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Casting Tidbits: Irrfan Khan, Sofia Vergara and Alan Cumming

by Ethan Anderton
December 9, 2010

No I will not make out with you. Did ya hear that? This girl wants to make out with me in the middle of class. You got Casting Tidbits Man up there talking about God knows what and all she can talk about is making out with me. I'm here to learn, everybody, not to make out with you. Go on with the Casting Tidbits. First, Variety reports Irrfan Khan (Slumdog Millionaire), Gerard Depardieu (Mesrine) and Adil Hussain (Calendar Girls) have joined the cast of the adaptation of Life of Pi for director Ang Lee. Khan will play an old version of the titular character while Hussain will play his father. Meanwhile Depardieu is set to play "The Chef."

Second, THR reports the lovely Sofia Vergara ("Modern Family") and Jessica Biel (The A-Team) are in discussions to join the growing ensemble cast for New Year's Eve, the pseudo-sequel to the ensemble romantic comedy Valentine's Day. Director Garry Marshall, who also helmed the romantic February film, is behind the camera for this story that follows a group of New Yorkers as they navigate their way through romance over the course of New Year's Eve. Biel will play a pregnant woman who, along with her husband, try to win a cash prize given by a hospital to the couple who are first to give birth on New Year's Day. She's actually the second talent from Valentine's Day to have a part in New Year's Eve after Ashton Kutcher landed a role alongside Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer. This should bring plenty of couples to the movie theaters with its timely release in late 2011.

Next, THR reports Alan Cumming (X2: X-Men United) has a new project after being extremely under utilized in the half-ass musical Burlesque. The actor revealed he's starring in a film called Maladies with James Franco, Claire Danes (Temple Grandin) and Catherine Keener (Cyrus). The film is directed by an artist named Carter who has been collaborating with Franco recently. Cumming says he only has a small part in the story which centers on a successful actor who retires at a young age due to what is believed to be a mental illness. Could be quite an interesting little drama.

Finally, Deadline reports Carey Mulligan will join Michael Fassbender in the indie drama Shame from director Steve McQueen (Hunger). The film is said to examine the nature of need, how people live their lives and react to the experiences that shape them. It's not clear what role Mulligan will have but Fassbender is playing Brandon, a 30-something man living in New York who is unable to manage his sex life. The film will begin shooting in January, so she has plenty of time to complete the project before moving on to Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of The Great Gatsby.

Well, that's all for this edition of Casting Tidbits. Be sure to stay tuned for more casting updates on the way.

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