Casting Round-Up with Emile Hirsch, Olivia Wilde, and John Goodman

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

First up in today's casting news, Emile Hirsch has joined the cast of JUST JIM, the directorial debut from SUBMARINE star Craig Roberts. At just 23 years old, Roberts is starting production on his first film that revolves around "a teenage loser whose life is turned around by the appearance of an enigmatic, handsome neighbor."

There is no word yet on who Hirsch will play, but I’m pretty sure "handsome neighbor" is likely listed on the dudes resume. He’s been one of my favorite actors since I saw THE DANGEROUS LIVES OF ALTAR BOYS and the criminally underrated comedy THE GIRL NEXT DOOR. Roberts is a great up and coming talent in front of the camera (scene stealer in NEIGHBORS), so this project has me intrigued to see what he can do while behind the scenes.

In Olivia Wilde news (that’s why you’re here I’m sure) she, Luke Wilson, Elisabeth Moss and Natasha Lyonne will star in the psychological drama MEADOWLAND reports Deadline. It’s another directorial debut, this time from award-winning cinematographer Reed Morano (THE SKELETON TWINS, KILL YOUR DARLINGS, FROZEN RIVER).

In MEADOWLAND, a couple, Sarah (Wilde) and David (Wilson) deal with the unthinkable in the wake of their son's disappearance. David, a New York City policeman, attempts a more traditional form of healing, only to lose his moral compass. Sarah goes down an unexpected path towards acceptance as she places herself in increasingly dangerous situations.

OK now for why you’re really here, John Goodman news. Everyone’s favorite TV dad and supporting movie star is in talks to join Bryan Cranston in Jay Roach's (THE CAMPAIGN) TRUMBO. Cranston will star in the flick as stand-out screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, whose career writing classics like SPARTACUS and ROMAN HOLIDAY came to a halt when he was blacklisted in Hollywood after refusing to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1947. He was forced to write under pseudonyms, winning two Oscars while blacklisted before he resumed his career using his own name.

Goodman would play film producer Frank King, whose production company hired Trumbo to write for them despite the fact that he'd been blacklisted. Helen Mirren will co-star as Hedda Hopper, the gossip columnist who went after Trumbo and supported his blacklisting. Goodman is fantastic in everything he does, and I expect he will bring his own touch of greatness to this role. I love a good Hollywood dramatization, and this sounds like a big one for Cranston that’s for sure. He’s well on his way to getting that EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) as all he needs now is an Oscar and a Grammy.

Do you think he'll get them at some point?