It’s casting time. Here’s what we've got coming at a glance:
- Steve Coogan just signed on to play James Boswell in the feature film adaptation of Patrick Edgeworth’s play, Boswell for the Defence.
- Michael Douglas and Orlando Bloom joined Michael Apted’s upcoming thriller, Unlocked. They'll star alongside Noomi Rapace who's already set to play a CIA interrogator.
Hit the jump for more on Boswell for the Defence and Unlocked.
Highland Film Group just announced that Coogan is set to take the title role in Boswell for the Defence. Edgeworth will adapt his own play for Gregor Jordan to direct. It takes place during the height of Boswell’s career in 1792 when he opted to take the ultimate risk and tackle a case that nobody else wanted, that of convict Mary Bryant. Arianne Fraser and Delphine Perrier of Highland Film Group further explained:
“Boswell for the Defence is a unique combination of drama and humour about the most unlikely of people becoming a hero. Gregor’s vision for the film was an instantaneous fit. We are equally excited to start collaborating with Steve and Mark on this project and bringing this extraordinary film to audiences worldwide.”
Filming is expected to get underway in 2015 with Mark Pennell and Steve Chasman producing. They added:
“Whether it be ‘Lincoln’ or ‘Thatcher’, bringing a historical figure to life is always a challenge, but Steve’s (Coogan) extraordinary ability to blend humour and pathos make him the perfect artist to bring such a complex character like Boswell to the screen. We are excited to see him make this role his own.”
Next up we’ve got Douglas and Bloom joining Apted’s next film, Unlocked. Alex Walton and Ken Kao’s BLOOM is handling the international sales on this one, which is based on a Peter O’Brien screenplay about a CIA interrogator who unintentionally divulges information to terrorists and then must fix her mistake by thwarting their biological warfare attack on London.
Walton stated:
“I am delighted to introduce this fresh, smart European thriller to buyers in Toronto. With three major studio movies in production, Noomi Rapace is becoming one of the hottest female international stars working today. When you add Michael Apted, Michael Douglas and Orlando Bloom -- you have a commercial package that I am confident will draw strong interest.”
Rapace is on board to portray that CIA interrogator, but the press release makes no mention of the roles that Douglas and Bloom are taking. Principal photography is set to begin on November 3rd with Lorenzo DiBonaventura producing alongside Georgina Townsley and Erik Howsam.
