It seems we hear more about rising talent Abigail Spencer than we actually see of her onscreen but, as fans of "Mad Men" may attest to, she's certainly someone to keep an eye out for. In the near future, the actress will feature in Curtis Hanson's surfing drama "Of Men And Mavericks," appear in the upcoming 'Oz The Great And Powerful," and will star in and co-produce (with James Franco) the drama "Wrong Number."
Spencer has now lined up a starring role opposite undervalued "The Hurt Locker" star Brian Geraghty for the romantic drama "Kilimanjaro." Written and directed by Walter Strafford, the story follows a man who is determined to climb African mountain Mt. Kilimanjaro after a recent break up with Geraghty playing the lead and Spencer set to portray a receptionist he has eyes on. Lensing begins on the project in New York next month.
Meanwhile, British actor/comic Steve Coogan will shed his pimpy look in Michael Winterbottom's "The King Of Soho" and lend his pipes to the upcoming sequel to Universal's animated flick "Despicable Me."
No word on who exactly Coogan will voice but he'll join a strong cast that includes Steve Carell, Al Pacino, Kristen Wiig, Russell Brand and Miranda Cosgrove. Directors Chris Renaud and Pierre Coffin return for the sequel, which grossed a whopping $543 million worldwide. And as was revealed yesterday, Coogan will reprise his famed character Alan Partridge for a feature film that will shoot this fall. [THR/THR]