Welcome to Rumorville! Here you can learn about casting news that’s about to break in Hollywood. These speculations might be only rumors, but that doesn’t mean you can’t follow the trail all the way to the audition room.
“The Forgiven”
First reported by Variety, “It: Chapter Two” star Jessica Chastain is in negotiations to join Ralph Fiennes and Caleb Landry Jones in the film adaptation of “The Forgiven.” Based on the novel by Lawrence Osborne and directed by John Michael McDonagh, the story follows the impact of a tragic accident in the lives of an English couple attending a party at a luxurious desert villa in Morocco. Chastain and Fiennes would play a married couple in the film; the two have previously starred together back in 2011’s “Coriolanus.” Saïd Taghmaoui and Mark Strong complete the cast. Production is slated to begin early next year in Morocco. Jina Jay is the casting director.
“Planet of the Apes”
According to Deadline, 20th Century Fox and Disney have put into development a new “Planet of the Apes” movie, helmed by “Maze Runner” filmmaker Wes Ball. The project is very early in the works and it is not yet certain if it will pick up where Matt Reeves’ “War of the Planet of the Apes” left off, or if it’s a complete remake. If the studios plan to pick up where the franchise left off, look to CD Debra Zane to continue her work. (You can read about how she cast actors as apes in the franchise here at Backstage.) Otherwise, Denise Chamian was the CD for the “Maze Runner” trilogy and could be Ball’s top choice.
“Silent Witness” and “This Country”
A pair of U.K. hits may soon be remade for U.S. audiences. Fox has put into development remakes of the crime drama “Silent Witness” and the off-beat comedy “This Country.” Melissa Leo will executive produce the former with the intent to star. The networks have also given a pilot commitment to “This Country” from Jenny Bicks and Paul Feig. The developments are the latest in a partnership between Lionsgate and the BBC, who agreed to co-develop and co-fund scripted series for the U.S. market late last year. Both projects are in different stages of development but with serious commitment. A pilot commitment for an adaptation of Channel 4’s “Home” and a CBS remake of BBC’s “Ghosts” have come out of the deal already, so you can probably expect both new projects to get off the ground soon.
“When I Was You”
Also in development, Focus Features is working with Will Packer Productions on the female-driven thriller “When I Was You.” Based on a novel by Amber Garza, the story centers on a woman named Kelly Medina who becomes obsessed with another Kelly Medina, a single mother half her age who lives in her same town, has a baby boy, and has her whole life ahead of her. When they become friends, she finds a renewed sense of purpose in taking care of the young woman and her baby. As reported by Variety, Will Packer and James Lopez will produce the movie under their banner that has included films such as “Girls Trip,” “Little,” and more. Production, casting, and further plot details have yet to be announced. That being said, Mary Vernieu and Michelle Wade Byrd are recurring collaborators at Will Packer Productions.
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