The Counselor

Cameron Diaz Takes the Role Angelina Jolie Eyed in Ridley Scott’s THE COUNSELOR

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: May 8th, 2012 at 7:43 pm

The casting reports on The Counselor have been a cavalcade of stars, from Michael Fassbender to Brad Pitt to Javier Bardem and many more.  The “many more” notably includes Angelina Jolie, who was either looking at the female lead or a smaller role to fit around her Maleficent schedule, depending on which report you read.  The latest from Twitch says dark horse candidate Cameron Diaz swooped in and landed the role of Malkina that Jolie was after.  The script by Cormac McCarthy (author of The Road and No Country for Old Men) centers on an attorney (Fassbender) who teams with Reiner (Bardem) to sell $20 million worth of cocaine.  The Playlist describes Malkina as “a hyper-sexualized Argentinean woman who’s hooked up with Reiner… a meaty part.”  If director Ridley Scott was willing to consider Jolie and Diaz, he may be flexible on that Argentinean part.  But Diaz is still far from the obvious choice for this type of role, so for now, I’ll give the 40-year veteran the benefit of the doubt and assume Scott knows what he’s doing.  Production on The Counselor is scheduled to begin in June.

Penelope Cruz May Join Michael Fassbender and Javier Bardem in THE COUNSELOR

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: April 19th, 2012 at 1:07 pm

Though production is set to begin soon, director Ridley Scott isn’t finished adding top-shelf talent to his next film, The Counselor.  So far, Michael Fassbender, Javier Bardem, Brad Pitt, and Angelina Jolie are in varying stages of signing on to the drama, and now Oscar winner Penelope Cruz is apparently eyeing a role.  Fassbender is set as the lead in the Cormac McCarthy-scripted project that centers on a respected lawyer who thinks he can dip his toe in the cocaine business without getting sucked down.  He teams up with a rich acquaintance (Bardem) for the new business that also brings in the shady type (Pitt).

Per THR, Cruz would play Fassbender’s love interest in the pic.  There was talk that Jolie was also circling the female lead, but other reports had her pegged for a smaller role given her tight schedule (she shoots Maleficent in June).  No official offer has been extended to Cruz, but she’s already entered talks to the part.  Whatever the case, Scott has already put together a stellar ensemble and I can’t wait to see the finished product.

Brad Pitt and Javier Bardem Officially in Talks for Ridley Scott’s THE COUNSELOR; Angelina Jolie Still Circling

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: April 12th, 2012 at 12:56 pm

The Avengers may be the all-star superhero movie of the year, but Ridley Scott is putting together an all-star lineup of his own for The Counselor.  No Country for Old Men author Cormac McCarthy wrote the script—his first—which quickly sparked a feeding frenzy over who would direct and star in the film.  Michael Fassbender is onboard as a respected lawyer who thinks he can dip his toe in the drug business without getting sucked down, and we previously reported that Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Natalie Portman, Bradley Cooper, and Jeremy Renner were circling roles in the pic.  Now it appears that Pitt and Bardem are extremely close to joining the cast, with Angelina Jolie not far behind.  Hit the jump for more.

Angelina Jolie in Talks to Take a Small Part in Ridley Scott’s THE COUNSELOR

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 10th, 2012 at 10:01 am

Angelina Jolie is in negotiations to take a small role in Ridley Scott‘s narco-thriller The Counselor.  Scott’s follow-up to Prometheus stars Michael Fassbender as a respected lawyer who thinks he can dip his toe in the drug business without getting sucked down.  The script, written by No Country for Old Men author Cormac McCarthy, has been described as No Country “on steroids”.  As we previously reported, Jeremy Renner, Javier Bardem, Natalie Portman, Bradley Cooper, and Brad Pitt are also circling roles in the film, although Pitt is considering a small part due to his busy schedule.

Vulture currently has no details on who Jolie would play, but there might be room in her schedule to make a brief appearance in Scott’s movie. The Counselor starts filming in June, and Jolie isn’t scheduled to don a pair of horns to play the title role in the Sleeping Beauty re-imagining Maleficent until late June or early July.  As we reported yesterday, Maleficent is slated for release on March 14, 2014.

Brad Pitt May Be Circling a Minor Role in Ridley Scott’s THE COUNSELOR

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: March 15th, 2012 at 12:20 pm

Last month, we reported that Brad Pitt was in the running to play the villain in Ridley Scott‘s The Counselor starring Michael Fassbender.  Fassbender plays “a respected lawyer who thinks he can dip his toe in the drug business without getting sucked down.”  The Counselor is being described as “No Country for Old Men on steroids,” which could be damn fine considering that No Country for Old Men author Cormac McCarthy wrote the screenplay.

According to Twitch, Jeremy Renner and Javier Bardem are now the front runners to play the heavy, and Pitt is circling the smaller role of “Westray – a business associate of the Counselor”.  Pitt rarely talks supporting roles unless he’s sharing equal time in an ensemble film Babel or Burn After Reading.  It’s possible that The Counselor could beef up his role, but Pitt’s not hurting on finding movies that would have him as the lead.  If he takes a smaller role, it may be because it’s a better fit for his schedule.  Pitt is currently set to co-star in Steve McQueen‘s Twelve Years a Slave; he’ll be seen in theaters later this year in the crime drama Killing Them Softly (previously titled Cogan’s Trade) and next summer in the blockbuster adaptation of Max Brooks‘ zombie novel World War Z.

Jeremy Renner, Natalie Portman and Javier Bardem Circle Ridley Scott’s THE COUNSELOR

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: March 8th, 2012 at 7:07 pm

In what’s shaping up to be one of the year’s hottest projects, The Counselor has just attracted some high-caliber acting talent to go along with the Oscar-nominated director, Ridley Scott (Gladiator) and the Pulitzer-Prize winning author, Cormac McCarthy (No Country for Old Men). The project, of course, already features Michael Fassbender (Shame) in the starring role as a respectable lawyer who begins to dabble in the trade of illegal drugs while trying to avoid succumbing to its pitfalls. Previously mentioned for the villainous role in McCarthy’s first ever spec script, were Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker), Brad Pitt (Fight Club) and Bradley Cooper (The Hangover). Renner is now in early negotiations along with Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men) for a part that seems less villainous and more enabling, as a criminal who introduces Fassbender’s character to the drug trade. Also in the mix for The Counselor is Natalie Portman (Black Swan), negotiating for a part opposite Fassbender as his fiancee.  Hit the jump for much more on The Counselor.

Michael Fassbender Confirmed to Star in Ridley Scott’s THE COUNSELOR [Update: Jeremy Renner and Brad Pitt Mentioned as Possibilities for Villain]

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 21st, 2012 at 12:35 pm

Though the sci-fi film hasn’t even come out yet, Michael Fassbender is already set to reteam with his Prometheus director Ridley Scott on Scott’s next project. When famed author Cormac McCarthy (No Country for Old Men) surprisingly turned in his first spec screenplay a few months ago, Scott quickly attached himself to the project. We heard at the time that Fassbender was talking to Scott about possibly starring, and now Deadline confirms that the actor will star in The Counselor. While plot details are thin, the pic is described as “No Country for Old Men on steroids” and concerns a respected lawyer who thinks he can dip his toe in the drug business without getting sucked down.

Production is set to begin on May 1st, but Fassbender is also poised to reteam with Shame director Steve McQueen on the period pic Twelve Years a Slave so it’s unclear if he’ll do Slave before or after The Counselor. The actor recently committed to developing and starring in a film based on Celtic warrior Cuchulainn. A number of high-profile actors are apparently talking with Scott about joining The Counselor, and the director’s chair was a highly sought-after gig. While I’m super excited about Prometheus, I’m interested to see Scott take on a straight drama following a number of large-scale pics. [Update: Deadline has updated their story to add that Scott is now looking to cast the villain role, with actors like Jeremy Renner, Brad Pitt, and Bradley Cooper mentioned as possible candidates. This is shaping up to be one hell of a movie]

Ridley Scott Confirmed to Next Direct Cormac McCarthy’s THE COUNSELOR; Michael Fassbender May Star

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 9th, 2012 at 5:57 pm

Author Cormac McCarthy’s first screenplay is looking like it’s on the fast track to production. McCarthy, whose books have been adapted into such fantastic films as No Country for Old Men and The Road, sold the spec screenplay The Counselor last month, and a multitude of directors jumped at the chance to take the helm. Ridley Scott entered talks a few weeks ago, and now Deadline reports that Scott is confirmed to make The Counselor his next film. Furthermore, Scott is apparently talking to his Prometheus star Michael Fassbender about starring in the drama.

The story is described as “No Country for Old Men on steroids” and centers on a respected lawyer who thinks he can dip a toe in to the drug business without getting sucked down. He soon finds he’s in over his head and tries his best to get out of a desperate situation. Apparently a number of top actors are vying for roles in the pic, and Scott hopes to begin production on May 1st. Fassbender is a tremendous actor, and the idea of him tackling Cormac material is certainly exciting. He’s next set to reteam with Shame director Steve McQueen on the period drama Twelve Years a Slave. I sincerely hope he’s able to fit both films into his schedule.

Ridley Scott in Talks to Direct Cormac McCarthy’s THE COUNSELOR

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 31st, 2012 at 6:26 pm

Director Ridley Scott is adding yet another project to his ever-increasing pile, but this one is poised to be his next film. Just over a week ago we reported that author Cormac McCarthy (No Country for Old Men) had turned in his very first spec screenplay entitled The Counselor. The news was exciting as the Pulitzer Prize-winning author is one of the great voices of our time, and now Deadline reports that Scott plans to bring the film to fruition. The story centers on “a respected lawyer who thinks he can dip a toe in to the drug business without getting sucked down. It is a bad decision and he tries his best to survive it and get out of a desperate situation.”

Scott plans to make The Counselor his next project after he finishes up post-production on this summer’s Prometheus. He certainly wasn’t lacking for potential projects to choose from, as he was mulling over a Gertrude Bell biopic with Angelina Jolie and the thriller Child 44. Scott previously stated that the Blade Runner remake would be his next pic, but it appears he’s chosen McCarthy’s drama instead. I’m quite looking forward to seeing him return to the sci-fi genre with Prometheus, but it’ll be interesting to see him bring McCarthy’s voice to life.

NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN Author Cormac McCarthy Sells His First Spec Script THE COUNSELOR

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 18th, 2012 at 11:24 am

Author Cormac McCarthy’s works have been mined for some stellar feature film adaptations over the past few years. All the Pretty Horses, The Road, and Best Picture winner No Country for Old Men have all come from the mind of McCarthy. Now the Pulitzer Prize-winning author is trying his hand at feature films, as he’s turned in his first spec script. His agents were expecting McCarthy to hand in his latest novel when instead he turned in the script for a film called The Counselor.

Deadline reports that the setting of The Counselor is reminiscent of No Country, and it centers on “a respected lawyer who thinks he can dip a toe in to the drug business without getting sucked down. It is a bad decision and he tries his best to survive it and get out of a desperate situation.” The contemporary drama is set in the Southwest and two of the leading characters are women. The film’s producers are currently talking to financiers and will quickly go looking for a filmmaker to attach to the project.

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