With a January production start-date looming for the long-awaited feature film adaptation of World of Warcraft, Legendary Pictures and director Duncan Jones (Moon) are now focused on casting for the fantasy pic.  Deadline reports that Paula Patton and Colin Farrell are currently in the mix for two lead roles, with Patton in firm negotiations and Farrell mulling over an offer.  The report notes that Farrell’s chances of signing on are 50/50 since talks have yet to begin, but he would certainly make an interesting choice for Warcraft.  Hit the jump for more.

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Farrell eschewed big budget tentpole fare following the disappointment of 2004’s Alexander and 2006's Miami Vice, and while he has shined in more character-centric pics like Seven Psychopaths and Crazy Heart as of late, he made a return to large-scale studio fare with last year’s disappointing Total Recall remake.  With a director like Jones onboard, though, one imagines Warcraft will bring more to the table than just recognizable characters and eye-popping battles, so it could be a fruitful choice for Farrell.

Patton is also a promising choice, as the actress got her first taste of franchise filmmaking in 2011’s excellent Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.  Deadline notes that Jones is testing other actors for major roles in Warcraft, but Farrell and Patton give us an (encouraging) idea of the kinds of actors the filmmaker is looking at for the fantasy pic.  Farrell recently wrapped another fantasy film, Akiva Goldsman’s Winter’s Tale, and he has a role in Disney’s upcoming Saving Mr. Banks.  Patton will next be seen in the romantic comedy Baggage Claim.  Legendary Pictures is producing Warcraft with an eye towards a 2015 release date.

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