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Clooney Directing Hoffman, Giamatti, Pine in 'Farragut North'?

by Alex Billington
August 31, 2010
Source: Vulture

Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Chris Pine

Talk about a dream cast. There's a project we first mentioned in a list of other projects back when George Clooney left Warner Bros and signed a deal to develop at Sony instead. It's called Farragut North and is a feature adaptation of Beau Willimon's critically acclaimed play, set during the Iowa primary presidential race. We haven't heard anything about it since, but Vulture now says that Clooney may be getting behind the camera to direct, once again, and he's planning to start shooting next February. Who is he lining up to star? Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, and potentially Chris Pine, if everything comes together.

Nothing is actually signed an official yet, apparently Clooney is "in negotiations" now for a distribution deal, which will get things moving first. He's still only planning to offer the role to Chris Pine, so Pine is definitely not signed. The role he wants him for is a "twentysomething presidential campaign spinmeister/wunderkind named Stephen Myers" as we follow the "dirty pool he plays to get his candidate the nomination against a rival senator." He actually played the same exact part in the Los Angeles version of the stage play last year. Philip Seymour Hoffman has agreed to play "Myers's hard-bitten veteran boss on the trail" and Giamatti is set to play the campaign manager of the rival candidate. Interesting casting choices, but I love this line-up!

In addition to those, Clooney also has an offer out to Evan Rachel Wood and Marisa Tomei for separate roles, and may even show up in a small role in the film himself. Interestingly, the key presidential candidate isn't even seen during the stage play and is a "minor character" in the script, which was originally written by playwright Beau Willimon himself. Sony Pictures won't be producing the project, so Clooney is developing it as an indie instead, with his own external financing. It's a very interesting concept and I'm most intrigued by the cast more than anything, so I hope he pulls this together by next year. We'll definitely keep you updated!

Related categories: Casting, Movie News, Opinions

Cracky

This is fantastic news. I think I drooled a little.
Colt

two of my favorite actors (PSH and Giamatti), this could be great
Xerxex

best news ever.
Anne

Oh, God! Please Seymour Hoffman, Giamatti and Marisa Tomei together!!!
Keith

!!
beavis

it's a potentially great cast. i like the movie idea too - especially with the presidential candidate being a minor player...........if it's a dirty "behind the scenes" type movie - i'm all in!l
Corran Horn

Beavis: from what I've heard about the play, I think you'll enjoy this. I'm not sure if there's a book version of the play, but if there is, I'll definitely have to read it. Originally, DiCaprio was going to have the role that is being offered to Pine. Did he drop out when Clooney left WB?
beavis

thanks, corran.............appreciate the info.
Corran Horn

Apparently, if Chris Pine is cast, he would be reprising the role he played on stage (which I did not know), and from what I've heard, he's been great at it.