Casting Bits: Ruth Wilson In ‘The Lone Ranger’, B.J. Novak In ‘The Dictator’, Peter Mullan In ‘Man Inside’
Ruth Wilsonwill be breaking into the boys' club as the female lead ofGore Verbinski’sThe Lone Ranger, starringArmie Hammeras the Texas ranger andJohnny Deppas his sidekick Tonto. Although Wilson’s name may be unfamiliar to most Americans, she’s known in the UK for her work on the BBC’sLutherand the Masterpiece Theatre miniseriesJane Eyre. Wilson was selected overJessica ChastainandAbbie Cornish, who were also being considered for the part, and is currently in negotiations. Very few details have been revealed about her character, named Rebecca.
Unlike the earlier versions of the property, Verbinski’sLone Rangerwill be told from Tonto’s perspective — “Don Quixotetold from Sancho Panza’s point of view,” as Verbinski hasdescribedit. The film will hit theatersDecember 21. [Deadline]
After the jump, B.J. Novak joinsThe Dictatoropposite Sacha Baron Cohen a.k.a. Borat, and Peter Mullan takes on an action thriller.
a ruthless dictator who heads to the U.S. for a meeting at the United Nations and finds that his number two has replaced him with an unsuspecting sheepherder lookalike. As the dictator wanders the city, he meets the owner of an organic food store… She turns around his dictatorial thinking, and there’s a little romance in it as well.
Ben Kingsley,Jason Mantzoukas,Anna Faris,J.B. Smoove,Megan Fox, andJohn C. Reillyare also set to star in the film, which opens July 13, 2025. Novak’s role has not been announced at this time. [The Playlist]Peter Mullan(Boy A,Neds) will lead the cast ofThe Man Inside, an action thriller witten and directed byDan Turnerthat doesnot, unfortunately, have any relation toTobias Funke’sThe Man Inside Me.Michelle Ryanand hip-hop artistAshley “Bashy” Thomasare also set to join.
The story centers around a young boxer struggling with the demons of his past, including a “brutal gangster father” and his “violent upbringing.“The Man Insidewill begin shooting in Newcastle this week. [Variety]
