WOW. It's been a really good week. A truck load of news this week. Too much in fact. Thought I'd save one or two stories but I check in today and see theres a whole bunch of new stuff. Theres good news, bad news, bizarre news and also some eye candy. I'll go with casting news in this post.


Wow casting news on FOUR movies. The movies being, Protection, The Girl with the Red Riding Hood, Jeff Who Lives at Home and Arthur.

1. Protection:

Story centers on a disgraced former Special Forces soldier who must take on a war of Mexican gangs in an attempt to rescue a judge’s daughter.

The lead role was supposed to have gone to Clive Owen, but they just changed it and gave it to Dwayne Johnson. It's good to see him finally back in an action role. One that doesn't involve his only his CGI head on a scorpion's body. Somehow I don't think it'll do very well. Plot sounds VERY familiar doesn't it? Go watch a Steven Segal movie or something and you'd probably find the same thing.

2. The Girl with the Red Riding Hood:

In a gothic reimagining of "Little Red Riding Hood," a girl tries to uncover the true identity of the wolf that’s been terrorizing her village for the two decades. She must also resolve her feelings for her wealthy fiance and the town’s bad boy.

In this one, the lead character will be played by Amanda Seyfried of Jennifer's Body while Shiloh Fernandez of TV series 'The United States of Tara' is set to play the woodcutter, who happens to be the love interest of Amanda Seyfried's character. Her wealthy fiance will be played by Max Irons, son of actor, Jeremy Irons. Apparently Gary Oldman and Julie Christie, both of whom were in the third installment of the Harry Potter films as Sirius Black and Madam Rosmerta respectively, are in talks to join the cast.

3. Arthur:

A boozy playboy rascal is set to inherit a fortune if he marries an heiress his family thinks will make something out of him. However, he falls in love with a working-class woman and turns to his valet for help when his family makes him choose between money and love.

Now this is the bizarre news I was talking about. Ever thought you'd see Helen Mirren and Russell Brand side by side in the same movie? Neither did I. Apparently Helen Mirren is still in talks and it's not a done deal yet. Meryl Streep has also been linked to this movie though. This is a remake of the 1981 comedy which starred Dudley Moore.

4. Jeff, Who Lives at Hoome:

Two brothers, one of whom is going through a mid-life crisis and believes his wife (Greer) is having an affair. The other is a lovable loser who still lives with his mom (Sarandon). One day, the two brothers set out to spy on the wife, with all sorts of unintended consequences.

I couldn't find an official plot summary but just by looking at the casting, it looks like it'll be a pretty good comedy. The film features Jason Segel from TV's How I Met Your Mother and Ed Helms, from the incredibly funny movie - The Hangover. Now, Susan Sarandon and Judy Greer are set to join the cast. Judy Greer will play the wife of Ed Helm's character while Susan Sarandon will play the two brothers' mother. Judy Greer will be appearing in 'Marmaduke' which is out this June.