When you’ve given acclaimed performances in In America, Morvern Callar, Control, Synecdoche, New York, and The Messenger — but not given the status of a big star — it’s safe to say you’re an under-appreciated actress. Such is the case with the excellent Samantha Morton, whose impressive career I’m reminded of when reading the news that she’ll star in The Mulo, a supernatural thriller directed by relative unknown Matthew Thompson.

ScreenDaily (via ThePlaylist) tell us of the project, which revolves around “estranged twin sisters named Brady and Bess, who join forces to find Brady’s small child who has been taken away by an evil gypsy curse.” Interestingly, Morton will be playing both roles. When it comes to this film, I’m primarily wondering how they’ll execute this, whether its through simple editing techniques or digital face-mapping, Winklevoss style. But the whole movie has me somewhat interested, thanks in no small part to the actress’ selective decision process for roles; if she chose this, something must be right. Audiences will get more of her next year, with parts in John Carter, Cosmopolis, and Decoding Annie Parker scheduled.

Deadline has further casting news; they report that Entourage‘s Jerry Ferrara will have a role in 7500. The Grudge helmer Takashi Shimizu is directing the film, previously labeled “a claustrophobic thriller set on a transpacific airliner where the passengers encounter what appears to be a supernatural force.” Ferrara is joining the surprisingly strong cast that also includes Ryan Kwanten, Amy Smart, Leslie Bibb, Jamie Chung, Christian Serratos, and Scout Taylor-Compton. More important is that summary, which has me really, really hoping this is just a remake of the classic Twilight Zone episode that starred William Shatner. That, or Snakes on a Plane.

From Variety comes news of Barry Sloane joining Michelle Monaghan and Michael Keaton in Penthouse North, which follows “a blind photojournalist (Monaghan) forced to play a deadly game of cat and mouse with a sadistic criminal (Keaton) who will stop at nothing to retrieve a fortune of stolen diamonds hidden in her penthouse apartment.” This is, hard as I find it to believe, not a remake of the Audrey Hepburn-starring Wait Until Dark — even though they have the same premise.

Sloane, an actor best known for his work on the British TV series Hollyoaks, will play “Chad, Keaton’s partner in crime, who poses as a helpful stranger in order to get a crucial piece of information, [but whose life is] endangered when he fails to get what he needs and is forced to call his sadistic boss for help.” Sleeping with the Enemy‘s Joseph Ruben will direct the screenplay by David Loughery. Production kicks off on December 7th, so we could expect this one to open in late 2012.

Are you enthusiastic about any of this casting?