Casting Bits: Emile Hirsch Also Joins Oliver Stone’s ‘Savages;’ Ralph Fiennes In Talks For ‘Great Expectations’
Oliver Stoneis quickly locking down the cast forSavages, the adaptation ofDon Winslow’s novel about two pot dealers (Aaron JohnsonandTaylor Kitsch) whose mutual girlfriend (Blake Lively) is kidnapped by a drug cartel (Salma HayekandBenicio del Toro) in an effort to coerce the guys into bowing to the cartel’s will.John TravoltaandUma Thurmanalso signed on, with that casting announced just hours ago.
NowEmile Hirsch, the great young(ish) actor who seems to do a spate of films then drop off the radar for a while, is in the film playing a role that is yet to be announced. That makes quite a cast so far — while it is difficult to get excited about John Travolta of late, the collection of people is a pretty serious lineup. Is this going to be the movie where Oliver Stone really roars back to life? [Variety]
After the break, while Ralph Fiennes remains a possible addition to the next James Bond film, he’s also in line for a part in Mike Newell’s new version ofGreat Expectations.
2012 is the Charles Dickens bicenennial birthday, and so there are a few new Dickens projects coming together. One feature that is being put together is a new version ofGreat Expectations, withMike Newelldirecting from a script byRowan Joffe(The American). The film already hasHelena Bonham Carterin talks to play Miss Havisham, andJeremy Irvineset to play Pip.
NowRalph Fiennesis reportedly a possibility for Magwitch, but scheduling could be an issue. He’s got to promote his filmCoriolanus, and he’s set for a stage version ofThe Tempestthat runs from late August to late October. But ‘late August’ is also the rough beginning date forGreat Expectations.Baz Bamigboyereports that one solution would be to shoot the Dickens film during the day, then appear inThe Tempestat night, but that seems like a hell of a workload.
Meanwhile, Mr. Fiennes is still in talks forBond 23, but there is no new word on progress there.
