News Round-Up: Casting for ‘I Saw the Light,’ ‘Skull Island’; Matt Damon Returns to the ‘Bourne’ Franchise; and More
It isn’t very often we have News Round-Ups like today’s. In fact, I can’t remember a time where I skipped release dates altogether. Most, if not all, of today’s biggest movie news stories involve new castings with just the final bits involving actors (Matt Damon and Theo James) that are returning to the franchises (the Bourne and Underworld, respectfully) which I guess could technically be considered casting.
For all the casting bits (I’ll give you a hint: they’re for I Saw the Light, Skull Island, Ziggy, a Vacation reboot and Brooklyn Bridge), keep on reading!
I’ll start with Elizabeth Olsen and the Hank Williams biopic I Saw the Light. Olsen joins another member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Tom Hiddleston, in the movie that should be quite the draw when it releases. Production is set to begin next month (with news reports that Hiddleston has been performing Williams’ songs in preparation for the role), so we can expect a release date later on. (Source: Variety)
While Hiddleston will be busy filming I Saw the Light, that hasn’t stopped him from scheduling stuff afterwards. News came out two days ago that he’ll be involved in the King Kong origin pic Skull Island. Jordan Vogt-Roberts (The Kings of Summer) will direct the movie that’ll apparently come out November 4, 2016. (Source: Deadline)
Back to the musicals we go with news about Ziggy. The 1920s-based film will be directed by Diesel Schwarze and added stars Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and Dane DeHaan (The Amazing Spider-Man 2). The plot seems pretty bizarre – DeHaan will play a humpback that falls in love with Mara’s character – so I’m excited to hear more about the movie. A production and release date will have to wait, though. (Source: IndieWire)
You shouldn’t be shocked to learn of a Vacation reboot (given Hollywood’s obsession with beating a dead horse). In the case of this coveted comedy franchise, at least we can rest easy knowing both Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo will make camoes. The lead roles will go to Ed Helms and the newly-acquired Leslie Mann (who will play Audrey). Screenwriters John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldestein will direct the movie that is still awaiting a release date. (Source: Collider)
Ben Kingsley is next as he joined Brooklyn Bridge this week as well. Additionally, Brie Larson (21 Jump Street) will star alongside Kingsley and Daniel Radcliffe. The movie about the iconic New York bridge could be quite a looker when it comes out in the spring of 2015. Douglas McGrath (His Way) directs this one. (Source: HitFix)
Perhaps the biggest news of the week came out of the Bourne camp. After retiring from the franchise before The Bourne Legacy, Matt Damon is now returning for another movie. This news subsequently pushed back the Jeremy Renner-fronted aspect of the franchise. The good news, though, is that Paul Greengrass will join Damon again as director and they’ll likely take the July 16, 2016 release date away from Renner and director Justin Lin (Fast & Furious). Expect to hear plenty more about co-stars and plot details later. (Source: IGN)
Theo James (Divergent) will be the central focus in the fifth Underworld movie (tentatively titled Underworld: Next Generation). He played a minor character in Underworld: Awakening (out in 2013) but he’s been promoted to the lead as it appears Kate Beckinsale won’t be back. No word yet on director or a specific release date outside of 2015. (Source: THR)
Come back in tomorrow for the latest clips.
Follow me on Twitter @jmacle
