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, “Holy superhero, Batman!” 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 on who’s playing what, who’s not, and who should. The projects, roles and stars everyone can’t stop talking about are all here…
In movieland, we have some more Good Kids to add to the cast of this coming-of-age comedy: Zoey Deutch, Neighbors’ Craig Roberts and standout from last year’s The Bling Ring, Israel Broussard. Kids tells the story of four goody-goodies who change it up the summer after they graduate high school by completely reinventing themselves.
Another mention for Zoey Deutch is the original and fun-sounding Cover Girl, a rom-com about an enterprising young New York City girl who funds her studies at Cambridge by charging gay man a fee for appearing as their ‘beard’.
Nicholas Hoult, aka The Beast of this week’s newest X-Men film, is a busy little mutant. First off is his lead role in the war drama Sand Castle, written by an actual Iraq war veteran. Joining Nicholas as a gruff army sergeant is Toby Kebbell, who will also be appearing in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes as well as the Fantastic Four reboot, as Dr. Doom himself.
Next is Go Down Together, a Bonnie and Clyde-inspired (true) tale in which Hoult will star opposite GOT’s Emilia Clarke (who is currently filming Terminator: Genesis in the role of Sarah Connor).
And that’s not even all: Nicholas will also be seen in next year’s reboot Mad Max: Fury Road alongside Tom Hardy.
As for Freddie Highmore, it looks like this Norman Bates isn’t quite done creeping every body out: the Bates Motel actor will be doing voice work in the upcoming animated adaptation of the classic Canterville Ghost, based on the story by Oscar Wilde.
Chris Colfer, aka Kurt of Fox’s soon-to-be-legendary Glee, will portray British playwright Noel Coward in a yet-to-be-titled biopic. The film will follow the early years of the artist and scholar, as well as his influences and relationships.
More movie news for boys: both Ed Westwick (Gossip Girl) and Dominic Sherwood (Vampire Academy) have signed on to Take Down, a thriller in the vein of Toy Soldiers about a handful of privileged boarding school students who take matters into their own hands when remote compound is invaded by armed assailants.
And then there’s the boy who was Harry Potter, Daniel Radcliffe. Currently being considered for You Shall Know Our Velocity, Radcliffe would play one half of an awkward duo of friends who decide to take the ashes of a third friend to the pyramids in Egypt. The film is based on the novel by the brilliant Dave Eggers.
Let the male movie news continue with Chad Michael Murray of the brilliant Fruitvale Station, who will star in horror film Abbatoir. Calling to mind Cabin in the Woods, this flick sets out to reinvent the haunted house trope yet again.
And the one other woman on this list aside from Zoey Deutch is Amber Heard, who has several upcoming projects in the works. The Zombieland actress will reteam with her (overexposed) Pineapple Express costar James Franco in The Adderall Diaries, which will also feature Christian Slater, Cynthia Nixon and Ed Harris. Based on the memoir of the same name, Diaries will explore a young author’s obsession with a man who confesses to a total of nine completely unrelated murders.
