Casting

JULIA GARNER IS THE MATERIAL GIRL

To no one’s surprise, Julia Garner (Ozark) has been cast to play Madonna in the Universal biopic of her life- and she was cast BY Madonna. It was no easy casting process. All actresses under consideration for the role were put through complex dance, acting, and singing sessions, often under Madonna’s watchful eye. (She IS directing the film) Garner was already a frontrunner because she resembles Madonna, but she had to prove she can sing and dance like her also. And you KNOW Madonna has high standards for herself. We can’t help but wonder which actors will be cast by Madonna to play her long list of boyfriends (Tony Ward, Dennis Rodman, Carlos Leon etc) – and will she FALL for one of them?

Photo: Marie Claire

NO KIDDING – CHRIS HEMSWORTH IS PLAYING HULK HOGAN IN LIFE STORY!

Hulk Hogan must be flattered beyond belief that Chris Hemsworth has been cast to play him in an upcoming biographical film for Joker director Todd Phillips. It has to be the WORST casting choice in memory! Can you imagine the Sexiest Man Alive playing loudmouth wrestler Hulk Hogan? Not only will Chris have to bulk up on dangerous anabolic steroids to even APPROACH Hogan’s 300 pound unnatural frame and enlarged jaw, he will have to SHAVE HIS HEAD (except around the edges) and bleach it white to match the awful mustache. What a waste! Why hire one of the best looking men in Hollywood to play this wrestler? There are PLENTY of unattractive actors available! We can only imagine that producers hired Chris in hopes of attracting women to see the film…

WATCH OUT! HERE COMES PAUL RUDD AS ANT-MAN!

It so happens we’ve been invaded by streams of those pesky ants this winter and their aggressiveness and numbers can be intimidating. It took three visits from the exterminator to chase most of them away. Coincidentally, Paul Rudd, now appearing in Anchorman 2, has been cast as the biochemist who can change his size and tell ants what to do. Ant-Man first appeared in Marvel Comics in 1969 as the tiniest of The Avengers. It sounds like it will be funny and loaded with special effects.

WILL TOM CRUISE AND BRAD PITT AGREE TO COSTAR AGAIN?

Tom Cruise has agreed to play car designer Carroll Shelby in the racing movie “Go Like Hell” – it’s the story of the competition between the Ford Motor Company and Italian sports car designer Enzo Ferrari which peaked at the 1966 Le Mans race. Brad expressed interest in the project before Tom signed on. Brad’s last acting experience with Tom was in 1994 when they costarred in Anne Rice’s “Interview With The Vampire” (photo above) and Brad described it as a “miserable experience” but not necessarily because of Tom. Brad was quoted at the time as saying he and Tom were “like North pole and South pole” (opposites) and that Tom was “always coming at you with a handshake.” We remember writing that Tom requested a box to stand on so he’d look as tall as Brad in their scenes together. Pairing them up again after all these years could be QUITE interesting…

ELTON JOHN CHOSE TOM HARDY TO STAR IN HIS LIFE STORY

The mystery is solved. We were STAGGERED when we heard that hunkalicious Tom Hardy was cast to star in Elton John’s life story called Rocketman. Of ALL people! This is far bigger casting news than “Fifty Shades of Grey.” The dangerously handsome Hardy usually plays a tough guy or villain so this is really a stretch for him. Plus, he’s got a full head of hair! We couldn’t IMAGINE whose bright idea this was so we did a little research and learned that Elton and his husband David Furnish are producing the movie and THEY decided Hardy was perfect for the role! The two of them must be giggling their heads off somewhere…

Photo: Richard Phibbs

THE OSCAR PISTORIUS MURDER CASE: MOVIES ARE IN THE WORKS

The Oscar Pistorius murder case is a long way from going to trial, but already scripts are being hurriedly written, and casting is in discussion. South African sports hero Oscar shot and killed his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp and claimed he thought she was an “intruder.” It’s been speculated that the baby-faced Oscar could be perfectly portrayed by equally boyish Ryan Gosling. And Charlize Theron has been suggested for the role of the beautiful but tragic Reeva, although we think a younger actress like Blake Lively would be more appropriate. It will be interesting to follow this case as it works it’s way through the legal system and more facts are revealed.

GEORGE CLOONEY AS STEVE JOBS? NO WAY!

Sorry, but we cannot in our wildest dreams imagine casting George Clooney to star in the Steve Jobs life story. George is a decent actor but we cannot forget that he’s not only movie star handsome but a smooth ladies man – and was never a nerd. Since Sony bought the rights to the Apple mogul’s story, George seems to be the most serious contender – the challenge is playing Jobs both young and older. But there are many better choices. How about Andy Samberg or Christian Bale? We think Ryan Gosling might be perfect. How about Matthew Modine, Michael Cera, or Adrian Brody? What’s YOUR opinion?