In news that must surprise fans of either actor, two-time Academy Award winner Robert De Niro is hitting the road with “High School Musical” heartthrob Zac Efron in “Driving Dick Kelly.” Formerly “Dirty Grandpa,” “Driving Dick Kelly” is a buddy movie depicting a prurient senior citizen and his grandson, who he dupes into taking him to Florida for Spring Break. Jeff Bridges and Michael Douglas had both earlier been rumored to be circling the lusty grandfather role. De Niro, whose “Last Vegas” opened last year, also flexed his comedy muscles in the “Fockers” series, among others, while Efron just successfully reinvented himself in the comedy world with "Neighbors." Dan Mazer ("I Give It A Year") is slated to direct; John Phillips wrote the screenplay. [The Wrap]
Guy Pearce has been incredibly busy of late, and he’s not showing any signs of slowing down. The actor has just been cast along with Anthony LaPaglia and Kerry Fox, in director Neil Armfield’s “Holding the Man.” Based on Timothy Conigrave’s memoir, which screenwriter Tommy Murphy adapted into a play in 2006, the film follows the decade and a half relationship between two Australian men. Relative newcomers Ryan Corr and Craig Stott play the lovers. [Screen Daily]
Patricia Clarkson is poised to return to the small screen in HBO’s upcoming “Elisabeth.” Still in development, the project is a romantic drama set against the backdrop of international politics. Ruben Nadda will write and direct the pilot. Alan Poul —under who Clarkson won two Emmys for her work on “Six Feet Under”— will co-executive produce with Clarkson and Nadda. [THR]
Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong is turning to acting. The musician has already shot his first movie (discounting his cameo as himself in "This Is 40"), Frank Whaley’s "Like Sunday Like Rain," but has now signed on to play the lead role in "Geezer,‘ a comedy about an aging rocker whose family forget his birthday. Lee Kirk, who wrote and directed "The Giant Mechanical Man" a few years ago, is the man in charge. [Showbiz 411]