Two teen-centered films from New Line and FilmNation have been quietly picking up steam as of late, and while neither production packs tremendous star power under its respective wings, our latest casting report shows they’ve decided to pull in some fine character actors and fresh talent instead.
After more than a year donning hours-worth of make-up every day in order to play Thorin Oakenshield in “The Hobbit,” actor Richard Armitage (“MI-5”) must be pretty thrilled to be starring next as a flesh-and-blood human, this time in an untitled New Line disaster flick. He’ll join Sarah Wayne (“The Walking Dead”), as well as newcomer Alycia Debnam-Carey in the film, which follows a group of high school teenagers who contend with the immediate aftermath of a devastating tornado. Helming the film is director Steve Quale (“Final Destination 5”), working from John Swetnam‘s script, and while no word has been revealed on the approach Quale will take (let the words “found footage” stay far, far away), having an actor as accomplished as Armitage in your arsenal definitely won’t hinder proceedings. [Deadline]
Though it will still be a while before the disaster film formerly known as “Category 6” goes before cameras, at least they’re close to finding their cast, just like the FilmNation comedy “Premature,” which is making its final cast additions before filming starts this Wednesday in Atlanta. Whedon mainstay Alan Tudyk has signed on with “Submarine” star Craig Roberts for the Dan Beers-directed film, in what could be described as a “Groundhog Day” for horny teens. The film charts a young man’s attempt to lose his virginity, and when the situation takes an unfortunate turn, he finds himself reliving the same day over and over again until he can finally succeed. Katie Findlay (“The Killing“), John Karna (“Bindlestiffs“), Adam Riegler, and Carlson Young (“True Blood“) round out the already-established cast, who alongside Tudyk should definitely elevate the film’s otherwise staid premise. [Variety]