A terrific cast is forming around U.K. filmmaker Ben Wheatley‘s net film, “High-Rise." The movie already stars Tom Hiddleston, Sienna Miller, Jeremy Irons and James Purefoy (HBO’s “Rome”). That’s good enough as it is, but announced last night, joining the cast are “Mad Men” and “Top Of The Lake” star Elisabeth Moss and Luke Evans of “The Hobbit” and the upcoming “Dracula Untold.”
Based on the J.G. Ballard novel of the same name, the movie will chronicle the unnerving tale of life in a modern tower block running out of control. Wheatley’s probably the most exciting filmmaker to come out of the U.K. in some time and has directed a succession of excellent genre films like the comedic serial killers film, "Sightseers," the hit man horror "Kill List," and the crime family comedic drama, "Down Terrace." Wheatley regulars Reece Shearsmith, Peter Ferdinando and Dan Renton Skinner are also in the cast. Filming begins in July, so add to your most anticipated 2015 list. [Variety]
More casting…
Rooney Mara will star in the Annapurna Pictures produced adaptation of the memoir, "A House In The Sky." Amanda Lindhout and Sara Corbett penned the book, and Mara will co-produce the film, that follows Lindhout, whose deep passion for exploration of the world’s most remote and perilous places, took an unexpected turn when she was abducted in 2008 in Mogadishu, Somalia by a rebel terrorist group, held for fifteen months, kept in chains, nearly starved, and subjected to unthinkable abuse. Heavy material indeed. No word yet on who will direct.
Ben Kingsley has been hired by Disney to voice Bagheera in Jon Favreau‘s upcoming "The Jungle Book." It’ll be a live action/animated hybrid and mark the second collaboration between Favreau and Kingsley following "Iron Man 3."
Remember that forthcoming Amazon pilot “Red Oaks” from the awesome creative team of Steven Soderbergh and David Gordon Green? It’s landed a lead actor, “Submarine” star Craig Roberts. Roberts has yet to break out in the U.S.— he’s had small roles in "22 Jump Street," and "Neighbors" — but his performance in Richard Ayoade’s aforementioned coming-of-age film is an unforgettable debut for those that hadn’t seen him in small U.K. films before. It’s a must-see and you should track it down if you haven’t already (first person to call it a Wes Anderson rip-off; feel free to punch yourself in the face). [Deadline]
“22 Jump Street” actor Wyatt Russell is arguably the break-out actor of that enjoyable comedy sequel. He’s landed a role in “Folk Hero & Funny Guy” along with Melanie Lynskey and “Girls” actor Alex Karpovsky. The film will be directorial debut of Jeff Grace, who starred and produced in the awesome and way underrated 2013 indie comedy “It’s A Disaster.” Definitely flag it as one to watch. [Variety]
Rene Russo, "Girls" actor Andrew Rannells, Anders Holm, and Zack Pearlman have all joined the cast of “The Intern,” Nancy Meyers’ workplace comedy that stars Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro. Now you know. [THR]
Speaking of breakout actors, P.J. Bryne stole quite a few of his scenes opposite Jonah Hill and Leonardo Di Caprio in Martin Scorsese‘s "The Wolf Of Wall Street." Marty noticed because Byrne will be joining Bobby Cannavale, Olivia Wilde, Juno Temple and Ray Romano in the filmmaker’s new rock ‘n’ roll pilot for HBO. [Deadline]