Up to now, the casting on Disney’s Tomorrowland has been some low-level business — outside of, admittedly, the world’s second- or third-most famous man (that would be George Clooney), the list of more recognizable players come down to Hugh Laurie and… well, no, that’s about it. For a big-budget production already eyed as the studio’s Christmas 2014 tentpole, the star power is essentially resting on the shoulders of one man.
Then again, when it’s only in a better world that Judy Greer would be a star, we can split the existing difference and reap those benefits of talent. According to Deadline, the actress will make her third collaboration with Clooney — following Three Kings and, more recently, The Descendants — on the Brad Bird-directed, Damon Lindelof-scripted sci-fi adventure of which we know so little, including salient details on her character. A months-old report breaks down a bit of the plotting — notices of “a teenage girl (Britt Robertson), a genius middle-aged man (Clooney) and a pre-pubescent girl robot (Raffey Cassidy)” manage to intrigue — though this is, perhaps, best-saved for the experience coming in 16 months. And why not? With its fine cast, intriguing premise, and more-than-trustworthy helmer, Tomorrowland sounds like a rare blockbuster that could pay off handsomely.
Expect to see a release on December 19, 2014.
Update: Deadline also inform us that Milla Jovovich will take part in Cymbeline, playing the scheming Queen to Harris’ controlling King. The original story can be read below.
Deadline have additional casting news, wherein it is told that Penn Badgley (Greetings from Tim Buckley, Gossip Girl) has made for the latest addition to Cymbeline, an new Shakespeare adaptation from Hamlet writer-director Michael Almereyda. Following in the footsteps of Ethan Hawke and Ed Harris, the young star has landed a role central to events of The Bard’s original text. Transplanted to the modern-day NYC setting, Badgley will be seen as Posthumus, an orphan boy who marries Imogen, daughter of King Cymbeline (Harris). Once discovered, Posthumus is banished from Cymbeline’s monarch, and war soon commences — in the new version, by way of an “epic battle between dirty cops and a drug-dealing biker gang.” With his addition, the picture of warring factions becomes clearer and, to this project’s credit, more enticing.
Benaroya Pictures are to finance, while Keep Your Head Productions will provide their own backing. Shooting is slated to commence in less than two weeks’ time.
Is Greer a confidence-booster for the Disney project? What do you think Badgley can bring to Cymbeline?