Stephen Baldwin Blames Religion for Lack of Film Opportunities

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Casting, Celebrity Gossip,

Stephen Baldwin thinks his strong religious faith has had a negative impact on his career.

The 47-year-old actor, who avoided going to jail earlier this year after reaching a deal to pay back a $350,000 tax bill in installments, believes his outspokenness about being a born-again Christian "creeped" casting directors out over the past 10 years, but hopes his new movie will turn things around for him.

The I'm in Love with a Church Girl star told Fox News, "I ran into an old friend of mine - very high-profile casting director - a couple years ago who said to me, 'Look, I just want to say I'm sorry because I've brought your name up in the room a couple times and they were like ' you've got to be kidding.' I just think that probably when somebody calls themselves born again and kind of goes out there in a pretty radically zealous way, professes their glee about that, it can creep people out. I have no regret about that, but I have chilled out a lot more because I'm a little more seasoned as a Christian believer."

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Jennifer Lopez Quits ‘The 33’ Over Jealousy?

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Drama, Casting, Celebrity Gossip, Rumors,

Jennifer Lopez has reportedly quit a movie because producers refused to only cast actresses less attractive than her.

The 44-year-old star is said to have dropped out of The 33 - based on the true story of the trapped Chilean miners - after bosses wouldn't agree to cut people for being "too sexy." A source told the Daily Star, "J-Lo kept going through the hundreds of casting photos and whenever she spotted a female who looked too sexy she'd slash a big, black X across their face."

The singer-and-actress has a reputation as a demanding star, but in the past she has hit back at claims she is a diva. "I think people love to look at them [riders] and go, 'Oh my God she wants M&M'S ... she's crazy!' I think everyone has their list of things that make you feel comfortable ... like a certain kind of potato chip or water. I think the crazy ones are made up," she recently said.

Jennifer has even admitted she felt "insecure" about her career, taking a while to accept that she deserved her success: "I was always so insecure. Then I grew, little by little, and realized, wait a minute, this is not a fluke. I'm not a mistake - I work my ass off. And I know what I'm doing."

Taylor Swift Open to Acting Roles

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Casting, Celeb News,

Taylor Swift is open to more acting roles in the future.

The "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" singer has already played parts on the big and small screen - she has appeared in Valentine's Day, New Girl and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - and she has admitted she wouldn't rule out more in the future if the ideal project "came along."

"That's always something that's in the back of my mind, if the right thing came along."

While the 23-year-old star is open to the possibility of furthering her acting career, music remains her true passion and she insisted it would have to be an "amazing" offer to tempt her away from being a working musician. "It would have to be something so amazing that it would take me away from writing songs and touring, which would have to be an incredible script," she added.

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Daniel Radcliffe Wasn’t Interested in ‘Fifty Shades’ Role

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: FOCUS, Adaptation, Romance, Casting, Celebrity Gossip, Upcoming Releases,

Daniel Radcliffe wasn't interested in being cast in Fifty Shades of Grey.

The Harry Potter star had no desire to play male lead Christian Grey in the film adaptation of E.L James' erotic novel and is pretty sure film fans didn't want him over Charlie Hunnam either, who has been cast in the role.

Speaking at the Toronto International Film Festival, he told MTV News, "I literally had someone say to me for the first time today, 'The world's in uproar you're not playing Christian Grey.' And I'm like, 'If this is uproar, it's inaudible.'"

The 23-year-old actor doesn't think he would have been able to convincingly portray the BDSM obsessed businessman character and it would have only hurt his career if he'd been cast. "I have to say, no offense to anybody, I'm sure they're going to do a great job on the movie, but it's not something that I think of would have been a good next step for me," he added.

Ben Affleck Tests Batman Voice on Wife

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Drama, Science Fiction, Sequels, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases,

Ben Affleck has been testing out his Batman voice on Jennifer Garner.

The star has been cast as The Caped Crusader alongside Superman in the sequel to Man of Steel and has been perfecting his superhero voice on his actress spouse.

When asked if she has heard him practiCing for his role by MTV News, Jennifer replied, "I hear every voice."

Ben has proved a controversial choice to play the DC Comics character, but Jennifer is confident he will bring something new to the famous role - most recently played by Christian Bale in The Dark Knight trilogy. "You know, I was excited for him [being cast]. I was excited because he had a real take on what he wanted to do, and you know, I have to say, my husband is a pretty great storyteller himself, and I'm excited to watch him do it," she added.

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Robert Pattinson Cast in ‘Life’

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Biopics, Drama, Period, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases,

Robert Pattinson will star as a magazine photographer in Life

The Twilight Saga actor will appear as Dennis Stock in the new movie - based on a true story - which looks at the cameraman's friendship with actor James Dean. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Robert will star opposite Dane DeHaan as the Life magazine photographer, and work on the film is expected to start in 2014.

The real-life pair met shortly before James rose to fame with movies like East of Eden and Rebel Without a Cause, and Dennis took several iconic photographs of the legendary actor shortly before he became a star.

He has also been rumored to be set for Queen of the Desert, which will tell the story of Gertrude Bell and T.E. Lawrence. However, would-be co-star Naomi Watts has admitted she isn't sure when the Werner Herzog will start filming: "We'll wait and see. He's a director I'm completely in awe of. He's a wonderful filmmaker and documentarian. It's a fantastic character, great story. I'm not sure when it's going to take place yet; there's been so much travel, as well, and I've got little kids, so we'll see if it happens later this year or next year."

Michelle Williams Heading to Broadway

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Drama, Musicals, Remakes, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases,

Michelle Williams will make her Broadway debut next March.

The 32-year-old actress, who has been nominated for an Oscar three times, is set to star as Sally Bowles opposite acclaimed British actor Alan Cumming, 48, in a new production of Cabaret. Roundabout Theater Company confirmed on Wednesday that the Brokeback Mountain star has signed on for a 24-week run and previews will begin on March 21, 2014 at the Kit Kat Klub at Studio 54 on Broadway in New York.

Skyfall director Sam Mendes will helm the production for the second time after originally reviving the show in 1993, which also starred Alan. "I'm delighted to be stepping back into the Kit Kat Klub one more time, and to be having the opportunity to re-explore and re-discover this extraordinary musical alongside two equally extraordinary performers," he said in a statement.

The show will begin its official run on April 24.

Robert Pattinson Was Close to ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ Role?

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: FOCUS, Adaptation, Romance, Casting, Celebrity Gossip, Rumors, Upcoming Releases,

Robert Pattinson was E.L. James' choice for Fifty Shades of Grey, according to Bret Easton Ellis.

He has claimed the author behind the erotic novel wanted the former Twilight Saga star to play the lead in the upcoming movie adaptation. "Talked to E.L. James at a party over the summer: her first choice for Christian was Rob Pattinson and Matt Bomer was never in the running," he wrote on Twitter.

The screenwriter - who penned the script for The Canyons - also said he drunkenly suggested porn star James Deen for the lead role after he impressed in the noir thriller. "When E.L. James asked me who I thought should be Christian I said, 'James Deen, of course,' and then she shoved me. We were both very wasted," he added.

Earlier today, it was confirmed that Charlie Hunnam has been cast in the role. E.L. James announced in a series of tweets: "Good moaning all. Hold on to your hats ... I am delighted to let you know that the lovely Dakota Johnson has agreed to be our Anastasia in the film adaptation of Fifty ... So... Christian... The gorgeous and talented Charlie Hunnam will be Christian Grey in the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey. (sic)"

Ben Affleck to Star as Batman in ‘Man of Steel’ Sequel

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Science Fiction, Sequels, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases,

Whether you want to remember him for directing Argo or acting in Gigli, Ben Affleck has been chosen as the next actor to play Batman.

Taking the black cape and bat-eared costume from Christian Bale, who portrayed the Dark Knight in Christopher Nolan's recent Batman trilogy, Affleck will appear in the upcoming sequel to Zack Snyder's Man of Steel. Snyder released a statement announcing Affleck's casting:

"Ben provides an interesting counter-balance to Henry [Cavill]'s Superman. He has the acting chops to create a layered portrayal of a man who is older and wiser than Clark Kent and bears the scars of a seasoned crime fighter, but retains the charm that the world sees in billionaire Bruce Wayne. I can't wait to work with him."

The film - tentatively titled Batman vs. Superman - is expected to be released July 2015 with production beginning in 2014.

Read More | USA Today

Ethan Hawke to Play Macbeth

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Classics, Drama, Casting, Celeb News,

Ethan Hawke will play Macbeth on Broadway.

The 42-year-old actor has been confirmed as taking the leading role in the Shakespeare tragedy. The female lead playing Lady Macbeth has yet to be confirmed.

Ethan will reunite with director Jack O'Brien at Lincoln Center Theater, where he has previously starred productions of The Coast of Utopia - earning him a Tony nomination in 2007 - and Henry IV. Ethan is also currently riding high as the star of The Purge - which topped the box office last weekend - as well as playing the lead in highly anticipated romantic drama Before Midnight, the sequel to Before Sunrise and Before Sunset.

The actor recently admitted he often questions his stardom and feels "guilty" as he thinks he deserves the attention he receives from fans. "You know in your heart of hearts that you're special only like every human being is special, so you don't know why you're getting all this attention and you feel guilty about it. What you feel guilty about is the feeling that some part of you thinks you deserve it 'cos it feels good. And it's a weird snake that's eating it's own tail."