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 ‘And the new Supreme is!’ 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 off, speaking of American Horror Story…Emma Roberts has joined the cast of For the Dogs with Sam Worthington. She’s replacing Hailee Steinfeld as a college student seeking revenge against those who killed her parents and younger brother.
And onto event film news! This just in: The Social Network’s (and Zombieland’s) Jessie Eisenberg has been cast as Lex Luthor in the new Batman/Superman film, with Ben Affleck! Although a slightly unorthodox choice, we’re sure this versatile young actor will make the role his own (and be a lot better than the sorely miscast Amy Adams as Lois Lane).
As for the biggest event of them all, the rumors keep circulating as to who will star as the younger generation of intergalactic heroes in JJ Abrams’ (and Disney’s) Star Wars: Episode VII. The latest potential contender for a major role is actor Jesse Plemons, of Breaking Bad and Friday Night Lights. The plot and details of this film of course remain highly guarded, but with production to begin soon, rumors should be solidifying to facts any minute now…
Chris Colfer has locked down one of the voice leads in the upcoming animated ROBODOG. The story follows the adventures of two dogs exploring the world, one of which is a perky, pesky robot (Colfer).
Everyone’s favorite Brit Rebel Wilson of Bridesmaids and Pitch Perfect fame has joined the cast of Night at the Museum 3, opposite Ben Stiller and Robin Williams, this time set in England. Wilson is set to play the night guard already on duty at the museum. Rebel also has another film in the works, with Amanda Seyfried, called He’s F-ing Perfect. Great title!
It looks like a return to form, and TV, for fabulous actor Thomas Dekker. After wrongfully leaving Heroes back in 2008 (ostensibly helping to ruin that series) to do ‘straighter’ fare as John Connor in The Sarah Connor Chronicles, as well as a stint on The Secret Circle, Dekkerwill be a regular on Fox’s new BACKSTROM. He will portray Gregory, a young gay man who serves as Backstrom’s connection to the crime underworld.
In other TV news, the beloved show Awkward is getting some fresh meat: Pretty Little Liars’ Elizabeth Whitson, The Carrie Diaries’ Evan Crooks, Lincoln Heights’ Kofi Siriboe and newcomer Monty Greer will all play new students on the show.
Last on the TV front, ABC Family has given the greenlight to both MYSTERY GIRLS and YOUNG & HUNGRY. The first will be produced by the ORIGINAL 90210’s Tori Spelling and Jennie Garth (both of whom are starring) and centers on two former TV detectives who are brought back together to solve a real-life murder. Young & Hungry focuses on a tech entrepreneur who meets a food blogger aspiring to be a personal chef. Eric and Kim Tannenbaum will produce along with Jessica Rhoades and Ashley Tisdale.
OK, back to the movies: Kristen Wiig and Bel Powley are set to star in The Diary of a Teenage Girl, based on the graphic novel of the same name, about a teenage artist who begins a relationship with her mother’s boyfriend. Scandalous… Powley is known for MI High and Wiig for just about everything, from SNL and Bridesmaids to the upcoming The Skeleton Twins, which was a hit at Sundance.
Asa Butterfield is set to reunite with co-star Hailee Steinfeld after the largely forgettable Ender’s Game in TEN THOUSAND SAINTS, a coming-of-age film based on Eleanor Henderson’s novel.
Noah Lomax has joined the cast of 99 HOMES alongside Andrew Garfield, Michael Shannon and Laura Dern. The story follows a man (Garfield) who loses his home to foreclosure and eventually finds work with the real estate broker (Shannon) who took his house. Soon he is not only evicting homeowners but helping the man embezzle money from the government despite the nagging of his conscience. Lomax will play Garfield’s son. Check out the YA interview with Noah here!
IN DEVELOPMENT
And for those exciting new projects announced that don’t yet have stars attached, you heard it here first! Find out about new YA-interest films and TV shows below!
Just in time for the long-awaited release of the film version, writer Rob Thomas is creating an untitled Veronica Mars-spinoff for CW Seed, CW’s online component. Exact details on the project are being guarded but key Mars characters are sure to make appearances.
For those Julie Kagawa (The Iron Fey) fans out there, it’s time to get very excited – film development is already underway for Talon, a yet-to-be-released book series by the prolific author set in a world where dragons can take the form of humans, and one of them unknowingly falls in love with a sworn dragon slayer… Gotta love a star-crossed fantasy romance!
First off, speaking of American Horror Story…Emma Roberts has joined the cast of For the Dogs with Sam Worthington. She’s replacing Hailee Steinfeld as a college student seeking revenge against those who killed her parents and younger brother.
It looks like a return to form, and TV, for fabulous actor Thomas Dekker. After wrongfully leaving Heroes back in 2008 (ostensibly helping to ruin that series) to do ‘straighter’ fare as John Connor in The Sarah Connor Chronicles, as well as a stint on The Secret Circle, Dekkerwill be a regular on Fox’s new BACKSTROM. He will portray Gregory, a young gay man who serves as Backstrom’s connection to the crime underworld.
