Stiles
(via the Examiner.com)

Out of the 12 shorts shown, Steve with Colin Firth (The King’s Speech) and Keira Knightly (Pride and Prejudice)was one of the highlights. The story follows a middle-age man, whoregularly visits his neighbors for very odd reasons with surprisingtwists. This event was held as part of the Oscar qualifying process,which requires three consecutive days (Tuesday-Thursday) of paidscreenings at least twice a day in a Los Angeles County theater.

Jennifer Ehle: A Gifted Man's Leading Lady (via The Daily Beast)

Many viewers will forever associate Jennifer Ehle with her career-making role as Elizabeth Bennet in the BBC’s Pride & Prejudice, the sumptuous adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel. But the 41-year old actress, the daughter of the actress Rosemary Harris and the writer John Ehleand now a mother of two, has been producing a steady body of work forboth the stage and film, since she first donned a curly black wig toplay Austen’s outspoken romantic heroine back in 1995. On Broadway, shewon a Tony award in 2000 for The Real Thing and another in 2007 for The Coast of Utopia.

The Daily Beast sat down with Ehle, and in these excerpts we discussed A Gifted Man, why she left Game of Thrones, attachment parenting, why she’s never recognized on the street, and ghost sex. Read her full interview here!

Speaking of JE, Tonight (and every Friday nights at 8/7C) watch Jennifer Ehle (Pride and Prejudice 1995's Elizabeth Bennet) on the series premiere of A Gifted Man on CBS!

Colin Firth claims to have 'no memory' of winning best actor Oscar
(via Metro)

Firth said it was 'completely extraordinary' that he could notremember receiving the statuette, but added: 'I think when major thingshappen to us, whether good or bad, there's a slight shock.
'It has a slightly numbing effect.'

 Colin Firth, Helen Fielding Confirm Bridget Jones 3 (via Lez Get Real)
Can lightning strike a third time? Colin Firth has let it slip thatthere will be a Bridget Jones 3. So far, there has been no confirmationas to whether or not Hugh Grant, who was in the first and secondmovies, will be back for the third, but Firth has had something of aninsider’s knowledge about the direction of the script.

Talking to Marie Claire, the Oscar winner did indicate that theentire cast will be returning saying that “It does become a bit of afamily at the time, it’ll be like one of those rather fraught familyreunions at Christmas.”