The idea of a remake of Indonesian action sensation “The Raid” without the bonkers, surely-someone-must-have-died action genius of director Gareth Evans, or with the presumably lax approach to health and safety that’s the only way some of the insanity of the film (and its even crazier sequel) could have been pulled off, seems somewhat pointless. But nevertheless, Screen Gems have been pressing on, with “Red Hill” and “The Expendables 3” helmer Patrick Hughes attached to direct, and they just made a hire that means we might have a sliver of interest in the prospect.
The excellent Frank Grillo, who broke out in the last few years thanks to “Warrior,” “The Grey” and, most recently, “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” in which he played a villainous HYDRA agent, has told We Got This Covered that he’s signed on to star in the remake of “The Raid.” The actor was said to have been being courted for the project along with Luke Evans, Anthony Mackie and Ethan Hawke: it’s unclear whether any of the others have signed on, but there’s no project that hasn’t been improved with a bit of Grillo, so this is good news. Filming will start in January, and we’ll next see the actor in a few weeks as the lead in horror sequel “The Purge: Anarchy.”
Sacha Baron Cohen has been on the hunt for a while for a hit to equal his breakout “Borat,” with both “Bruno” and “The Dictator” making half what the first film did, and he’s mostly stuck to supporting roles like in “Les Miserables,” or his upcoming villainous gig in “Alice In Wonderland 2: Through The Looking Glass.” But his next starring gig, in action-comedy “Grimsby,” is looking like his most promising prospect in a while.
The film (penned by Baron Cohen, “Wreck It Ralph” writer Phil Johnston and “Borat” scribe Peter Baynham) sees the star paired with the great Mark Strong, who plays a suave spy forced to team up with his thuggish football hooligan brother . The project’s gained a number of key supporting players in recent days, with The Wrap announcing that Baron Cohen’s wife Isla Fisher will team up with her husband for the first time in the project, while Variety also reveal that “Pitch Perfect“‘s Rebel Wilson is also on board, both in unknown roles. Ian McShane, Annabelle Wallis, David Harewood, Gabourey Sidibe and Johnny Vegas are also involved, while Louis Leterrier is directing, and “Hot Fuzz” producer Nira Park is shepherding thing, with Adam McKay exec-ing. So yeah, that’s a lot of talent in one place. The film hits on July 31st, 2015
007 star Daniel Craig was all set to star in the courtroom drama “The Whole Truth” from director Courtney Hunt, the filmmaker behind the mostly excellent 2007 Sundance drama “Frozen River” (a great film, if a little punishing in its miserablism). But two months ago, the actor mysteriously exited the film four days before it was supposed to begin filming. The movie is already is set to star Gugu Mbatha-Raw (“Belle”), Renée Zellweger, and Gabriel Basso (“The Kings Of Summer”) among others. Well, the production has found a replacement in Keanu Reeves. He’ll play a defense attorney who fights to get his teenage client (Basso) acquitted of murdering his wealthy father. Filming starts in July [Deadline]
The dynamic duo of bffs Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are spectacular when it comes to hosting the Golden Globes. Starring in movies? Not so much (see 2008’s “Baby Mama”). But maybe, just maybe they can bottle up that… utterly hysterical co-hosting Globes hilarity into some kind of tonic that works for the big screen? Well, they are giving it a shot with the upcoming comedy “The Nest,” a comedy directed by “Pitch Perfect” helmer Jason Moore that centers on two 30-something sisters who find out their parent’s house has been put up for sale. So they do what any ordinary adult would do, and they decide to have a final wild weekend full of bonding and feelings and stuff. Close ‘SNL’ bestie Maya Rudolph has just joined the cast that also includes James Brolin and Ike Barinholtz so far. Speaking of Rudolph she has also booked a role in the indie “The Greens Are Gone” starring Catherine Keener. [THR]
Hannah Fidell’s 2013 indie “A Teacher” is an uneven effort, but a striking one that one has to ultimately recommend (a lot of great things going for it). And it’s great to hear she’s got another project ready to go. Written by Fidell, her untitled new featuring is being executive produced by Mark Duplass through his Duplass Brothers Productions. It’s got a terrific up and coming cast of terrific actors and stars Taissa Farmiga (“American Horror Story“) and Ben Rosenfield, who’s really shined as Steve Buscemi’s nephew in “Boardwalk Empire” (he really could be the next new thing in a few years, kid is great). The movie also includes Lindsay Burdge (the terrific star of “A Teacher” who definitely is one to watch), Joshua Leonard, Peter Vack and Jennifer Lafleur. Farmiga and Rosenfield will play a young couple, sweethearts since high school, about to graduate college when events threaten to tear them apart. Mark this on some indie anticipated calendar for next year. [THR]