David Strathairn

David Strathairn Cast as William Seward in Steven Spielberg’s LINCOLN

by Jason Barr    Posted: June 27th, 2011 at 3:55 pm

Oscar-nominee David Strathairn (Good Night, and Good Luck.) has been cast in the Steven Spielberg-directed Abraham Lincoln biopic, Lincoln. Straithairn will make a turn as Lincoln’s Secretary of State, William Seward, in the film which is scheduled to begin filming this fall in Virginia in time for a fourth quarter 2012 (a.k.a. “Oscar season”) theatrical release. The actor joins a cast that already includes Daniel Day-Lewis in the title role and Sally Field as Mary Todd Lincoln. Spielberg had this to say of Strathairn’s casting:

“Throughout his career, David Strathairn has consistently delivered  performances of strength and character. That’s why I am so pleased that he will portray the Secretary of State, who became such a dominant figure in Lincoln’s ‘team of rivals’ cabinet.”

For those unaware, Lincoln is written by Oscar-nominee Tony Kushner (Munich) and is based on the Doris Kearns Goodwin book, Team of Rivals. Last month, we reported that Tommy Lee Jones, Joseph Gordon Levitt, James Spader, John Hawkes and several others were in serious talks to join the pic as well. As for Strathairn, he can next be seen alongside Rachel Weisz in the drama The Whistleblower which hits U.S. theaters on August 5th. Hit the jump to check out a synopsis of Goodwin’s book.

Trailer for THE WHISTLEBLOWER Starring Rachel Weisz

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: May 27th, 2011 at 8:47 am

The US trailer for The Whistleblower has gone online.  Based on real events, Rachel Weisz stars as a UN peacekeeper in post-war Bosnia who uncovers rampant corruption and a massive cover-up of criminal activity.  The film played the festival circuit last year to positive notices and I’m glad I’ll finally get a chance to see it in the near future.  In addition to Weisz, the impressive cast features David Strathairn, Monica Bellucci, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jason Isaacs, and Vanessa Redgrave.

Hit the jump to check out the trailer.  The Whistleblower opens August 5th.

David Strathairn, Molly Parker, Parker Posey, Rodrigo Santoro, Tony Shalhoub, Lars Ulrich, and More Join HEMINGWAY & GELLHORN

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: March 10th, 2011 at 8:56 pm

David Strathairn, Molly Parker, Parker Posey, Rodrigo Santoro, Tony Shalhoub, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich, Santiago Cabrera, Saverio Guerra, Peter Coyote, and Diane Baker have joined the cast of Hemingway & Gellhorn.  The HBO film tells the story of Ernest Hemingway (played by Clive Owen) and Martha Gellhorn (Nicole Kidman), two literary minds who challenged each other throughout a “tumultuous romance and subsequent five-year marriage.” (Gellhorn reportedly inspired one of Hemingway’s most acclaimed novels, For Whom the Bell Tolls.)  Philip Kaufman (Quills) is set to direct; James Gandolfini will executive produce.

Hit the jump for the character breakdown.

HOWL Blu-ray Review

by Harrison Pierce    Posted: January 24th, 2011 at 10:43 am

James Franco, 2010’s most oddly ubiquitous entertainer, played two real life figures onscreen last year: poet Allen Ginsberg and survivalist Aron Ralston. While Ginsberg is presumably still the better known name, far more moviegoers checked out 127 Hours than Howl, the little seen biography about the Beat founding father from acclaimed documentary filmmakers Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman. Although Howl marks the duo’s narrative film debut, they break from traditional biopic form by utilizing a unique mix of documentary-style interviews, Hollywood-style courtroom dramatics and animated sequences to depict the inspiration behind, creation of and aftermath of Ginsberg’s most famous poem, “Howl.” While pretty boy Franco is a somewhat odd choice to play the less-than-beautiful, but never less-than-charismatic Ginsberg, the actor adeptly portrays the poet’s repressed romantic yearnings, heartbreak over friend’s and family’s treatment by mid-century mental health professionals and, most importantly, his electrifying ability to manipulate the English language. The film itself, however, is a mixed bag: poetic where it should be prosaic; diffuse where it should be focused.  My review after the jump:

5 Movie Clips from Julie Taymor’s THE TEMPEST; Plus 15 High Res Images

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: December 4th, 2010 at 10:09 am

With writer-director Julie Taymor’s The Tempest opening December 10 in New York and Los Angeles, we’ve been given 5 clips and 15 high resolution images from the film.  Adapted from William Shakespeare, Taymor has added a twist to the material by switching the gender of the sorcerer Prospero into the sorceress Prospera (who is played by Oscar winner Helen Mirren).  In addition, Taymor has brought along an all-star cast featuring Russell Brand, Alfred Molina, Djimon Hounsou, David Strathairn, Chris Cooper, Alan Cumming, Ben Whishaw, Reeve Carney, Felicity Jones, and Tom Conti.

Hit the jump to check out the clips and images.  Look for interviews with the cast next week.

New Images from Julie Taymor’s THE TEMPEST

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: November 10th, 2010 at 10:53 am

New images have been released for the upcoming adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest starring Helen Mirren and Russell Brand.  Written and directed by Julie Taymor, who also helmed 2007’s Across the Universe as well as the fantastic stage adaptation of The Lion King, the Shakesperean comedy features a fantastic cast that includes David Strathairn, Alfred Molina, Djimon Hounsou, Chris Cooper and Alan Cumming.  We recently brought you the visually impressive trailer for the film, which hits theaters on December 10^th. Hit the jump to check out the new images.

Trailer for Julie Taymor’s THE TEMPEST Starring Helen Mirren

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: October 5th, 2010 at 10:59 am

The trailer for Julie Taymor’s adaptation of William Shakepeare’s The Tempest has gone online.  While Taymor’s impressive visual style is on display, the tone of the film looks all over the place as it ranges from “Passion” to “Treachery” to “Stupidity”.  Despite a great cast that includes Helen Mirren, Alfred Molina, David Strathairn, Chris Cooper, Alan Cumming, Ben Whishaw, Russell Brand, and Djimon Hounsou, the film has received poor notices at festivals.

Hit the jump to check out the trailer.  The Tempest opens December 10th.

TV Casting Call: Richard Dreyfuss Smokes WEEDS; Henry Ian Cusick in LAW & ORDER: SVU; Amy Madigan Mothers FRINGE; David Strathairn in ALPHAS

by Ethan Anderton    Posted: July 7th, 2010 at 12:19 pm

A quartet of TV casting news is coming your way, beginning with a report that Amy Madigan — who recently appeared on Grey’s Anatomy and Law & Order — has been cast in a pivotal role on Fringe.  According to EW, the actress will play Olivia Dunham’s mother in at least four episodes beginning with the third season premiere this fall.  When the role was being cast, Olivia’s mother was described as lovely and completely devoted to her daughter.  The real question is whether she and Olivia will meet in the real world or in the crazy alternate universe.

Hit the jump for more casting additions to Weeds, Law & Order: SVU and SyFy’s action-adventure pilot Alphas.

Promo Trailer for THE WHISTLEBLOWER Starring Rachel Weisz

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: May 30th, 2010 at 9:07 pm

Collider reader Freddy turned us on to a new promo trailer for The Whistleblower.  The film stars Rachel Weisz as a female cop from Nebraska who serves as a peacekeeper in post-war Bosnia but ends up exposing a United Nations cover-up of a sex trafficking scandal.  I ragged on the premise a bit when we reported Weisz’ casting in May 2009, but looking at this trailer, the film looks good.  There will be comparisons to Weisz’s role in The Constant Gardener (a role for which she earned an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress), but she’s a fantastic actress and knows how to deliver.  The film’s also got a strong supporting cast including David Strathairn, Monica Bellucci, Nikolaj Lie Kaas (Brødre), and Vanessa Redgrave.  It will be interesting to see what co-writer/director Larysa Kondracki pulls off with her first feature-length film.

Hit the jump to check out the promo trailer plus the promo poster.

Oscilloscope Sets HOWL, Starring James Franco, for September Release

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 22nd, 2010 at 11:39 am

Distributor Oscilloscope will release Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman’s Allen Ginsberg film Howl in theaters and on Video-on-Demand on September 24^th.  The film, which stars James Franco as Ginsberg, centers on the poet’s 1957 public obscenity trial.  The flick, which also stars David Strathairn, Jon Hamm, and Mary-Louise Parker, opened this year’s Sundance Film Festival to mixed reviews.

Hit the jump to read the full press release.

4 Movie Clips from HOWL – Premieres at Sundance and Stars James Franco, Jon Hamm, and David Strathairn

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: January 19th, 2010 at 5:46 pm

Every Sundance, there are always a few movies everyone is talking about before the Festival.  You know…the ones with buzz. One of the movies at this year’s Fest that people are talking about is Howl.  The reason…it’s filled with an all star cast consisting of James Franco, Jon Hamm, David Strathairn, Treat Williams, Bob Balaban, Alessandro Nivola, Mary Louise Parker and Jeff Daniels.  Also, you’ve got Franco playing a young Allen Ginsberg and as the synopsis says, “it’s a legal drama, a character study and an animated trip into the magic and madness of the modern world.”

With Sundance set to begin later this week, we’ve landed the first footage from Howl and it’s four clips from the film.  If you’d like a sneak peak at one of the big films from this year’s Fest…take a look.  Also, the film plays this Thursday night in Park City, so reviews will be everywhere on Friday.

2010 Sundance Film Festival: New Photos for HOWL Starring James Franco and Jon Hamm

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: December 3rd, 2009 at 11:53 am

New photos for Howl, the upcoming film starring James Franco as revered beat poet Allen Ginsberg, have come online as the film approaches its premiere at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.  I find these images impressive because we’re once again forced to recognize that James Franco can do anything.  Look at these photos and then remember that he’s doing a guest stint on General Hospital and it could be part of an art project.  He was also hilarious last year in Pineapple Express.  These projects are so vastly different and yet Franco always excels and it looking like Howl will be no different.

For those unfamiliar with the project, Howl is about the 1957 obscenity trial against Ginsberg for his poem, “Howl”.  Directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, the film co-stars Jon Hamm, Mary-Louise Parker, Jeff Daniels, and David Strathairn.  Hit the jump to check out the images.  The 2010 Sundance Film Festival runs from January 21-31st.

Monica Bellucci, David Strathairn, and Vanessa Redgrave Join Rachel Weisz in THE WHISTLEBLOWER

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: October 20th, 2009 at 8:00 pm

Variety reports that Monica Bellucci, David Strathairn, and Vanessa Redgrave will join Rachel Weisz in the indie political drama, “The Whistleblower”.  Based on a true story, “The Whistleblower” is the directorial debut of Larysa Kondracki’s and tells the story of policewoman (Weisz) who risks her job and her own safety to uncover and bring to light a scandal involving both American contractors and the United Nations in postwar Bosnia.   You wouldn’t think a scandal could erupt at the intersection of “American contractors”, “United Nations”, and “postwar Bosnia” but I guess we’ll just have to suspend our disbelief.

Weisz is having a great 2009 so far.  She gave one of the best female performances of the year in “The Brothers Bloom” and she played the lead in Alejandro Amenábar’s “Agora” which became Spain’s top-grossing film of the year after only four days.  Weisz will next be seen in Peter Jackson’s adaptation of Alice Sebold’s “The Lovely Bones”.

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