Monday Morning Mixer: Cumberbatch rumored for 'Star Wars' plus more rumblings
Posted Monday, September 2, 2013 at 2:07 PM Central
Last updated Monday, September 2, 2013 at 2:08 PM Central
by Tim Briscoe
It may be Labor Day but it's also a Monday which means there's work to be done around here. Since I'm doing my regular Monday tasks I figured I'd might as well offer up a Monday Morning Mixer, albeit an abbreviated one.
Last week I teased a switcheroo for this update but I forgot about the holiday and sort of ran out of time. So, you can expect a change-up for next week's MMM edition. I'm 86.3% positive.
The biggest news item to come from the weekend is merely a rumor but it's a pretty big rumor. Film Chronicles reports that Benedict Cumberbatch will be cast in Star Wars Episode VII. Cumberbatch played You-know-who in director JJ Abrams' Star Trek Into Darkness. The source points to Benedict's not-so-coincidental departure from Guillermo del Toro's upcoming horror movie Crimson Peak.
Film Chronicles doesn't have any insight on Cumberbatch's potential Star Wars role. He could be a Jedi. He could be a Sith. Personally, I think the British actor would be well served as a posh Imperial officer. Surely the remaining Imperials didn't just pack up and go home after their defeat in Return of the Jedi.
Along with this rumor is the claim that we'll get some type of official casting announcement very soon. Bleeding Cool points to hearsay revolving Dane DeHaan and none other than Leonardo DiCaprio.
Imminent news from the Disney/Lucasfilm camp does make sense. They've got to get this ball rolling if they hope to make a summer winter 2015 release date.
Don't Casting Agents Take Off for Labor Day?
There is more casting news for you to feast on this holiday. First up is the official announcement regarding 50 Shades of Grey's leads. Dakota Johnson (daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson) is set to play Anastasia Steele while Charlie Hunnam will take the role of Christian Grey. The news came from author EL James via the official Facebook page for the movie. The adaptation of the raunchy, best-selling book is set for release on Aug. 1, 2014.
According to Variety, Kurt Russell is in talks to join the ensemble cast of Fast and the Furious 7. The franchise that shows no signs of running out of gas recently signed Tony Jaa and UFC star Ronda Rousey for roles. Jason Statham is already known to be the villain for this one. F&F7 hits theaters on July 11, 2014.
That About Does It
I told you this one would be short. Let's reconvene next Monday for another edition of MMM. It will be quote-worthy fun, I 86.3% promise! Until then, mix well!