Casting Bits: Kodi Smit-McPhee In ‘Romeo And Juliet,’ Michael Pena Signs For ‘Gangster Squad,’ Corbin Bernsen Joins ‘Lay The Favorite’
An up and comer, a recognizable character actor and a seasoned veteran have all signed on to very different projects. The up and comer,Kodi Smit-McPhee, best known for his awesome work inThe RoadandLet Me In, is reportedly circling the role of Benvolio inCarlo Carlei’snew film adaptationof William Shakespeare’sRomeo and Julietalong side Haliee Steinfeld, Holly Hunter and Ed Westwick.Michael Pena, the recognizable character actor, has joinedthe already impressive castofGangster Squad,Ruben Fleischer’s upcoming true-life gangster film starring Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling and Josh Brolin. Then the seasoned veteran,Corbin Bernsenjoins thefemale-centric gambling storyLay the Favoritestarring Bruce Willis, Vince Vaughn and Rebecca Hall directed byStephen Frears. Read about each film, and role, after the break.
The newRomeo and Juliet, directed by Carlo Carlei (Fluke) is quietly nabbing quite the cast. Steinfeld (True Grit) is Juliet and while they’ve yet to cast a Romeo, Smit-McPhee will play Benvolio, his cousin. Hunter is Juliet’s nurse and Westwick (Gossip Girl) is Tybalt. It’s scheduled to start shooting this summer in Italy. Thanks toVarietyfor the scoop.
We’ve already written extensively aboutGangster Squad,Zombielanddirector Ruben Fleischer’s true life film about a police squad in 1940s Los Angeles who hunt down gangsters, and whileit had been rumored in the past, now Penn, Gosling and Brolin have been confirmed for their previously mentioned roles. Plus Michael Pena (Crash, Observe & Report) has joined the film in an unknown role. Thanks toMTVfor the getting the info out of Fleischer.
Finally,Lay the Favorite, directed by Stephen Frears (High Fidelity), justkeeps adding big namesto its cast. It’s the true story of Beth Raymer, played by Rebecca Hall, who started as a cocktail waitress and became one of the best gamblers in all of Las Vegas. Bernsen, best known for his work onLA Lawand in theMajor Leaguefilms, will play her father. Bruce Willis, Vince Vaughn, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Joshua Jackson and more all are also in the film. Thanks again toVariety.
