Casting Bits: Channing Tatum In 'Blood Brothers;' Chelsea Handler In 'Fun Size;' Ashley Hinshaw In 'Cherry'
Today's second casting break — possibly the latest in a series, given the density of news on that front lately — has three pretty divergent stories. After the break, you'll find info on the following trio:
There isn't a lot of info on the thriller pitch Blood Brothers, but Variety says that Sergei Bodrov and Eric Nazarian sold it to Chernin Entertainment, and will write the film; Sergei Bodrov is currently slated to direct. It is set in Russia, and based on an original idea.
Given that Channing Tatum has no shortage of possible projects (Peter Pan Begins; The Contortionist's Handbook, G.I. Joe 2, Love and Honor, Ion, and more), we'll be conservative in predicting that this one will move forward quickly.
And then there is Fun Size, the teen comedy from Paramount that features Victoria Justice under the direction of Josh Schwartz. Chelsea Handler will now play "the mother of a sarcastic teenage girl (Justice) who is forced to take her little brother trick-or-treating on Halloween, then loses him and must find him before their mother finds out." It is a classic setup, and possibly a fun film for the kids. Max Werner (The Colbert Report) scripted; the film shoots in Cleveland this summer.[THR]
Finally, the indie Cherry, which already boasts James Franco, Heather Graham, Lili Taylor and Dev Patel, has now got relative newcomer (and former Abercrombie and Fitch model) Ashley Hinshaw in the title role of a girl who gets caught up in the porn industry. Stephen Elliot is directing; he co-wrote the script with Lorelei Lee, a ten-year porn veteran who has emerged as an outspoken writer and interview subject on the topic of porn. Here's the plot: "A drama centered on a troubled young woman who moves to San Francisco, where she gets involved in pornography and aligns herself with a cocaine-addicted lawyer." [Variety]