The two lead roles in Alex Proyas‘ Paradise Lost have been set for Bradley Cooper (who’s playing Lucifer) and Benjamin Walker (who’s playing Michael), but another major part has been cast. ShowBlitz says that Djimon Hounsou is boarding the film, in the part of the angel of death, Abdiel.

In John Milton‘s original poem, Abdiel went to tell God of Lucifer’s actions, and he also participated in the final battle, where he did some smiting. Perhaps most importantly, some have speculated that the character serves as an autobiographical piece of work on the author’s part; anyone think Proyas will do the same? (That’s just a joke.) Hounsou is a strong, intense actor, and I think that he’ll fit this part rather convincingly. Plus, it should help break the bad streak he’s had lately, which included things like Never Back Down and Push — this has to be better than those. Shooting on the movie is expected to begin around the end of this year, but the extensive post-production work required of the project means that we won’t be seeing it until late 2013.

There’s also been a new addition to Magic Mike, the upcoming Steven Soderbergh film that stars Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Matthew McConaughey, Joe Manganiello, Matt Bomer, and Riley Keough. Our newest addition, as ThePlaylist says, is Cody Horn, who is taking the role of Paige, the sister to Pettyfer and lover of Tatum. She reportedly won the part over some bigger actresses, something that certainly serves as a good sign for her. Remember that she’s only starting out, with one of her first film roles being in David Ayer‘s upcoming End of Watch.

Only one more female part is said to be in need of an actor, and the main cast will then be locked down; I’m guessing that’s for the role turned down by Jessica Biel. It’s exciting to me, since watching the lineup of thespians grow over the past week or so has been rather interesting. The Reid Carolin-scripted movie will begin shooting in Florida in a month, and is set to hit theaters in 2012.

Another film has just landed an actress in a big part, this one being Ron Howard‘s Rush. If you don’t remember, it’s a film about Formula One racer James Hunt’s rivalry with fellow drive Niki Lauda during the 1976 season, and how the both of them put their lives at risk for their profession. Variety says that Alexandra Maria Lara is the first female to join the movie, but details on who she’s playing in the movie are slim, other than the fact that Lara is the female lead. She hasn’t really had a big break as an actress just yet, but her filmography has some strong material in it, most notably Control, Downfall, and Youth Without Youth. Rush might be her most prolific project yet, where she’ll be starring alongside Chris Hemsworth as Hunt and Daniel Brühl as Lauda.

Peter Morgan wrote the film, which reunites him with Frost/Nixon director Howard. Production is slated to begin before the end of the year, and a release is planned for 2012.

What do you think of this casting? Are you excited for any of these movies?