Although his small-scale Much Ado About Nothing hits theaters today, Joss Whedon has The Avengers on the mind. Gearing up for a shoot around the turn of the year, we can expect pretty much all of the original cast to return for the sequel, but now The Wrap has a likely new addition. According to the trade, Kick-Ass and upcoming Godzilla star Aaron Johnson is looking at becoming a hero again in another comic book sequel, specifically in the role of Quicksilver, son of Magneto (a character that’ll also be in Bryan Singer‘s new X-Men). There’s no confirmation on his official casting yet, but he’d be joining his twin sister Scarlet Witch as another new character if talks go through.
In other casting news, Deadline reports that WB has picked up a Rasputin biopic with Leonardo DiCaprio in mind to play the lead. Scripted by the much sought-after scribe Jason Hall, responsible for Steven Spielberg‘s upcoming American Sniper, this project would follow the Russian mystic who advises Russia’s Imperial family the Romanovs. The character is one who goes somewhat mad as he beds many women, something right up DiCaprio’s alley.
Moving to an adaptation of Roald Dahl‘s praised illustrated children’s story Esio Trot, Showbiz 411 has news on our potential cast. According the site Dustin Hoffman and Judi Dench have booked roles in the neighborly love story, which is set to be directed by Little Dorrit‘s Dearbhla Walsh. Lastly, Deadline is reporting that Reese Witherspoon and Sophia Vergara are looking to make a new comedy titled Don’t Mess With Texas over at Universal. Fast-tracked for a March 2014 release, it follows a cop and prisoner being chased by corrupt cops in Texas.
What do you think of Johnson as Quicksilver? DiCaprio as Rasputin?