We have three bits of casting news to bring you way this afternoon. First up, writer/director Sergio Castellitto (perhaps best-known to American audiences for his role as Miraz in Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian) added a pair of A-list names to his latest project.  According to ScreenDaily, Penelope Cruz and Emile Hirsch have agreed to star in Venuto al Mondo aka Twice Born for our English-speaking readers.  The film, a drama based on a novel, tells the story of a single mother (probably played by Cruz) who brings her son to Saravejo, where his father died fighting in the Bosnian war years ago.  There’s no word yet on what role Hirsch will play, but expect it to be a major one.

Next, and on a more comedic note, Jeff Garlin (Curb Your Enthusiasm) and Mary Lynn Rajskub, whose probably best-known for her role as Chloe on 24 have joined the growing cast of Safety Not Guaranteed, along with lesser-known actors Lynn Shelton, Karan Soni, and Jenica Bergere.  Safety not Guaranteed is based on a true story… well, a true classified ad and tells the story of three reporters investigating an ad seeking a partner for a time traveling mission.  According to the press release, one of the investigators(Aubrey Plaza) develops feelings for the “paranoid but compelling loner.”  Big Beach, the company behind Little Miss Sunshine is producing along with the Duplass Bros.

For our final piece of casting news, hit the jump to learn about Pam Grier, Michael Madsen, and Brigitte Nelson joining Skinny Dip.

It seems as if Machete will not be the only film featuring the combined talents of co-stars Danny Trejo and Michelle Rodriguez.  In a conversation with 24 Frames, Trejo confirmed that the two will reunite in the indie flick Skinny Dip.  Produced, and potentially co-directed, by Trejo’s 22-year-old son Gilbert, the film is described as a “revenge picture involving a young woman who kills a policeman.”  Also helming Skinny Dip is director Frankie Latina whose 2009 film Modus Operandi also featured the elder Trejo.  While Trejo jokes in the interview that he hopes his son’s presence in the industry will garner him more work, the fine actor’s laundry list of upcoming projects (including another lead role in Vengeance) suggests he can land work all on his own.

For more from Danny Trejo and Michelle Rodriguez, check out our recent interviews with each here and here.  You can catch the two in Robert Rodriguez’s Machete which opens this Friday, September 3^rd.