It would seem that casting news for Young Adult Hollywood revolves around just a few hot and very in-demand names, and what a busy bunch they are! But because things change in showbiz faster than you can say ‘Take that, Spiderman!‘, the names on that list are changing all the time. So to that end, we here at YA Mag will undertake the hefty task of keeping you up to date each month on who’s playing what, who’s not, and who should. The roles and stars everyone can’t stop talking about are all here…
First and foremost, an update in movie musical news, with the addition of the one and only Sandra Bullock taking on the role of Mrs. Hannigan (immortalized by the equally one-and-only Carol Burnett in the beloved 1980s version). Jamie Foxx is still ‘rumored’ to be joining the cast in the Daddy Warbucks role, as is Samantha Mumba who might play Lily St. Regis.
And now onto superhero films! The most recent development from the Amazing Spiderman crew is the sad exclusion of Mary Jane Watson, ie Secret Life’s gorgeous Shailene Woodley, from the sequel’s storyline. Reportedly, the film’s director made a “creative decision to streamline the story and focus on Peter and Gwen and their relationship.” “Of course I’m bummed,” Woodley revealed to Entertainment Weekly. “But I am a firm believer in everything happening for a specific reason. MJ only appeared in a few scenes and I wouldn’t trade the experience of working with Andrew [Garfield] and Emma [Stone] for three days on set for the world.” NBD, though, since there’s a good chance MJW will return in the just-announced third and fourth installments of the franchise. Only time will tell if Shailene will reprise the role.
Also underway in the Marvel universe is the next outing for the Avengers, with Robert Downey Jr. becoming the first official super-hero/star to sign on for Avengers 2 (and 3, for that matter). No need to worry: Joss Whedon is set to be back as writer and director. We’re sure the other badass heroes and villains will soon be following suit.
As for fairytales, we have more Cinderella news, for the Disney version to be directed my thespian-cum-filmmaker Kenneth Branagh. Slated to play the role of the fairy godmother? None other than Helena Bonham Carter, who has updated many other whimsical roles, most notably the Queen of Hearts (to hilarious effect) in beau Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. Cate Blanchett is in tow to play the Wicked Stepmother.
Another much-hyped children’s film is Paddington, based on the popular children’s books about a talking bear. One thing’s for certain; Ted this is not. Hugh Laurie (of TV’s House) will voice the bear, along with fellow Hugh Bonneville as Henry Brown.
Now onto some darker fare: the YA dystopian novel The Maze Runner is getting a film version, starring Teen Wolf’s Dylan O’Brien and the just-announced, very talented Patricia Clarkson in the role of Chancellor Ava Paige.
And in case you missed last year’s bike messenger vs. mob actioner Premium Rush with Joseph Gordon-Levitt, there’s… bike messenger vs. mob actioner Tracers, starring Taylor Lautner and Marie Avgeropoulos.
One notably busy actor is making himself even busier—Ryan Gosling, to be exact, now filming his directorial (and screenwriting) debut How to Catch Monster. The fantasy thriller stars Mad Men’s Christina Hendricks, The Host’s Saoirse Ronan, and Ghost Rider’s Eva Mendes.
