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Zac Efron & Marcia Gay Harden Lead JFK Assassination Film 'Parkland'

by Ben Pearson
December 19, 2012

The assassination of President John F. Kennedy is one of the most iconic moments in American history, fueled largely by the controversy and conspiracy theories surrounding it. Tons of films and documentaries have devoted hours to exploring this topic - including Oliver Stone's star-studded 1991 movie JFK - and now a new movie called Parkland is telling the story of what happened on that fateful day just in time for the event's fiftieth anniversary. A press release reveals Zac Efron, Marcia Gay Harden, Paul Giamatti, Billy Bob Thorton, and Silver Linings Playbook actress Jacki Weaver have all signed to star. Read on!

The movie will tell the "dramatic true story of the chaotic events that occurred at Parkland Hospital in Dallas on the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22nd, 1963." First time filmmaker Peter Landesman is stepping behind the camera and directing his own screenplay, which is based on Vincent Bugliosi's book Reclaiming History: The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Since this is his directorial debut, it's tough to know what to expect from Landesman, but the fact that he's locked down a hell of a cast, including two Oscar nominees and two winners, is pretty damn impressive.

Also impressive? The fact that Tom Hanks and his Playtone company are producing this film. Filming begins soon in Austin, Texas, and the film is aiming for a 2013 release. Sounds like the angle of revisiting this tragic event through the environment of the hospital could be enough to separate it from all the other JFK movies out there, and we're hoping the talent involved can make this one stand out. Interested?

Filed under Casting, Movie News

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