Casting Notes: Jon Hamm In Kristen Wiig Comedy; Ciarán Hinds And Toby Jones In The Rite; Casting Call For David Chase's Musical

Since the great success of Mad Men, we've been waiting to see Jon Hamm break into movies in a huge way, but with the show still going, he's primarily taken supporting roles. He's shot parts for a couple forthcoming projects, like Ben Affleck's The Town, and Sucker Punch and Howl. Now he's in talks for the currently untitled wedding comedy that Kristen Wiig wrote and will star in.

Also in talks are Dianne Wiest (lately of In Treatment, in addition to many classic Woody Allen films and more) and Matt Lucas (Little Britain, Alice in Wonderland). Judd Apatow is producing and Paul Feig is directing. Between that re-teaming and the fact that this could be Wiig's biggest project to date, this was already worth paying attention to. With Hamm and Wiest, it could get even better. [Production Weekly]

After the break, a trio of excellent names for the exorcism film The Rite, and an open casting call for the new David Chase feature project.

We've talked about The Rite a couple of times before — it's the film starring Anthony Hopkins that will adapt the 'real-world exorcism' book of the same title by Matt Baglio. Colin O'Donoghue of The Tudors co-stars, and the film is being directed by Mikael Hafstrom from a script by Michael Petroni.

Now three more actors have signed on: Ciarán Hinds, Toby Jones and Alice Braga. All good hires, especially Hinds, whom I never tire of watching. (And after The Mist, it is difficult not to love Toby Jones, too.) We don't know where these three fit into the story of "a priest (Hopkins) who is an expert in exorcisms and whose methods are not necessarily traditional," and the seminary student (O'Donoghue) who apprentices with him. [Screen Daily]

Finally, Paramount Pictures will be holding a casting call in New York City this Saturday for actors interested in appearing in David Chase's untitled upcoming 'coming of age rock drama' that we reported on not too long ago. Here's the call, from Paramount.

Paramount Pictures will hold an open casting call in New York City on May 8, 2010. The studio is seeking three males between the ages of 18-25 years old for the lead roles in a new Paramount Vantage feature film directed by David Chase, shooting Fall 2010. Previous acting experience is welcome, but not required. Musical experience is a plus.

David Chase, the creator and producer of the multi-Emmy and Golden Globe winning critically acclaimed series The Sopranos, will make his feature film directing debut for Paramount Vantage with this music-driven coming of age story set in 1960's suburbia.

THE ROLES:

DOUGLAS: A high school student of Italian descent. Douglas is not very athletic, very much in the background at school. He is heavily influenced by the blues and by bands like The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and The Yardbirds. He becomes the drummer/back up vocalist of his friends' band.

WELLS: An artistic, upper class guitarist for the band. Wells is probably the most intelligent of the group.

RONNY: Quite different from Douglas, Ronny is athletic, unpredictable and the "King Rocker" in his small town. He is the lead singer of their band.