It’s been thirteen years since the release of Sam Mendes’ Academy Award-winning directorial debut, which screened at the Toronto International Film Festival following its Hollywood premiere. And now “Juno” and “Up in the Air” helmer Jason Reitman will host a live reading of Alan Ball’s screenplay this Thursday at the festival.
Reitman has been putting together "Live Read" events for the past little while, gathering together various actors to take a run at classic screenplays in front of a live audience. The twist is that there are no rehearsals beforehand, so it provides a great opportunity to see stories and characters take shape and watch how actors play and react off each other in real time. We caught the Reitman organized reading of "The Apartment" in New York City earlier this year, and it was certainly a night to remember.
Right now, the only confirmed names to be part of Reitman’s reading are Adam Driver, who is best known as Hannah’s on-again, off-again boyfriend in the divisive HBO show “Girls,” and "Cosmopolis" star Sarah Gadon. Driver will be taking over the role of Ricky Fitts, who was played by Wes Bentley in the film, with Gadon slotting in for Mena Suvari's character, Angela. Over the next day or so Reitman will be announcing more of his all-star lineup of who will be tackling "American Beauty" via Twitter and we’ll keep you updated as more casting news hits. Check out the cool teaser poster below.