Casting Notes: Jamie Foxx Reunites With Robert Downey Jr; Josh Brolin Steps In For Sean Penn
Two pretty tasty bits of casting today. First up, it’s that big reunion of the cast fromThe Soloistwe’ve all been waiting for!Jamie Foxxhas joined the cast ofDue Date, the next movie fromTodd Phillips. That’ll put him back in the frame withRobert Downey Jr., and this time in a matchup that people might actually want to see. Because the Oscar-baitySoloistis well and good, but seeing the two bounce off each other in a comedy sounds a lot more appealing. Though we may not see too much of Foxx and Downey together, as he plays “Downey’s longtime pal, who once dated his wife (Michelle Monaghan) and secretly keeps in touch with her.” Ruh-roh.Due Datehas RDJ as a high-strung guy trying to get home in time for the birth of his child, which pushes him to hitch a ride with a slacker (Zach Galifianakis). Hijinks ensue. [THR]
After the break, whyJosh Brolinis better thanSean Penn.
Ok, joking. Josh Brolin isn’t better than Penn. They’re completely different talents, though at this point I have a much better time watching Josh. (The two worked beautifully together inMilk, however; that was a fantastic pairing.)
Back in June the future of a film calledCartelwasleft in doubtwhen Sean Penn took a sabbatical from acting to focus on family issues. (The same event pulled him out ofThe Three Stooges, making way for Paul Giamatti tostep in, assuming the film happens at all.) Now Brolin has been cast in Penn’s place, and Cartel’s show will go on.Ghosts of Cité Soleilwriter/director/cinematographerAsger Lethwill direct the film, which follows Brolin as a man out to protect his son after his wife is murdered by Mexican drug cartels. The film shoots in Mexico in January. No other major cast members have been announced, but with Brolin on board expect that to change very soon. [Variety]
