Although production is already underway in Beijing – with some concept footage revealed – Keanu Reeves‘ directorial debut just got an added dose of awesome. While he won’t have a major role, Reeves has added Indonesian actor Iko Uwais, who recently destroyed many bones in The Raid, to a third act scene in his Man of Tai Chi. [Variety]

The actor will fight our main character, a young martial artist played by Tiger Chen, as he also teams with the antagonist of the film, Reeves himself. Karen Mok also rounds out the main cast as our femme fatale in the film. It’s only a matter of time before the talent behind The Raid broke out in a major way and Uwais delivered some supremely convincing fightwork, so it’s with great excitement I await his next action showcase.

In other casting news, this time for a very different film, Variety reports that Bradley Whitford - perhaps best known for his Billy Madison antagonist role, but recently delighting in The Cabin in the Woods – has joined Disney’s Walt Disney film Saving Mr. Banks. The Blind Side director John Lee Hancock is helming the project the follows Walt Disney‘s fourteen-year quest to adapt P.L. Travers‘ Mary Poppins, and how the author was particularly difficult to pin down.

Whitford will play co-author of the film inside the film, Don DaGradi, and convey this long road to seeing his work finally hit the big screen. He’ll be joined by Colin Farrell, who portrays the father of Travers (Emma Thompson), while Tom Hanks plays Walt Disney himself. A fine character actor, Whitford is another strong addition to this ensemble. While I’m curious about Hancock’s skill behind the camera, this acting talent should warrant enough anticipation.

What do you think about The Raid star’s next film? And the ever-growing cast of Mr. Banks?