What is Casting Couch? A handy way to keep up with what all of your favorite actors are going to be up to in the coming months and years. Does that make you a stalker? Today we’ve got word on who’s the latest name to join George Clooney in Brad Bird’s mysterious Tomorrowland.
Few things in the world are funnier than Jack Black kicking Will Ferrell’s dog off of a bridge, that much is certain. But take the hilarious animal cruelty out of the equation and would these two A-list comedians still be able to produce laughs together? We’re about to find out, because THR is reporting that New Line is putting together a comedy called Tag, which has them attached as co-stars. The basic story of the film comes from a “Wall Street Journal” article about ten classmates from a Washington prep school, now all in their 40s, who get together one month out of the year to play an elaborate game of tag. This conceit, of course, is just the sort of manchild nonsense that these two should be able to knock out of the park, as long as they get a script everyone likes and the thing actually comes together.
Cameron Diaz
Bad Teacher isn’t a comedy that got very much respect or recognition upon its release, and maybe that’s because its ads made it look pretty lame. But the movie itself actually ended up being kind of funny. The biggest reason for that? Jason Segel’s performance as the male lead. Because of their chemistry in that film, it makes sense that he and Cameron Diaz should team back up and star in another comedy together, so that’s exactly what Bad Teacher director Jake Kasdan is trying to make happen for his next film, Sex Tape.
This comedy about a couple who lose a video they made of themselves making the beast with two backs already has Segel attached as the male lead, and now The Wrap has word that Diaz is in early talks to portray the lady in the equation. Do it Ms. Diaz, Jason Segel is your density.
Paz Vega
You may think that you have no interest in watching a historical drama directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, but when you take a look at the cast he’s put together for Pompeii, it’s possible that you might have to give the guy another chance. Already this tale of warrior slaves, corrupt politicians, beautiful maidens, and exploding volcanoes stars names like Kit Harington, Kiefer Sutherland, Jared Harris, and Emily Browning, and now Variety is reporting that Anderson has also added Paz Vega in the role of Strigana, the high priestess of ancient Pompeii. I’m not sure if you’ve noticed or not, but Paz Vega is going to make a very pretty priestess.
Frank Langella
Casting seems to be going along swimmingly over on Ivan Reitman’s NFL trade drama, Draft Day. The film stars Kevin Costner as the GM of the Cleveland Browns, a manager who’s trying to pull every string imaginable to get his team the first pick in the upcoming draft. We’ve already heard that Costner is going to be supported by names like Jennifer Garner and Denis Leary, and now Deadline is reporting that Reitman has also signed up veteran actor Frank Langella to play the Browns’ owner. Langella is not only a hell of a fun guy to watch perform, but he’s also already worked with the director on Dave and Junior. Let’s hope they can rekindle a little bit of that Junior magic.
Ellen Burstyn
If somehow they don’t, though, it won’t be too much of a big deal, because THR is reporting that Reitman has also signed Ellen Burstyn to join the film. Pretty much everything she’s in is worth watching just due to her presence, so Reitman has all of his bases covered on this one. According to the trade, Burstyn will be playing the Costner character’s battle axe of a mother, who just had to deal with her husband’s death and now must step in and handle her son’s life. The film is set to start shooting scenes next week, during the actual NFL draft, so that means that a handful of football players are probably going to get the chance to meet an acting legend. As if their lives weren’t already privileged enough…
Raffey Cassidy
What’s this project that Brad Bird and Damon Lindelof are putting together called Tomorrowland? Nobody is really sure, because they’re being very secretive about it, but chances are it probably has something to do with aliens. What we do know is some casting details. George Clooney is the star of the film, Hugh Laurie is playing the bad guy, and now, thanks to Heat Vision, we know that young actress Raffey Cassidy is going to be joining the film in the role of a decades-old robot who’s been programmed with a whole bunch of fighting styles. Robots and aliens? Sign me up. If you think you recognize Cassidy, that might be because she played young Kristen Stewart in Snow White and the Huntsman.