We’ve got a couple of casting stories for you this afternoon. First up, Lily Collins has joined the cast of the indie comedy The English Teacher. The actress joins Julianne Moore, Nathan Lane, Greg Kinnear, and Michael Angarano in Craig Zisk’s feature directorial debut. The pic centers on a high school English teacher (Moore) whose life takes a turn when one of her favorite former students (Angarano) returns to his hometown as a failed playwright. The teacher convinces her former pupil to stage the uproduced play at her school, and all does not go according to plan. Collins will play “a popular high schooler who comes into conflict with the teacher.” The actress is currently filming the starring role in Tarsem Singh’s Untitled Snow White Project.
Hit the jump for casting news concerning Roman Coppola’s Inside the Mind of Charlie Swan. [Update: We've been sent the press release for Collins' casting. It's included after the jump].
Additionally, Bones star Katheryn Winnick has landed the female lead in director Roman Coppola’s indie Inside the Mind of Charlie Swan (formerly titled A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charlie Swan, but it looks like they're trying to pare down that mouthful of a title). The film stars Charlie Sheen as a successful graphic designer whose fame and fortune have made him irresistible to women (sound familiar?). The designer’s life heads into a downward spiral when his girlfriend breaks up with him, and he begins to look back on his life. Variety reports Winnick’s casting, but has no details on her role other than that it’s of the lead type. Jason Schwartzman also stars in the pic, which is currently filming.
Here's the press release for Collins in The English Teacher:
New York (October 24, 2011) -- Artina Films’ announced today that Lily Collins is joining Julianne Moore, Greg Kinnear, Nathan Lane and Michael Angarano in the sharp comedy THE ENGLISH TEACHER. The film is produced by Naomi Despres, Robert Salerno and Matthew Chausse of Artina alongside producer Ben LeClair. The Executive Producer is Ron Curtis.
Artina Films’ also announced that Media House Capital (Canada) Corp has signed on as a co-financier of the film. Media House’s Managing Director Aaron L. Gilbert, will also serve as an Executive Producer on the film.
The film begins shooting in New York this week, and marks the feature directorial debut of Craig Zisk (THE BIG C, NURSE JACKIE, WEEDS).
The film is the story of beloved high school English teacher Linda Sinclair (Moore) whose repressed personal life exists in stark contrast to the passion she brings to the classroom. Linda’s carefully constructed life is upended when a former star pupil returns to her small town after failing miserably as a playwright in New York. Convincing him to mount his un-produced play at the high school, Linda finds herself in the middle of more drama than she’s ever known. Collins will play the popular high school drama student who comes into conflict with Linda.
Collins can next be seen as Snow White in the UNTITLED SNOW WHITE project opposite Julia Roberts and Armie Hammer. Collins’ other credits include her breakout role in THE BLIND SIDE opposite Sandra Bullock as well as ABDUCTION and PRIEST.