We've long discussed the career of Colin Farrell, one that hasn't particularly been on steady rise so much as moved in fits and starts. The actor has tackled franchises and indies in equal measure, with some more successful than others. This year sees him lead the "Total Recall" remake and star in Martin McDonagh's "Seven Psychopaths," and he's filming the thriller "Dead Man Down" as well. And while we'll have to see how those films play out, his next endeavor is kind of a no brainer for success.
Deadline reports that Farrell has joined Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson in the true story tale "Saving Mr. Banks." Penned by Kelly Marcel, the film will tell the tale of how Walt Disney persuaded Australian author P.L. Travers to give him the rights to her most famous creation, magical nanny "Mary Poppins." Travers had been reluctant to sell the film rights, due to her personal connection to her creation, but Disney eventually won her over. However, she hated the film, and in particular the animated sequences, and Disney and Travers became estranged. Hanks is set to play Walt with Thompson as Travers, while Farrell will play her father (presumably in flashback) who died when she was seven years old, and inspired the character of Mr. Banks in "Mary Poppins."
Yes, this movie is also set up at Disney and you can't really ask for bigger Oscar bait than this. "The Blind Side" director John Lee Hancock is at the helm, but no word yet on when this will start rolling.