[Disclaimer: All commenting on this story must make at least one reference to "The Big Lebowski"]

Who do you get to fill the massive boots of John Wayne, especially when Wayne won his only Oscar for that particular massive boot-wearing role?  Well, if you're the Coen Brothers you could just say, "We're the Coen Brothers and we'll cast whoever we goddamn please and you will like it."  But instead they've cast a man and it's Jeff Bridges and I won't do the whole opening monologue from "The Big Lebowski".  Just hit the jump for the news about this delightful casting.

Back in March, news broke that The Coen Brothers were making an adaptation of the Charles Portis novel, "True Grit".  It's not Wayne's most famous performance and it's not his best but he won an Oscar for it and that's probably why people remember Rooster Cogburn and the name "True Grit".  Now the Coens are going back to Portis' novel with a more faithful adaptation and they want Bridges as Rooster Cogburn, an aging U.S. marshal who, with aide of another lawman, helps Mattie, a 14-year-old girl tracking the outlaw who killed her father.  I think it's far more interesting to see who they'll cast as the young girl because the new version returns the focus to the character and life of Mattie.  Still, no one can deny the casting of Jeff Bridges, not when there are so many "Big Lebowski" references to make.

The Coens are currently at this year's Toronto International Film Festival (along with Collider's Steve "Frosty" Weintraub who will be interviewing just about everyone) promoting their new film, "A Serious Man".

[Variety]