Casting Bits: Cameron Diaz In ‘What To Expect When You’re Expecting;’ Kelly Preston In ‘Gotti: Three Generations;’ Willem Dafoe In Abel Ferrara’s Latest
One of the most unappealing film projects being assembled right now is thecomedy versionof the baby-birthing manualWhat to Expect When You’re Expecting. The book is frequently called out as being alarmist and a poor lesson plan for expectant mothers, but why not use the very recognizable title (recognizable to the target audience, at least) to sell a movie? Not much different from what’s happening withAkira, really.
Cameron Diazis now looking like the lead for this particular movie, whichKirk Joneswill direct from a swcript byHeather HachandShauna Cross. The picture is meant as aLove Actually-style film in which five couples experience the joy and surprises of impending parenthood. The film will hit on Mother’s Day weekend next year — in other words, a year from today. [Deadline]
After the break, Kelly Preston becomes a mob wife and Willem Dafoe is in a mystery movie directed by Abel Ferrara.
Gotti: Three GenerationslostNick Cassavetesas director, but he was swiftlyreplacedbyBarry Levinson, who is just finishing up his small eco-thrillerThe Bay. With a shoot planned for later this year, Gotti is pulling together more cast, andKelly Prestonis now signing on to play Victoria Gotti. So she’ll play wife to John Gotti Sr., who will be played on screen byJohn Travolta. Not the weirdest on-screen ‘couple playing a couple’ we’ve ever seen, but given that their daughter will play the Gotti’s daughter, as well, it’s an unusual situation. Are we sure this is about organized crime and not Scientology? Is there a difference? (Zing!) [EW]
Finally, various briefreportsabout sales planned for Cannes include info aboutAbel Ferrara’s new film, called4:44 Last Day on Earth, which hasWillem Dafoestarring. Abel Ferrara (Bad Lieutenant,Chelsea on the Rocks) also wrote, and all we know about the script is that it reportedly is “a look at what would happen if everyone knew the world was ending.”
