We have some quick casting stories for you this afternoon.  First up, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges has joined Garry Marshall's upcoming romantic comedy New Year's Eve.  The ever-expanding cast already includes (deep breath) Robert De Niro, Ashton Kutcher, Halle Berry, Jessical Biel, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sarah Jessica Parker, Hilary Swank, Zac Efron, Sienna Miller, Lea Michelle, Sofia Vergara, Abigail Breslin, Til Schweiger, Seth Meyes, Jon Bon Jovi, Josh Duhamel, and Carla Gugino.  So where does Bridges fit into this collection of actors getting paid for what probably amounts to a few days work in under-developed storylines about people falling in and out of love on New Year's Eve?  According to THR, Bridges will play "a NYPD cop who is working with the director of the Times Square festivities (Swank)."

Bridges was recently one of the few redeeming aspects of No Strings Attached and he'll next be seen reprising his character "Tej" in the new Fast and Furious movie, Fast Five.  Hit the jump for casting news regarding Alan Rickman and Tom Courtenay joining the remake of Gambit.

We've received a press release announcing that Alan Rickman and Tom Courtenay (Doctor Zhivago) have joined Colin Firth and Cameron Diaz in Michael Hoffman's remake of Gambit.  The remake, based on a 1966 caper comedy starring Michael Caine and Shirley MacLaine, has a script from Joel and Ethan Coen "and centers on Harry Deane (Firth), a London art curator who enlists a Texas Rodeo Queen (Diaz) in a scheme to con the richest man in England."  Rickman will play Lord Shahbandar while Courtenay will step into the role of The Major.  Filming is set to begin in London this May.

Here's the full press release:

THESP ALAN RICKMAN PLAYS GAMBIT WITH CRIME SCENE PICTURES

Sir Tom Courtenay Also Joins Caper with CBS Films Set to Release in the U.S.

(Los Angeles, CA) March 22, 2011 – Crime Scene Pictures Partners Adam Ripp and Rob Paris announced that Alan Rickman (Harry Potter Series, Alice in Wonderland) and Sir Tom Courtenay (The Golden Compass) have joined the cast of GAMBIT, which is based on the 1966 British caper comedy which starred Michael Caine and Shirley MacLaine.   Rickman will portray Lord Shahbandar and Sir Tom Courtenay will step into the role of The Major.

Mike Lobell (The Freshman, Honeymoon in Vegas) is producing alongside Crime Scene Pictures partners Adam Ripp and Rob Paris, who are also financing.  Rizal Risjad is executive producing.  CBS Films recently acquired the US distribution rights, while FilmNation Entertainment is handling international sales.

Academy Award Winner Colin Firth (The King’s Speech) and Cameron Diaz (Bad Teacher, The Green Hornet) will star, with Michael Hoffman (The Last Station) directing from a screenplay by Academy Award Winners Joel and Ethan Coen (No Country for Old Men, True Grit).

Ripp and Paris said: “"We are thrilled to have added two world class actors to our already formidable cast. Alan and Sir Tom are the perfect additions to this classic comedic heist."

GAMBIT will begin shooting in May in London and centers on Harry Deane (Firth), a London art curator who enlists a Texas Rodeo Queen (Diaz) in a scheme to con the richest man in England.

Rickman is represented by William Morris Endeavor Entertainment and Independent Talent Group, and Courtenay is represented by Jonathan Altaras Associates and Artist International Management.