Reese Witherspoon, Zac Efron, Halle Berry, Justin Bieber Reportedly Being Sought For Roles
Garry Marshall is evidently ramping up his production of “New Year’s Eve,” his quasi-sequel to the successful 2009 picture “Valentine’s Day” which starred an ensemble cast including Julia Roberts, Bradley Cooper, Jessica Biel, Anne Hathaway, and many, many more.
According to E! Online, “Glee” star Lea Michelle will be signing on to the cast imminently and Marshall is eyeing Reese Witherspoon, Zac Efron, Halle Berry and Justin Bieber for roles in what will be another similarly-themed ensemble comedy, but will likely not star any of the actors from the previous film. All these names make sense frankly: Efron was supposed to take a role in “Valentine’s Day,” but it eventually went to Taylor Lautner, and with Hathaway, Biel, plus Jessica Alba, Jennifer Garner, Taylor Swift out of the mix (they all appeared in the original), there aren’t that many rom-com-y actresses left that Marshall can include in the picture so Berry and Witherspoon are good choices (wait, no Jennifer Aniston? We erroneously added Jennifer Connelly earlier, but since she was in the awful rom-com, “He’s Just Not That Into You,” maybe they could work her in too).
Bieber can take the Swift, “I’m a musician too” spot (though it’s been rumored that she could return), and Efron, despite his attempts to bridge out beyond this kind of film, seems bred for roles like this one (Bieber was reportedly being chased earlier this year).
Much like its predecessor, Marshall’s follow-up will track the lives of several couples and singles in New York as they intertwine over the course of New Year’s Eve. It’s a formula, people, and one that apparently works. The script is being written by Katherine Fugate who penned, “Valentine’s Day” and “The Prince and Me” among others.
Since “Valentine’s Day” made a very respectable $110 million domestically and $213 million worldwide, the only thing that will stop Marshall from doing people in love during “St. Patrick’s Day,” “Yom Kippur” and “Easter” is audience indifference. You’ve been forewarned, people.