We hope you’re fully rested after the long Labor Day weekend because we’re flying headlong into TIFF with more reviews and coverage to come. But first, a bit of catchup on some casting you might have missed over the past few days as you savored the last long weekend of summer.
Kurt Russell is the latest fuel-injected addition to “Fast & Furious 7.” The man who escaped from both New York and Los Angeles, and was “Death Proof” for Quentin Tarantino has nabbed a role that was originally offered to Denzel Washington, though there are no details as to what that part will be. In fact, pretty much everything is being kept under wraps about this sequel which will apparently be set in Los Angeles. James Wan is at the helm of this one which brings back Vin Diesel and the franchise regulars alongside new faces like Jason Statham, Tony Jaa and Ronda Rousey. [Variety]
Featuring less kicks, punches and explosions, but no doubt revving with equal amounts of drama is “Yves Saint Laurent,” the biopic of the famed fashion designer. With one project on the go already from The Weinstein Company, and in post-production, that isn’t stopping Bertrand Bonello (“House Of Tolerance“) from launching his own movie, with Gaspard Ulliel in the title role. Joining him is Ukrainian beauty Olga Kurylenko, though her part isn’t known just yet. She joins a pretty decent Euro cast which includes Jérémie Renier (“The Kid With The Bike,” “Summer Hours“) and Léa Seydoux (“Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol,” “Blue Is The Warmest Color“). Production starts in October. [Screen Daily]
Mike Birbiglia, the man behind last year’s underrated “Sleepwalk With Me,” has come aboard “The Fault In Our Stars.” Based on John Green’s book “The Fault in Our Stars,” and adapted by “(500) Days of Summer” and “The Spectacular Now” (also starring Woodley) writers Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, the story follows Gus and Hazel, two teens stricken with terminal cancer who fall in love. Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort are in the lead roles, with Birbiglia playing the head of a cancer support group. Filming is underway with Josh Boone directing. [Huffington Post]
The legendary, Oscar nominated Kathleen Turner doesn’t work routinely these days, which makes you wonder what it is about the “Dumb & Dumber” sequel that is so enticing. That’s right, the actress will star in “Dumb & Dumber To” (ha ha, because stupid) alongside Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels. Don’t ask about her character or the plot because it’s all being kept under wraps (though it’s been widely leaked that it will be road trip movie with Harry searching for his illegitimate daughter). Production begins soon. [Variety]
Richard Gere is reteaming with producers behind his solid high finance drama “Arbitrage” for “Franny.” Developed via the Sundance Screenwriters Lab, this effort comes from writer/director Andrew Renzi and will find Gere playing “a hedonistic philanthropist who ingratiates himself into the lives of a newlywed couple in order to re-create the life he once had.” We smell potential…production begins this month. [Deadline]
So Olga Kurylenko has worked with Terrence Malick, and now Bertrand Bonello. That's very impressive! She's a better actress with directors who have strong visions anyway, so that's a great news.