Casting round-up

News of 'The Hills Have Eyes' remake, James Wan's follow-up to 'Saw' and a very special offer for our readers.

Jun 16 2005

After a high-profile bidding war, Tom Hanks has obtained the rights to the life and times of Mark Felt, the FBI agent who recently admitted to being the world's most famous anonymous source, 'Deep Throat'. The Oscar-winner and his business partner Gary Goetzman will produce the forthcoming film of Felt's remarkable life story, although it is not yet known whether Hanks will take the lead role as the man who triggered the Watergate scandal.

Nicolas Winding Refn is to direct 'Valhalla Rising', the epic tale of a mute Viking who escapes imprisonment in Scotland and accidentally discovers America on his way home. As you do. Apparently inspired by 'Mad Max' and 'Deliverance', the 'Fear X' helmer will make the film in Norway, Scotland and Canada, with Mads Mikkelsen ('King Arthur') playing the lead role.

The cast is coming together for James Wan's follow-up to 'Saw'. Amber Valletta ('What Lies Beneath', 'Duplex', 'Hitch') and Ryan Kwanten (er, Australian soap 'Home and Away') will star in 'Silence', the sinister tale of a man who returns to his hometown to discover the truth behind his wife's murder. Kwanten will play the unfortunate fellow in question, while Valletta plays his father's beautiful wife.

Sticking with horror, a remake of exploitation classic 'The Hills Have Eyes' is slowly but surely coming together, with 'Switchblade Romance' helmer Alexandre Aja in the director's chair. Ted Levine ('The Silence of the Lambs'), Aaron Stanford ('X2'), Kathleen Quinlan ('Apollo 13') and Vanessa Shaw ('Eyes Wide Shut') have been cast in the lead roles, and the film is set to follow the 1977 original's premise of a holidaying family being terrorised by a savage bunch of cannibals. Production should start in Morocco at the end of the month.

'Old School' star Luke Wilson is set to topline 'Super Ex', a comedy about a man who discovers he is dating a superhero. When Wilson eventually breaks up with said superlady, she uses her powers against him. Based on a script by 'The Simpsons' scribe Don Payne, the film will be directed by Ivan Reitman, although there's no news yet regarding who will play the jilted heroine.

Finally, in conjunction with those lovely people at the National Theatre, we've got a very special offer for readers of the Time Out film website. 'The President of an Empty Room', a brilliant new play written by 'Dirty Pretty Things' screenwriter Steven Knight, is currently playing at the NT's Cottesloe Theatre. A Cuban-set tale of voodoo, heroin and tobacco, we can offer £10 tickets (normal price £27.50) for performances on the 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 June. To take advantage of the offer, simply call the box office on 020 7452 3000 and quote 'Time Out Film Offer'.

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