Is Terry Gilliam’s “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” — which, for the umpteenth time, features the last onscreen appearance of Heath Ledger — about to receive a U.S. release date? According to an August 4 Twitter post, “news on a US release date coming soon…” We’re thinking this is looking like an IFC release because the trailer didn’t really dazzle us though Gilliam devotees seem to think it’s the second coming of christ, but what else is new. [Twitter]
Has Paul Giamatti stepped into Sean Penn’s role in “The Three Stooges”? Has Jim Carry left the Farrelly Brothers project all together? This is what the Boston Globe is reporting. Giamatti, instead of Penn, sinks this project like a stone as far as we’re concerned. [/Film image via Vulture]
Oscar-nominated thespian Frank Langella has joined the cast of Oliver Stone’s “Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps.” He will apparently play a financial mentor type (Obi Wan?) to Shia LaBeouf’s character. The film stars LaBeouf and Michael Douglas (reprising his famous Gordon Gekko role) and it appears that Josh Brolin will sign on soon too, replacing Javier Bardem as the villain. If rumors turn out to be true, it appears that Carey Mulligan (“An Education”) will also appear as Douglas’ daughter/LaBeouf’s love interest. Shooting will begin later this fall so casting should be wrapped up
soon.
“In The Loop” director Armando Iannucci says an “I’m Alan Partridge” feature-film idea is still on the table and being discussed with star Steve Coogan. ‘Patridge’ is the character and show conceived by Coogan that was a huge hit in the U.K. and part of the reason why Coogan has now become a star in the U.S. “We’re still talking about a story,” Iannucci said. “It has to feel up there with the TV show in terms of quality. We’ve got various ideas and they’re making us laugh so that’s the good thing.” The show centered on a failed and inept BBC television talk-show host trying to make another go at it on a smaller, local scale. The show is insanely popular with some comedy types and has a huge cult following, but call us insane, we didn’t think it was all that funny (likewise Coogan’s character in “In The Loop,” was adored, but we thought that was rather mild too). [DigitalSpy]
Four new actors, most of them relatively unknown — Josh Hutcherson, Isabel Lucas (“Transformers 2”) , Connor Cruise (the adopted son of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman) and Edwin Hodge (“All the Boys Love Mandy Lane”) have joined the cast of the “Red Dawn,” remake which already stars Chris Hemsworth (the guy pegged to be “Thor” and a major star soon), Josh Peck (“The Wackness”) and Adrianne Palicki (TV’s “Friday Night Lights”). The original “Red Dawn,” about a Russian invasion on the U.S. set in Middle America, struck at the exact time in 1984 during the height of the Regan-era Cold War. Culturally relevant and preying on societal fears and paranoia, the film struck a chord and was relatively successful. But how will a modern remake take, given the fact we’re nowhere near a war with Russia or the Chinese (the new co-enemies in this thing)? Hard to say, but one would only assume the picture will simply be a fantasy action flick, with little to no cultural or political relevance. Fun fact: our segmented group in film school was dubbed “The Wolverines.” Which we suppose produces minimal affection for this strangely-conceived project. The original “Red Dawn” was written and directd by one of Hollywood’s most notable tough-guy Republicans John Milius, who is on the board of director’s of the National Rifle Association, but he wrote some pretty great films including, “Jeremiah Johnson” (with Edward Anhalt), “Dirty Harry” (uncredited), and “Apocalypse Now” (though Coppola was rewriting that thing every day on set). If that sounds appealing, don’t get your hopes up too high, Milius has nothing to do with this remake. [THR]