Casting Bits: Nicole Kidman Considering Phillip Noyce’s ‘Our Wild Life’, Dakota Johnson Grabs Three New Roles
Late last year,SaltdirectorPhillip Noycebecame the latest director to sign on forOur Wild Life, based on the story of Kenyan elephant conservationistDaphne Sheldrick. (Whose work was recently documented in the IMAX filmBorn To Be Wild.) The project had already racked up a pretty troubled history by this point — Nick Cassavetes (The Notebook) was originally attached to direct, but left on bad terms. He eventually sued New Line for not letting him direct from his own rewrite of Jeff Stockwell’s original script. Since then,The Motorcycle Diariesdirector Walter Salles has picked up and dropped the project, and Julia Roberts, Kate Winslet, Charlize Theron, and Drew Barrymore have each been reported or rumored to star at some point.
Now, a new story suggests thatNicole Kidmanmay be the latest actress to attempt to get the project up and running — but her involvement is nowhere near certain. Kidman is said to have “read and liked the script,” which is certainly not the same thing as “signing on to the project.” Indeed, her rep at CAA has said that she is not officially attached toOur Wild Lifeat this point. Still, it’s possible we’ll be hearing about more solid negotiations sometime in the near future.
Then again, maybe we won’t. AsThe Playlistpoints out, scheduling conflicts may ultimately prevent Kidman from coming on board, no matter how much she loved the script.Our Wild Lifeis reportedly aiming to begin shooting in September, but Kidman has already committed to starring opposite James Franco inSweet Bird of Youthon Broadway this fall. We’ll keep you updated as Kidman’s involvement, or lack thereof, becomes clearer. [The WrapviaThe Playlist]
After the jump, an actress you’ve probably seen but don’t know by name snags not one, not two, but three new roles.
Goatsis a coming-of-age indie that will alsostarDavid DuchovnyandVera Farmiga.Five Year Engagementis the Judd Apatow-produced comedy that’s been picking up talented folks left and right over the past several months — in addition to Johnson, the film will also featureJason Segel,Emily Blunt,Jacki Weaver,Rhys Ifans,Chris Pratt,Alison BrieandMindy Kaling. And finally,21 Jump Street(if you haven’t heard by now) is an action-comedy remake of the popular late ’80s/early ’90s cop series that launched Johnny Depp’s career.
But wait, you may be wondering, Dakota who? Johnson is the daughter of actors Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, but she’s probably most recognizable to you as the girl who sleeps with Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake) without realizing his identity inThe Social Network. [Variety]
