Comments Off on Casting Net: Kate Winslet, Emma Stone, Olivia Colman in talks for The Favourite
Kate Winslet, Emma Stone, and Olivia Colman are in talks to star in The Favourite, a historical drama about Britain’s Queen Anne that’s being directed by Yorgos Lanthimos (The Lobster). Colman would play the queen; Winslet would play her confidant Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough; and Stone would play Abigail Masham, the duchess’ upstart cousin. Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara wrote the script. Filming is scheduled to start in the spring. [Deadline]
The Book of Henry has booked Sarah Silverman, Lee Pace, and Dean Norris. Colin Trevorrow (Jurassic World, Star Wars: Episode IX) is directing the movie from an original script by Gregg Hurwitz, but plot details have yet to be revealed. Naomi Watts and Jacob Tremblay will headline the Focus Features film. [The Wrap]
Billy Eichner is taking up residence in Neighbors 2, the sequel to Universal’s raunchy comedy about two young parents feuding with frat boys. He joins returning stars Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, and Rose Byrne, as well as newcomer Chloe Grace Moretz. Nicholas Stoller will be back to direct, from a script by Rogen, Andrew Jay Cohen, Brendan O’Brien, and Evan Goldberg. Shooting is underway. [The Hollywood Reporter]
Rachel Weisz is in early talks to star in My Cousin Rachel, Fox Searchlight’s remake of the 1952 film noir that starred Olivia de Havilland and Richard Burton. Roger Michell is directing and adapting the screenplay, based on the Daphne Du Maurier novel about an orphan who suspects a beautiful woman of killing his cousin. [Variety]
The Conjuring 2 has summoned Australian actress Lauren Esposito, who joins returning stars Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson in the horror franchise about paranormal investigators. James Wan is back to direct, and Warner Bros. will release the film next summer. [Deadline]
Woody Harrelson and Kyra Sedgwick are boarding an untitled coming-of-age comedy from STX Entertainment. They’ll appear opposite Hailee Steinfeld in the story of two high-school best friends whose relationship sours. Harrison is to play a teacher, and Sedgwick is to play Steinfeld’s mom. Kelly Fremon wrote the script and is set to make her directing debut. [The Hollywood Reporter]
The old school combines with the new school in the YA adaptation Measure of a Man, which has added Donald Sutherland and The Maze Runner’s Blake Cooper. Jim Loach directs from David Scearce’s script, based on 2004’s One Fat Summer, the award-winning children’s book from Robert Lipsyte. Cooper plays the lead kid in the ’70s coming-of-age tale, seeking a job and a self-confidence boost. Sutherland gives him his first gig. Lensing has already begun in Rhode Island. [Deadline]
