We have two bits of casting news for you today.  First, Richard Griffiths (Harry Potter) is playing King George II in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.  News of Griffiths involvement comes via his Pirates co-star Geoffrey Rush who, in an interview with Empire, discussed shooting scenes with the "wonderful, congenial, and very delightful" Griffiths.  As for the scenes themselves, Rush does not elaborate much past acknowledging that "as a privateer in his court, I mentor him (Griffiths)."  In addition to Rush and Griffiths, Pirates also stars Johnny Depp, Ian McShane, Stephen Graham, Gemma Ward, and Penelope Cruz.  While Disney's fourth installment isn't slated to hit theaters until May 20th, 2011, you should be able to check out its teaser trailer in front of Tron: Legacy on December 17th.

To learn about Eugene Levy taking a role that doesn't involve the American Pie franchise, hit the jump.

Per Variety, Levy has joined the cast of Goon, the hockey comedy written by Jay Baruchel and Evan Goldberg.  While the report doesn't divulge what Levy's role will entail, as long as he isn't portraying Mr. Noah Levenstein, I'll consider it a success.  Sure, I laughed at his turn in the series for a while (specifically through 2003's American Wedding), but now I find myself more and more disheartened every time I see Levy lending his comedic talents to never-ending iterations of the franchise.

As for Goon, Levy will be starring opposite Seann William Scott, Jay Baruchel, Liev Schreiber, and Alison Pill.  The film is being directed by Michael Dowse and tells the story of a bouncer (Scott) who becomes the hero of a minor league hockey team, only to become the target of the league's notorious goon.  Moreover, in a video interview with Steve earlier this year, Baruchel referred to Goon as a "funnier Raging Bull."  He and Goldberg's script is inspired by Doug Smith and Adam Frattasio’s book Goon: The True Story of an Unlikely Journey into Minor League Hockey.  The film is shooting in Winnipeg, Canada.