When was the last time a picture had this many public problems? “Jane’s Got A Gun”? Ironically, the star of that film Natalie Portman has passed on co-starring alongside Michael Fassbender in the Steve Jobs biopic that will be directed by Danny Boyle. Aaron Sorkin wrote the script and Seth Rogen will play Steven Wozniak (no word on those Jessica Chastain rumors yet). Sony Pictures was originally going to make the film, but got cold feet and put it in turnaround. Universal rescued the picture and despite its many ups and downs, production is still on track to start in the spring. No reason was given for Portman passing, though other female actresses are currently meeting for the role. Meanwhile, in more positive news for the film, "The Newsroom" star Jeff Daniels is being eyed to play former Apple CEO John Sculley. [Variety/The Wrap]
Shooting is right around the corner on David O. Russell’s “Joy” starring Jennifer Lawrence, thus full-on casting is underway. The film already co-stars Robert De Niro as Lawrence’s father and now “Zero Dark Thirty” actor Edgar Ramirez has been cast as her husband. The movie is about Miracle Mop inventor Joy Mangano and is already set for Christmas Day in 2015, so presumably another Oscar contender. Russell said he was writing a role for “Silver Linings Playbook” and “American Hustle” star Bradley Cooper, but there’s no word on whether he’s signed up for any part yet. [THR]
One day he’s the schlub from “Parks And Recreation,” the next he’s leading every new tentpole remake in sight. If Chris Pratt isn’t a huge star yet, he’s on the verge. The actor led “Guardians Of The Galaxy” to great success, he’s starring in the “Jurassic World” sequel next summer and now he’s signed up alongside Denzel Washington in the remake of “The Magnificent Seven,” which will be directed by “The Equalizer” helmer Antoine Fuqua. Nic Pizzolatto (HBO’s “True Detective”) wrote a draft before his show blew up and John Lee Hancock did a rewrite. Pratt is said to be in early talks and if he signs on he’ll eventually be joined by five more actors. The original starred Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen and Charles Bronson among others, so it sounds like MGM is going for a modern day superstar cast that could rival the all-star ensemble of the recently cast “Suicide Squad.” [Deadline]
It’s not what many TV audiences would like to see, but the revolving cast and start-over stories of “True Detective” still feels like a bold new way to keep television fresh and on its toes. FX’s “Fargo” is going the same route and wiping the slate clean for season two. The first cast members have been announced for the next season and they include Jeffrey Donovan, Rachel Keller and possibly Nick Offerman. [The Wrap]
As we’ve already noted and you’ve surely noticed, auteurs are no longer afraid of television and it’s a medium that directors are seeing as an opportunity to go long and deep. Cameron Crowe has joined this field of filmmakers popping up in TV and his show “Roadies” has cast Imogen Poots and Luke Wilson in lead roles. “Roadies” hasn’t been picked up yet, but the hour-long pilot will focus on the quotidian lives of an unsung rock band on the road, which sounds a little bit like an extension of the ideas explored in “Almost Famous.” [The Wrap]
Park Chan-Wook‘s next film, "Lady," based on Sarah Waters‘ novel "Fingersmith," is gearing up, and has landed some cast members. Kim Min-hee, Kim Tae-ri, Jo Jin-woong and Ha Jeong-woo will star in the story about "an orphan raised to be a pickpocket and now embroiled in the fraud of an heiress." Production starts in January, and unlike the BBC‘s faithful adaptation of the period tale from 2005, Park Chan-Wook is changing up the setting. [via Film Divider]