Robert Pattinson joins Benedict Cumberbatch in a big screen adaptation of a popular novel and Jon Favreau picks up The Jungle Book in this week’s casting round-up.
Moves were made and deals were wheeled in Hollywood this week. Here is our breakdown of the big casting (and directing) news that broke this week.
Robert Pattinson
Pattinson will reportedly join Benedict Cumberbatch to star in a film adaptation of David Grann’s novel, Lost City of Z.
The film, set to be directed by James Gray, follows a British explorer who disappeared while in search of a lost city in the deeps of the Amazon jungle. Cumberbatch will play the lead role while Pattinson’s role is unknown as of yet.
This adds to an already jam-packed schedule for Pattinson who already has six films in the works. There is no word yet on an expected release date for The Lost City of Z.
Dwayne Johnson
Johnson has signed on to star in the film adaptation of Seal Team 666, the novel from Weston Ochse that follows a team of Navy SEALs that battle demons as well as other supernatural threats to human safety.
The artist formally known as “The Rock” will also co-produce the action thriller for MGM. Johnson just finished shooting Hercules 3D for Brett Ratner. That film hits theaters next Summer.
Kristen Stewart and Jesse Eisenberg
The Adventureland co-stars will reunite for American Ultra, a comedy about a stoner (Eisenberg) and his girlfriend (Stewart) who get mixed up in a dangerous government operation, that turns their lives upside down.
The film, directed by Project X‘s Nima Nourizadeh and written my Max Landis, won’t hit theaters until 2015. In the meantime, fans can catch Eisenberg in the indie thriller Night Moves and Stewart in the Guantanamo Bay drama, Camp X-Ray, due out next year.
Director’s Note: ‘The Jungle Book’
Jon Favreau has been tapped by Disney to direct the upcoming live-action adaptation of The Jungle Book. The actor/director is in negotiations with the studio to take on Kipling’s classic and bring it into the 21st century.
As a director, Favreau is best known for his work on the Iron Man franchise and the holiday favorite, Elf. Disney is reportedly hoping Favreau will bring a unique blend of action and family friendly themes.
The film is still in the development stages as of now and is eyeing a 2015 release. Favreau can next be seen in Martin Scorcese’s Oscar contender, The Wolf of Wall Street.