Principal Casting for Showtime’s ‘Homeland’ Now Complete

The piecemeal process of casting the principals in Showtime’s new series Homeland is now complete.

On Monday, actor Diego Klattenhoff (Mercy, Men in Trees) became the latest confirmed talent to join the series, which has been among the most talked-about pilot projects of any premium cable network in recent months.

According to a report Monday in The Hollywood Reporter, Klattenhoff has been tapped to play Mike Faber, a Marine colonel and the best friend of Scott Brody, who will be played by Damian Lewis, a British actor best known in the U.S. for his work on NBC’s drama Life and HBO’s Emmy-winning World War II mini-series Band of Brothers.

Homeland centers around an American POW who returns after years of incarceration in Iraq. Mandy Patinkin, who has been largely missing in action  in the world of television since leaving Criminal Minds on CBS in 2007, will star in Homeland opposite Claire Danes. Patinkin will play a CIA chief who sends an agent (Danes) to investigate the returning soldier (Lewis) – who is under suspicion for terrorist collusion.

“It’s a great psychological study like all the best Showtime shows,” said David Nevins, the president of entertainment at Showtime who is believed to have closely overseen the conceptual development of the project. “But it actually is much more than that in the fact that it’s a psychological thriller with a real ticking clock and real edge-of-your seat elements.”

Since casting news about Homeland began to leak in the first week of December, Showtime’s drama pilot has generated substantial buzz. Sporting an impressive cast and crew of veteran television actors and producers, Homeland has been described as Showtime’s attempt to launch a 24-like crime thriller. Homeland, after all, is being executive produced by Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa, formerly of Fox’s hit terrorism drama 24. Ironically, Klattenhoff – the latest talent confirmed for Homeland – even had a small part in the 2009 season of 24.

The series – planted firmly in the “terrorism drama” genre – is scheduled to begin shooting next week in Charlotte, North Carolina. If picked up for a full season, expect Homeland to debut on Showtime in  the fall of 2011.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

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New ‘J. Edgar’ Title for Eastwood’s Hoover Biopic; Casting Rumors

Armie Hammer pulled off a tricky double-act when he played the Winklevoss twins in David Fincher’s The Social Network. He may follow that performance by taking on a role in another real-life project from a high-profile filmmaker – namely, Clint Eastwood’s J. Edgar Hoover biopic.

Hoover has been officially retitled J. Edgar and will star Leonardo DiCaprio as the controversial FBI founder. The well-respected leading man could be joined by both Hammer and Oscar-winner Charlize Theron, who is in talks to play Hoover’s longtime secretary.

EW has the scoop on the title change and the news that Hammer is in negotiations to play Clyde Tolson, a lawyer-turned FBI official – and loyal confidante to Hoover himself. Tolson has historically been rumored as having also been Hoover’s secret lover, an issue which will surely be addressed in Eastwood’s biopic – though, as the director himself put it, “[Hoover] was a very complex person. The [closet] homosexual aspect is just one of many. I would say that’s the least of his problems.”

Word of Theron joining J. Edgar comes from Vulture, who is reporting that the actress is up for the part of Justice Department file clerk Helen Gandy, a woman that ended up working for Hoover for over 54 years. Oscar-winner Dustin Lance Black’s screenplay will likely pick up several years after Gandy and Hoover first met, since the former was 21 when the FBI head hired her, and (as lovely as they both are) neither DiCaprio nor Theron look like people in their early 20s any more.

DiCaprio will play Hoover in Eastwood's 'J. Edgar'.

Hoover was a fascinating individual who developed quite the intimidating reputation over the course of running the FBI for half a century (there’s a reason Bill Murray makes a crack about him destroying New York in the original Ghostbusters). Few would argue that DiCaprio won’t make for a more handsome Hoover than his real-life counterpart, but the actor should also be able to communicate the complex, and conflicted, nature of a man who will likely always remain a bit of a mystery.

Black crafted a solid script for Gus Van Sant’s acclaimed Harvey Milk biopic that examined a variety of aspects in the fellow’s personal life – while addressing his influence and behavior as a public figure. He’ll likely take a similar approach in his J. Edgar screenplay as well.

Filming on J. Edgar is scheduled to begin in early 2011 and the film could potentially arrive in theaters by the end of next year.

Source: EW, Vulture

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‘True Blood’ Season 4 Casting Update: A Witch, Cage Fighter, & Shapeshifter

With one week before production begins on True Blood season 4, actresses Janina Gavankar, Alexandra Breckenridge and Vedette Lim have joined the familiar Bon Temps family.

Additionally, Jessica Tuck, who plays American Vampire League spokeswoman Nans Flanagan, has been bumped up to a series regular for this season. Although, no information has been provided as to what Tuck’s newly boosted role will entail.

Kicking off the flurry of new casting for the HBO hit series is former star of The L Word Janina Gavankar. Gavankar will play Luna, an extremely attractive school teacher who also happens to be a shapeshifter. The character of Luna will first maker her appearance at an informal gathering of shapeshifters. No word yet on whether or not Sam will also be in attendance. Although, after where we left him in the season 3 finale, I wouldn’t be surprised.

Alexandra Breckenridge, who is best known for her roles on FX’s Dirt and the struggling CW series Life Unexpected, will play the character of Daisy. While not much is revealed about her character, we know that she will be an integral member of a Wicca group that was founded by Marnie. As we previously reported, Marnie will be played by Harry Potter alum Fiona Shaw and is described as a depressed and incompetent local medium/palm reader who becomes possessed by the spirit of a powerful witch.

Rounding out the new character additions is former As The World Turns actress Vedette Lim, who will play the fierce cage fighter Naomi. Like Sam’s younger brother Tommy, Naomi participates in underground fights for money. Although, unlike Tommy, she won’t have to turn into a dog before each match.

While the addition of new cast members to a series can provide some refreshing stories and intriguing character interactions, one has to worry when it comes to True Blood. Out of all three seasons, last year’s was easily the worst. Something that many chalk up to having too many story-arcs occurring simultaneously, which resulted in many characters and story lines having to share the same 52 minute episode.

On top of that, one can’t forget the conclusion-less season 3 finale. When True Blood returns for season 4, they’ll not only have to somehow wrap up all the lingering storylines, but also introduce these new characters. Unfortunately, many have felt that True Blood is barely keeping its proverbial head above the water as it is – in terms of delivering a satisfying story with fully realized characters.

If the past has shown us anything, it’s that Alan Ball and company already had a hard enough time juggling the large cast that they put together for season 3. Could the addition of these three characters (on top of the four already announced) serve to overwhelm the already struggling storylines and inevitably sink this juggernaut series?

If it does, there’s always the True Blood movie to look forward to.

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True Blood season 4 will premiere June, 2011, on HBO

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Source: Deadline

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‘Ghostbusters 3′ Casting Call; Is Anna Faris Onboard?

Ghostbusters 3 has shown rejuvenated signs of life over the past few months, and now the project – which has been in some form of development for around two decades now – may actually be moving forward.

Sony Pictures has reportedly sent out a casting call to Los Angeles and Chicago actors for the third Ghostbusters, which apparently could begin production by May 2011.

Here’s the unofficial description of The Office writers Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky’s screenplay for Ghostbusters 3 (via Feature Film Auditions):

A ragtag group of paranormal researchers reopen their notorious ghost removal service, and a new generation of Ghostbusters is brought on board to be green slimed and trained to contain the mischievous spirits.

The Ghostbusters 3 script has apparently been fine-tuned and “handed over to Dan Aykroyd,” which seems to fit with the news that, despite his recent comments to the contrary, the screenplay is NOT being actually rewritten by the comedic actor after all.

While franchise stars Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Bill Murray, Ernie Hudson, and Signourney Weaver are all listed as members of the Ghostbusters 3 cast, actress Anna Faris (the Scary Movie series) is is listed as a star of the flick as well. There’s no information about her role in the pic, but, assuming that this IS legitimate (and, considering the project’s history, it’s impossible not to be skeptical), we should find out more about her part in the near future.

Will Anna Faris appear in 'Ghostbusters 3'?

Ivan Reitman is listed as being back in the director’s chair for the Ghostbuster’s third outing, which we can only hope will be a return to form for the Oscar-nominated filmmaker, who has been at the helm of only three films over the past decade, including the so-so comedy Evolution; the painfully unfunny My Super Ex-Girlfriend; and next January’s rom-com, No Strings Attached.

The “passing the torch to a new generation” storyline of Ghostbusters 3 seems like a risky proposition, given what a pivotal role the onscreen chemistry between Aykroyd, Ramis, and Murray played in the success of Ghostbusters. It’s difficult to envision a whole new crew of comedic talents being brought in for a third film and being able to recapture the sly humor of the original. Plus, is there anyone out there who’s mastered the art of deadpan like Murray?

Sony Pictures is aiming to release Ghostbusters 3 in theaters by Christmas 2012. Do you think they’ll actually keep to that date this time around?

Source: Sony Pictures (via Feature Film Auditions)

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