Casting Bits: Clint Eastwood Wants Leonardo DiCaprio For ‘A Star Is Born’, Haley Joel Osment Will ‘Wake The Dead’, Jamie Chung Nabs Indie Drama ‘Eden’
Clint EastwoodcastBeyonce Knowlesas the female lead in hisA Star is Bornremake some time ago, but he’s been searching for someone to take on the male lead. Now it’s being reported that his top choice for the part isLeonardo DiCaprio, who worked with Eastwood on the biopicJ. Edgar. DiCaprio is just the latest of several candidates who have been named for the part over the past couple of years — Russell Crowe, Gerard Butler, and Will Smith are among the actors once rumored for or attached to the film. DiCaprio would presumably be playing the role of Norman Maine, a fading star with a drinking problem who helps to launch the young starlet’s (Knowles) career.
DiCaprio isn’t the first actor I would’ve thought of for the part, but I’m all the more intrigued for it. We already know DiCaprio can do gloomy and brooding, but how often have we seen him do gloomy and brooding while surrounded by singing and dancing?
Eastwood’sA Star is Bornis scheduled for a 2012 release. DiCaprio and Eastwood’s next collaboration,J. Edgar, will open later this year. [Deadline]
After the jump, theSixth Sensekid is now old enough to play college students, and Jamie Chung signs up for a gritty indie.
Jay Russellis attached to direct the picture, whileMichael Williams,Rob Eric, andSlashof Guns ‘n’ Roses fame (seriously) are set to produce through Slasher Films. [Showblitz]Jamie Chung, best known for her work in movies likeGrown Ups,Sucker Punch, andThe Hangover Part IIlooks to be broadening her horizons with a series of more serious-minded roles. The actor is currently at work on the indieKnife Fight, opposite Rob Lowe, and will next appear in the thrillerPremium Rushand RZA’sMan with the Iron Fist.
Her next upcoming project, which she’s just recently lined up, will be the grittie indieEden. Based on a true story, the drama will revolve around a young Korean-American woman who is kidnapped and forced into prostitution. During the two years of her captivity, she begins gaining power and influence within the very structure that has imprisoned her. (The plot description doesn’tnotsound likeSucker Punch, although I’d guess the two films don’t have much else in common.)Megan Griffiths(The Off Hours) will direct from a script by Griffiths andRichard B. Phillips.
Also in negotiations for the project isScoot McNairy, who will appear inCogan’s Tradeopposite Brad Pitt. I’m assuming Chung will be playing the lead role, but there’s no word yet on who McNairy may be playing. [The Hollywood Reporter]
