Casting Bits: Michael K. Williams May Still Appear In ‘Django Unchained’, Charlize Theron In Talks For ‘Cities Of Refuge’, Leven Rambin Lands ‘Mavericks’, Paula Patton Joins ‘Disconnect’
Michael K. Williamsmay have missed out on the lead role ofDjango Unchained, but it seems there may still be room for him to appear in a different capacity. In an interview withShadow & Act(viaThe Playlist), theThe Wireactor confirmed that he had just barely lost the lead role toJamie Foxx, but that directorQuentin Tarantino(or “QT, as I call him”) liked Williams enough to consider creating a new role just for him. “It’s not official yet but there’s a lot of talk that there may be a role coming back ‘round my way,'” he told the site. “His people and my people have been in discussions in regards to a role that he is creating for me.“The Playlistpoints out that the only major black role still uncast is that of Bartholemew, but that the hulking, silent bodyguard probably wouldn’t be an ideal fit for Williams. However, it’s possible that the character could be rewritten to better suit Williams, or that Tarantino will add a new character altogether.
After the jump, new gigs for Charlize Theron, Paula Patton, and Leven Rambin.
Details on the project are frustratingly scarce, but what’s intriguing is that Willer is apparently such a Hollywood newbie that he doesn’t even have an IMDb page. It appears he’s made at least one film throughKickstarterfunding, but ifCities of Refugegets off the ground it could be a big break for Willer — so way to go, guy! For what it’s worth, Willer lists Jean-Luc Godard, Francois Truffaut, and Eric Rohmer as his major influences. [Deadline]
FormerAll My Childrenactress and futureHunger Gamesco-starLeven Rambinhas signed on forMavericks, a surfing picture based on the real-life tale of sport starJay Moriarty. Leven will play the best friend and love interest of Moriarty, who will be played byJonny Weston.Gerard Butleris also attached to star, in the role of Moriarty’s mentor Rick “Frosty” Hesson.8 MilehelmerCurtis Hansonwill direct from a script byKario SalemandBrandon Hooper.
Gutsy young surfer Moriarty rose to the forefront of big wave surfing by riding the massive, sometimes deadly NorCal break known as Mavericks. However, his career was tragically cut short when he perished in a diving accident at the age of 22. [Variety]
The pieces are falling into place forDisconnect, the narrative feature debut ofMurderballdirectorHenry Alex Rubin.Alexander Skarsgård,Colin Ford,Michael Nyqvist,Andrea Riseborough, andJason Batemanrecently boarded the indie ensemble drama, which seeks to explore the ways modern communication affects and destroys. Patton’s role has not been revealed, but torefresh your memory, here’s what everyone else will be doing:
Patton will next appear inMission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, due out this December. [Deadline]
