Casting Bits: J.K. Simmons In ‘Contraband;’ Michelle Rodriguez In ‘The Home;’ Robin McLeavy In ‘Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter;’
Mark Wahlbergis starring inContrabandright now — the film is a remake of the well-regarded thrillerReykjavik-Rotterdam, withBaltasar Kormakur, an actor in the original, directing the new version. The film follows a one-time smuggler (Wahlberg) who has taken a straight job as a security guard, but gets pulled back into illegal activity.
Now the ever-reliableJ.K. Simmonsis on board as a captain. The also-reliableBen Fosteris the brother-in-law of the main character and the guy that pulls him back into the Life;Kate Beckinsale,Giovanni Ribisi,Diego LunaandLukas Haasare also on board. [AV Club– this interview is wonderful and a must-read for fans of the actor.]
After the break, Michelle Rodriguez goes toTheHomeand Robin McLeavy joinsAbraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunterafter all.
Michelle Rodriguezsays her next film will be a horror picture calledThe Homethat takes place in a haunted nursing home. She says it will likely shoot in the summer as things are being set up now.
The film was written byEric Vespefrom AICN (he’s Quint) and is about “a firefighter who is nearly killed during a failed rescue that leaves him physically and emotionally scarred. To recuperate, he is taken to a secluded nursing home where the elderly residents appear to be suffering from delusions. But after witnessing a violent attack, he soon realizes that the screams behind the walls are caused by more than hallucinations, and the residents are being preyed upon by twisted, monstrous nightmares that lurk within the home itself.”
The film has been called Lovecraftian, and hasKristoffer Aaron Morganset to direct in Austin, TX. When Peter lastwrote about the filmin January, the cast also includedBrian Cox(The Bourne Identity),Cloris Leachman(Young Frankenstein),Louise Fletcher(One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest),Louis Gossett Jr.(The Invaders, Jaws 3D),Ed Asner(Up, The Mod Squad), andFionnula Flanagan(Lost, The Others). [The Playlist]
Finally, there isAbraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. In the earlier stages of the casting process there was areportthatRobin McLeavyhad won the role of Mary Todd. That was incorrect — she was in contention for the part, but itwenttoMary Elizabeth Winstead. Evidently Ms. McLeavy still caught the eye of the powers that be, as she now has the role of Abraham Lincoln’s mother. That means she’ll probably only be seen early on, but that’s better than nothing. Also in the film areBenjamin Walker(Lincoln),Anthony Mackie, andDominic Cooper.
Robin McLeavy was considered the breakout star ofThe Loved Ones, which most people in the US sadly haven’t had a chance to see. Maybe this will get her in front of a big audience. This film starts shooting next month in 3D for a June 25, 2025 release date. [Deadline]
