Casting Bits: Alan Arkin in 'Argo;' James Badge Dale in 'World War Z;' Elodie Yung in 'G.I. Joe 2'
Posted on Friday, June 10th, 2011 by Russ Fischer
Ben Affleck bailed on acting in Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby in order to direct his third film, a picture called Argo. (Good choice!) The film is from a Chris Terrio script that follows a true-life story about a CIA effort to pull diplomats out of Tehran in 1979. The hook: they use a plan that has them posing as a Hollywood studio crew making a sci-fi film called Argo. (Much more background detail is here.)
The first piece of casting (other than Ben Affleck, who is taking a role) is now out: Alan Arkin will play Lester Siegel, the OSS agent turned film producer who is key to the plan. The role is described as "equal parts bookie and rabbi," in which case Alan Arkin is perfect. But then, when is he not close to perfect? George Clooney and Grant Heslov are producing the film, and if that conjures up images of the tone of Men Who Stare At Goats — another partially true military/political tale — then you're probably thinking along the right track. Only, let's hope, better. [Variety]
After the break, World War Z and the G.I. Joe sequel get new cast additions. Read More »
'Bad Boys II' Remains Michael Bay's Most Revealing (and Personal) Action Epic
'Deputy' Executive Producer David Ayer on Los Angeles, Crime, and Style [Interview]