With Santa Claus just hours away from leaving presents under the tree around the world, a handful of actors and actresses got some gifts early from their agents in Hollywood…
Jessica Lange will take a break from freaking people on “American Horror Story” to take a role in “The Gambler” starring Mark Wahlberg, the remake of Karel Reisz‘s 1974 drama. Rupert Wyatt will direct the film about “a college professor whose gambling addiction takes over his life even after his debts lead to some nasty new friends.” Lange will play Wahlberg’s rich mom, with Brie Larson also on board in a co-starring role, with a script penned by William Monahan. [Deadline]
There’s always room for one more. Already boasting a huge ensemble that includes Juliette Binoche, James Brolin, Oscar Nunez, Antonio Banderas, Kate Del Castillo, Lou Diamond Phillips, Mario Casas, Juan Pablo Raba, Tenoch Huerta, Jacob Vargas, Marco Trevino and Alejandro Goic, Chilean miner disaster drama “The 33” has added Rodrigo Santoro to the cast. The film will tell the true story of “the collapse of the Copiapó gold and copper mine and the subsequent emotional retrieval and triumphant rescue of all 33 miners after 69 days trapped underground in 2010.” The actor will play the Chilean Minister Of Mining in the film set to directed by Patricia Riggen. [Variety]
Alicia Vikander will consider the tragedy of war in “Testament Of Youth,” replacing the previously cast Saoirse Ronan. Based on the memoir by Vera Brittain, the story “is about the generation—including Brittain’s brother, fiancé and other close friends—who lost their lives during the Great War.” James Kent (“Marchlands,” “The White Queen“) will direct the movie next spring in time for release for 100th anniversary of the start of WWI. But if you need your fix of this tale earlier than that, you can watch the 1970s mini-series adaptation right here. [Daily Mail]
Helena Bonham Carter and Anne-Marie Duff have joined Carey Mulligan in “Suffragette.” The tale will follow “the foot soldiers of the early feminist movement: women who were forced underground in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with an increasingly brutal State.” Sarah Gavron (“Brick Lane“) directs. [Variety/Daily Mail]
“Night At The Museum 3” is happening, and if you’re worried about narrative continuity, never fear, as Ricky Gervais will be back play Dr. McPhee. Phew! [Deadline]
“Girls” star Zosia Mamet and rising Thomas Mann have joined the cast of “Outliving Emily.” The indie written and directed by Eric Weber follows “the tumultuous marriage of a couple, Tim and Emily Hanratty, over half a century.” Olympia Dukakis, Louis Zorich, Jeremy Jordan, Adam Rose and Luke Brandon Field round out the cast. [Variety]
Karel Reisz directed the 1974 "The Gambler", while Toback was the screenwriter.