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Casting Tidbits: Lenny Kravitz, Benedict Cumberbatch & Ari Graynor

by Ethan Anderton
May 24, 2011

Off the top of my head, I'd say you're looking at a Boeski, a Jim Brown, a Miss Daisy, two Casting Tidbits and a Leon Spinks, not to mention the biggest Ella Fitzgerald ever. First up, Lionsgate has announced that Lenny Kravitz has landed a role in Gary Ross' anticipated adaptation of The Hunger Games. We heard Kravitz had been offered a role previously, but there was no word on his character. Now it's been revealed that he will play Cinna, the fashion stylist to Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) for the ceremonial lead up to The 74th Annual Hunger Games. He's mild-mannered but his designs are show-stopping. Read on!

Second, BBC Entertainment reporter Lizo revealed on Twitter (via TheOneRing.net) that The Hobbit star Martin Freeman had revealed that Benedict Cumberbatch had also joined the cast of Peter Jackson's return to Middle-Earth. If you don't recognize his name, then you need to check out Cumberbatch and Freeman in the BBC's series "Sherlock," a fantastic contemporary version of the classic detective. To get a better idea of Cumberbatch's talents, you can check out the series on Netflix Instant right here. Otherwise, we're not sure what character he'll play in The Hobbit, though he looks like he might fit in as an elf. We'll have to wait and see.

Next, Variety reports Emma Roberts, Ari Graynor and Chris Messina have joined the cast of the romantic comedy Celeste and Jesse Forever. Starring Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg as the titular couple, the story follows a young divorcing couple who try to maintain their long-standing friendship while living together and pursuing other relationships. Roberts will play a starlet who, when her career sags, helps Celeste come out of her shell by hiring her to revamp her image. Messina plays a financial analyst who helps Celeste get over Jesse, while Graynor will play Celeste's best friend from college who's uncomfortable with her unusual arrangement. Lee Toland Krieger (The Vicious Kind) is directing from a script by Jones and Will McCormack

Finally, more minor casting bits for The Dark Knight Rises have come to the surface as Variety reports Brett Cullen and Chris Ellis have both landed parts in Christopher Nolan's conclusion to his Batman franchise. Both actors appeared in Apollo 13, but more recently Cullen has appeared in Ghost Rider and "Lost" while Ellis has appeared in Transformers and Live Free or Die Hard. In The Dark Knight Rises, Cullen will play a judge while Ellis will play a priest. They probably won't have much time on screen, but obviously we have to know every single cast member from the film or nothing will feel right ever again.

That's all for this edition of Casting Tidbits. Be sure to stay tuned for even more casting news on the way.

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