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 it takes them to launch a new superhero franchise, 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…
Dwayne “The Rock” (or should we say Hercules) Johnson is getting in on the superhero craze. After a lot of negotiating, the star is allegendly signed on to Shazam, formerly known in comics as Captain Marvel, about a boy who can summon an ancient Egyptian wizard/genie.
…And if it isn’t superheroes, it’s something apocalyptic. Game of Thrones’ Maisie Williams is rumored to be starring in the film version of The Last of Us, the groundbreaking post-apocalyptic video game. The movie will be produced by Sam Raimi and the game’s writer/director, who presented the project this week at Comic Con.
Two more voices have been added to the stellar cast of the new Jungle Book project, which will combine a live action Mowgli with lots of CGI beasts of the wild. Christopher Walken will take on King Louie, the ape king who provided a lot of comic relief in the animated original, while Breaking Bad’s chilling Gus, aka Giancarlo Esposito, will perform Akela, leader of a pack of wolves.
Additionally, we’ve got some more news on the Jack Black starrer Goosebumps. Stars Dylan Minnette and Odeya Rush will play the young duo who face off against RL Stine’s monsters, which include (in no particular order): Slappy, Bog Monster, Graveyard Ghouls, Murder the Clown, The Witch Doctor, Professor Shock, a Vampire, The Creep, The Bugeye Aliens, The Pumpkin Heads, the Scarecrow, The Executioner, and so much more.
True to form, Marvel has confirmed the sequel to one of their yet-to-be-released films: Guardians of the Galaxy 2 will happen, now that the first film is getting such amazing buzz (and incredible reviews, with a whopping %97 on Rotten Tomatoes as of Tuesday).The news was announced by writer-director James Gunn and actor Josh Brolin, who plays Thanos, essentially the series’ version of Emperor Palpatine.
Eva Green is being considered for the titular role in Tim Burton’s next attraction, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. Based on the novel written by Ranson Riggs, the fantasy film focuses on a teen named Jacob, who discovers a defunct orphanage on an isolated island that was home to children with strange powers.
IN DEVELOPMENT
Famous Five on a Treasure Island is set to happen, a family adventure film based off of the children’s series Famous Five by Enid Blyton. The story is about four children and their dog who spend their summer adventuring through the English countryside before they must return to boarding school.
And hot off the presentation of Sony’s 2015 blockbuster Pixels at Comic Con, other video game movies are coming out of the woodwork too. Warner Bros. is reported to be developing a film based off the Space Invaders game of yore. Details are of course hazy so far.
Sony Pictures is prepping Grasshopper Jungle, based on the popular YA novel by Andrew Smith Dutton about a hormonal teenage boy who accidentally unleashes a swarm of giant, mutated insects. Gross/we can’t wait. The film will be directed by Edgar Wright, who has Scott Pilgrim vs. The World to his credit.
James Bond’s new Agent Q, Ben Whishaw, will be the voice of Paddington Bear in Paddington, replacing Colin Firth. Based on the beloved children’s book of a talking teddy lost in London, Whishaw will voice the one animated element in the film; the rest of the cast is live action, and includes Hugh Bonneville, Nicole Kidman, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, and Jim Broadbent.
Twilight’s Kellan Lutz will star in Smart Bullets, based on the exclusive comic book series. The film will focus on a scientist fleeing from criminals who want the technology she possesses.
YA stars Charlie Plummer, Cory Nichols, and Erin Davie have all signed on to new film King Jack, about a teen delinquent (Plummer) who is charged with looking after his young cousin for the weekend, while he at the same time must fight back against a neighborhood bully.
Kyle Gallner has signed on to join the comedy/horror The Master Cleanse, with the dream cast of Anjelica Huston, Johnny Galecki, Chloe Sevigny, Oliver Platt and Anna Friel. The story follows a heartbroken man who arrives at a spiritual retreat only to discover that the ‘cleanse’ is not at all what he was expecting…
Two exciting names are attached to the film Michael, based on a true story (written up in The New York Times Magazine) about a gay man so distraught over homophobic rants directed at him, he becomes an anti-gay Christian pastor in response. Zachary Quinto will play the pastor’s ex-boyfriend, while Emma Roberts portrays his current girlfriend. The pastor in question will be played by the sorely overexposed James Franco.
Douglas Smith is making some casting waves, with two big projects set to start filming in the near future. The star of Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters and upcoming Ouija will also be a part of the upcoming reboot Terminator: Genesis, joining Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney and (you bet) Arnold Schwarzenegger. He is also set to star in the indie Evan’s Crime, about a college student who is caught with a small amount of drugs but is nonetheless put away for years by an ambitious prosecutor.
Michael Cera and Tye Sheridan will be a part of Entertainment, following a comedian going through a rough time who tours the American southwest in search of his daughter.
Game of Thrones’ Rose Leslie has signed on to be a part of The Last Witch Hunter, starring Vin Diesel. The fantasy actioner brings witch-hunting to contemporary NYC.