Jonathan Demme‘s last mainstream picture to grace the silver screen was 2008’s much celebrated “Rachel Getting Married,” the film that solidified Anne Hathaway as a “serious actress.” Since then, the helmer has busied himself with a host of documentaries, though he does have the Ibsen play adaptation “A Master Builder,” starring Wallace Shawn, opening on July 23rd in New York. Before that film sees the light of day, however, comes news of Demme’s next picture, titled “Come Sunday,” a look into the world of evangelical preachers—and he’s got an ever-reliable thespian and a living legend in talks to star. Jeffrey Wright would take the lead, portraying Carlton Pearson, former pastor of the one largest churches in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After publicly doubting the existence of Hell and promoting universal reconciliation, Pearson was ousted and became a pariah to the point that he was branded a heretic by his peers. This looks like a juicy part and certainly Wright can do justice to it. Joining him may be Robert Redford, who is in talks to play the late, enormously popular evangelist Oral Roberts. The prospect of Demme tackling a potentially firebrand subject is admittedly exciting—this is one to keep an eye on. [The Hollywood Reporter]
Ben Schwartz of “Parks and Recreation” and Showtime‘s guilty pleasure “House of Lies” will take part in Robert Zemeckis‘ upcoming as-of-yet untitled Philippe Petit biopic. You may recall Petit’s claim to fame, as explored in James Marsh‘s 2008 Academy Award winning doc “Man on Wire,” was a daring wire-walk between the Twin Towers in 1974. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is set to play Petit while Schwartz will play Albert, a co-conspirator critical of the undertaking. It’s safe to say the film, based on Petit’s memoir “To Reach the Clouds,” will focus on the stunt that made Petit the most famous high-wire artist in the world. Ben Kingsley, James Badge Dale, Charlotte LeBon and Steve Valentine will co-star in the film, set for release on October 2, 2015. Did we mention it’ll be in 3D? [The Wrap]
As Hollywood hungers for the next young-adult franchise, sci-fi picture “The Fifth Wave,” starring Chloë Grace Moretz, is looking to attract young thesps with potential. Tye Sheridan, Nick Robinson and Mitchell Hope are the trio set to test with Moretz, here playing a human survivor of four cataclysmic alien attacks searching for her brother. Based on the Rick Yancey novel, director J. Blakeson (“The Disappearance of Alice Creed“) is set to helm, while Susannah Grant will pen the adapted script. [Variety]
Fans of intermittently charming, inoffensive crooners rejoice—Skylar Astin will reprise Jesse in the upcoming “Pitch Perfect 2,” the sequel to 2012 surprise breakout. Astin joins Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson and the rest of the cast making their return in Elizabeth Banks‘ directorial debut. The first film was fun if not especially memorable and the chemistry between Astin and Kendrick erred on the right side of endearing. The sequel is set to make your man boobs concave on May 15, 2015. [Deadline]
Lastly, Vincent Cassel will star in Carlos Diegues‘ “The Great Mystical Circus,” a Brazilian art film tracing a century of trials and tribulations for one circus-owning family. Cassel will play Jean-Paul, who attempts to sell the circus. The ambition here is palpable and we hope the film, which will go into production in September, will bow on the Croisette next year. [Variety]