If I had to name the film that’s causing agents the greatest amount of stress about their young, male British clients’ future — I don’t know why I have to name that film, but let’s just go with this for a second — it would be Christopher Nolan‘s Dunkirk, an IMAX-shot World War II actioner that Warner Bros. have given a prime summer spot on their 2017 slate. Although it already may have leads in the form of Mark Rylance, Kenneth Branagh, and Tom Hardy, its large ensemble will primarily consist of unknowns — which is to say, “multiple opportunities for young, male British actors.”
And so Deadline has an update on its casting process, first telling us Jack Lowden (’71) has been eyed for one of two lead roles while Aneurin Barnard (with whom Lowden co-starred in the recent War & Peace miniseries adaptation) is also in talks. Then there’s the curious news from Variety that One Direction rocker Harry Styles will participate in some supporting spot, while newcomer Fionn Whitehead has joined for the second leading part, the details of which are obviously unknown.
Dunkirk will be released on July 21, 2017.
In news that’s somewhat Nolan-related, if only for that terrible fistfight scene in Interstellar, Variety tell us Christoph Waltz and Hong Chau (Inherent Vice) will co-star with Matt Damon and Reese Witherspoon in Downsizing, the next feature from Alexander Payne. A sci-fi tale, it’s set in a future where humans have the ability to downsize themselves, and, in doing so, require far fewer resources. Damon’s down-and-out character decides to do this with his wife so they can make their money go further, but problems arise from the circumstances.
Alec Baldwin, Neil Patrick Harris, and Jason Sudeikis are expected to co-star in Downsizing. Paramount will back the project; shooting begins this spring for a fall 2017 release.
Finally, Variety has also learned that Jake Gyllenhaal will lead Life with Ryan Reynolds and Rebecca Ferguson. Scripted by Rhett Rheese and Paul Wernick (Deadpool, Zombieland) and to be directed by Daniel Espinosa (Safe House, Snabba Cash), it revolves around members of the International Space Station who come across signs of intelligent life in a sample taken from Mars. One can presume that something happens after this. Gyllenhaal will take the role Reynolds was up for, as the Deadpool star slides into a supporting role.