CASTING BITES: Feb. 8, 2007

Faris, Fogler, Macy, Shankman and Ryder

By: Brad Brevet
Published: Thursday, February 8th 2007 at 2:13 AM

Haven't done a casting round-up recently but a few of today's announcements warranted one so here goes.

Anna Faris, Teresa Palmer and Dan Fogler will be starring alongside Topher Grace in Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment's Kids in America for director Michael Dowse. The comedy revolves around Grace, a recent college graduate, Faris, his twin sister, and Fogler, his best friend, during their misadventures at a raucous Labor Day party in 1988. Jeff and Jackie Filgo wrote the screenplay from a story by Dowse. Production is scheduled to begin the week of Feb. 19. [The Hollywood Reporter]

William H. Macy is set to make his directorial debut with Keep Coming Back with Salma Hayek, Steve Buscemi, Mos Def and Macy himself set to star. The film was written by Will Aldis and is described as a coming-of-age drama about a teenage boy with a weak heart and sheltered life who discovers new horizons when he becoming infatuated with an alcoholic ex-stripper, played by Hayek. Shooting is due to start in Los Angeles in July. [Variety]

Adam Shankman (Cheaper by the Dozen 2, Hairspray)is set to direct Bedtime Stories for Walt Disney Pictures. The film is described as a live-action comedy which revolves around a harried architect whose life is turned upside down when the lavish bedtime stories he tells his niece and nephew begin to come true. Production is set to begin in August. [Variety]

Winona Ryder is set to star as the female lead in The Last Word opposite Wes Bentley and Ray Romano. Geoffrey Haley is set to direct the romantic dramedy which he wrote. The film is about a reclusive writer played by Bentley, who makes his living composing other people’s suicide notes. His life gets turned upside down after he embarks on a tumultuous romance with Ryder, the sister of a recently deceased client. Filming is set commence later this month in Los Angeles. [Production Weekly]