A couple of casting updates for two films about to roll in front of cameras.
First up, the Tom Cruise thriller “One Shot” keeps adding actors as Deadline reports that Jai Courtney has come aboard the Christopher McQuarrie film. Who? The actor is best known for playing Varro on “Spartacus: Blood and Sand” but in the upcoming thriller, he’ll be a sniper looking to take off Cruise’s head. Based on the best-selling book by Lee Child, the story finds ex-military man and drifter Jack Reacher (Cruise) drawn into the case of a military sniper accused of five murders, and who discovers a twisty cover-up along the way. Rosamund Pike, David Oyelowo, Richard Jenkins, Alexia Fast and Robert Duvall round out the cast. The latter’s role has not yet been disclosed, though it’s said to be small but pivotal part and having read the book, we think he may be the villain that is at the center of the story. Just a guess though. Filming kicks off this fall with a February 8, 2013 release date slated.
Switching gears a bit, the upcoming ensemble comedy “Neighborhood Watch” featuring Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill, Richard Ayoade, Nicholas Braun, Rosemarie DeWitt and Will Forte has added a much more unknown face to the cast. Variety reveals that young newcomer Erin Moriarty has joined the film. With only a couple of TV stints to date on “One Life To Live” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” this will be a big step up for Moriarty, though her role in the film — about a suburban neighborhood watch group who discover a conspiracy that threatens the entire world — will be fairly small. SNL writer/director and Lonely Island member Akiva Schaffer will direct.