I have a couple of excellent casting updates for you this morning. Johnny Depp's Whitey Bulger biopic BLACK MASS had a rough start (with the star leaving the project at one point), but things are looking fine now. Joel Edgerton will also star in the film, and Variety is reporting Guy Pearce is in talks to join BLACK MASS. If he signs on, Pearce will be playing Whitey Bulger's brother. I think Guy Pearce is one of the most underrated actors working today, and I'm sure he'll do an excellent job in Scott Cooper's upcoming film.
Meanwhile over in Neverland, Joe Wright's Peter Pan origin story PAN has found its Smee. The Wrap has learned Adeel Akhtar (FOUR LIONS, THE DICTATOR) will play Captain Hook's future right-hand man. Bob Hoskins famously portrayed the character in 1991's HOOK, and now it's Akhtar's turn. PAN will also feature Hugh Jackman as Blackbeard, Garrett Hedlund as Captain Hook and the other girl with the dragon tattoo Rooney Mara was recently cast as Tiger Lily. I wasn't that interested in PAN when it was first announced, but with this cast, I definitely want to know more about the new film.
BLACK MASS will open in October 2015, and PAN will be released on July 17th, 2015.