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.

On a slightly more "WTF" note, Zoo productions announced at Cannes that Pam Grier (Jackie Brown), Michael Madsen (Kill Bill), and Brigitte Nelson will join Danny Trejo and crossover-porn star Sasha Grey in the grindhouse-style film Skinny Dip. With production just beginning, the film will follow in the vain of recent grindhouse films Hobo with a Shotgun and Machete, the plot of Skinny Dip fits into the vigilante/revenge tale.

Per the press release, the official synopsis reads: “When an innocent dare results in the racially motivated death of her boyfriend, Holly Haven, dons the uniform of a cop and becomes a shot gun-wielding, motorcycle-driving vigilante.”

If that’s not enough to win your business, maybe the tagline will: “They took her bikini. They took her virginity. She took her revenge.”