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Justin Long Joins Robert Redford's Lincoln Film The Conspirator

by Ethan Anderton
October 14, 2009

Hi, I'm a Mac and THR reports I'm joining the cast of Robert Redford's upcoming historical drama The Conspirator. That's right folks, the mouthpiece for Apple computers and comedic actor Justin Long is stepping back from the jokes to take on a more dramatic role. Robin Wright Penn is already set to play the title character Mary Surratt, alleged conspirator of Abraham Lincoln assassin John Wilkes Booth, while James McAvoy will play Frederick Aiken, a young war hero who reluctantly comes to defend Surratt. Long takes on the role of a soldier who lost a limb in the Civil War and is Aiken's best friend and conscience.

I've always enjoyed seeing comedic actors step into the world of drama and vice versa (Jim Carrey being my favorite example). This will undoubtedly be a challenge for Long who has the market cornered on snarky computer salesmanship, but hasn't exactly stretched his dramatic chops other than his work in horror films like Drag Me to Hell or the Jeepers Creepers films. And since I've yet to see any of his performances in the horror genre, I can't comment as to the quality of his work in them (although most seemed to enjoy Drag Me to Hell). We'll see how he does once cameras start rolling when production begins this month in Georgia.

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