andPOP » casting

Terrence Howard, Cuba Gooding Jr. Join Red Tails Cast

Eva Lam — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 23:11:32 +0000

George Lucas’ upcoming WWII drama has enlisted two more actors.

Oscar nominee Terrence Howard and Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. will star in “Red Tails,” based on the story of the first unit of African-American fighter pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen.

The ensemble drama has long been in the works for Lucas, who is producing the film through his Lucasfilm studio.

“I’ve been wanting to do ‘Red Tails’ for 20 years, and we’ve finally got the means to showcase the skill of the Tuskegee pilots,” Lucas said in a press release on Monday. “We’re working on techniques which will give us the first true look at the aerial dogfighting of the era.”

The cast also includes Bryan Cranston (AMC’s “Breaking Bad”), Tristan Wilds (The CW’s “90210″) and Nate Parker (”The Secret Life of Bees”), as well as musicians Cliff “Method Man” Smith and Ne-Yo.

The movie will be directed by Anthony Hemingway, who has worked on such TV series as “The Wire,” “CSI: New York” and “The Closer.” He will helm the project from a script by “Three Kings” writer John Ridley.

Filming is expected to begin in Europe this spring, though a release date has not yet been announced.

Saturday Night Live Reunion

Ilan Mester — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:13:09 +0000

Adam Sandler and his former “Saturday Night Live” co-stars Chris Rock, Rob Schneider and David Spade are planning a comedy flick alongside “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” actor Kevin James.

The film will follow five high school buddies who reunite on a July 4 holiday weekend after 30 years. Sandler co-wrote the comedy that will be directed by “You Don’t Mess With the Zohan” director Dennis Dugan according to Variety.

In other news, rapper Snopp Dogg has sealed a deal with MTV to host a variety show called “Dogg After Dark.” The show will feature celebrity interviews, performances by artists and sketch comedy. “Dogg After Dark” will air for seven Tuesdays consecutively starting February 14, according to E! Online.

Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins and Oscar nominee Josh Brolin are set to join an ensemble cast for Woody Allen’s next movie. The film written by Allen will start filming this summer in London.

Tom Cruise Loses Role To Angelina Jolie

andPOP Staff — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 08:01:07 +0000

Tom Cruise has taken another blow to his career and ego as he has reportedly lost a role – to Angelina Jolie.

According to Variety, Cruise was attached to the title role of “Edwin A. Salt,” a CIA drama. But when studio execs found out that Jolie had taken a liking to the script, they re-wrote it for her.

With the deal close to being signed, Jolie will likely play the CIA agent accused of spying for Russia, forcing her to elude her own company and prove her innocence. Of course, the film and character will be re-named.

Cruise, on the other hand, will next appear briefly in “Tropic Thunder.”

Hayden Almost Lost Hit Role To Eminem

andPOP Staff — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 03:13:17 +0000

While Hayden Christensen is celebrating his box office success this weekend, Eminem may be just a tad jealous.

The lead role in the hit “Jumper” almost went to the rap superstar, writer/director Doug Liman revealed to MTV News. 20th Century Fox studio execs pulled for Eminem as he was more well-known.

“‘If I’ve proven anything to myself, it’s that I can tailor a role to an actor,” Liman explained. “[I could] develop the role with [someone like Eminem] and make it extremely specific to them. So as long as the person has acting chops, I’m open to talking to almost anybody for almost any role.”

But it was Canadian cutie Christensen that Liman demanded to work with. “At some point, I just put my foot down and said, ‘I love Hayden.’”

With the film pulling in $27.2 million in North America this past weekend, it appears that Liman’s faith in Christensen’s star power was right.

For fans who can’t get enough Hayden, he graces the cover of Details magazine this month.

‘The Hills’ Too Classy For Paris Hilton

andPOP Staff — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 16:56:34 +0000

Amidst rumours that “The Hills” is fake, producers are holding onto their last shred of dignity by refusing to let Paris Hilton appear on the show.

Crew members of the show were reportedly overheard discussing Hilton’s attempts to land a role, saying that the producers felt it would be “pushing the limits” of believability.

It’s not really that much of a stretch, though. Nicole Ritchie, Paris’ re-instated BFF, has been seen out on the town with “Hills” stars Lauren Conrad and Audrina Partridge.

The producers may have their noses raised over Hilton, but they are apparently not above casting people in key roles of Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt’s upcoming wedding.

Roxy Olin, daughter of “Brothers and Sisters” actor Ken Olin, is in final talks to be Montag’s maid of honour.