A bit of casting news to share with you today.  Here are the important bits:

• Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Match Point) is in negotiations to join The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, the adaptation ofCassandra Clare’sYA fantasy novel.
• Xavier Samuel (The Twilight Saga: Eclipse) will join Emily Browning and Cam Gigandet in Catherine Hardwicke’s indie thriller, Plush.  

Hit the jump for more details on each picture.

Some easy on the eyes casting additions today.  Here they are at a glance:

• Malin Akerman (Watchmen) will star as “Blondie” front-woman, Debbie Harry in director Randall Miller’s indie, CBGB.
• Emily Browning (Sucker Punch) is in talks to join Plush, a psychic story from director Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight).
• Ahna O’Reilly (The Help) will star opposite Ashton Kutcher in the Steve Jobs indie picture, Jobs, from director Joshua Michael Stern (Swing Vote).

Hit the jump for more on each film.

Catherine Hardwicke‘s career arc doesn’t make much sense to me.  Her directorial debut was the edgy teen drama Thirteen, followed by the likeminded skater tale Lords of Dogtown.  The first major detour came in 2006 with the chaste The Nativity Story.  Next she kicked off the Twilight Saga phenomenon, but instead of returning for the sequels, moved on to the panned Twilight knockoff Red Riding Hood.  To get back on track, Hardwicke may return to her roots.  THR reports that Hardwicke is attached to direct Plush, and her Thirteen star Evan Rachel Wood is attached to star.  The script that Hardwicke co-wrote with Artie Nelson is described as an erotic thriller set in the L.A. music world.

Honestly, I tune out when I hear the phrase “erotic thriller,” but reuniting with Wood is a smart move if Hardwicke wishes to reconnect with the critical community.  Knockout, a boxing drama starring Noomi and Ola Rapace, looks to be her next project.  It sounds promising, so perhaps the director is already on the path back to critical favor.  Hardwicke is also attached to direct The Maze Runner and The Bitch Posse .  Hit the jump for a recent video interview where Hardwicke mentions the project.