In today's casting roundup we have some news about Reese Witherspoon and Downton Abbey's Jessica Brown Findlay.
THR reports that Witherspoon's Pacific Standard banner has bought the rights to a children’s book series titled Pennyroyal’s Princess Boot Camp written by M.A. Larson. This is the first book in the series from Larson, who got his start as Mike Nichols' assistant. Witherspoon will produce and is set to play a supporting role in the story, described as "a modern fairy tale about a school that shapes girls into warrior princesses to battle against an ever-growing terror of wicked witches." Princess Boot Camp was just picked up by Putnam Children's as a two-book series. Pacific Standard is planning to develop the film as a possible franchise.
Here is what Witherspoon had to say:
Finally, there is a princess story that reflects the values young women truly want to embody. These princesses are strong, independent and fierce, and the knights are their match. In telling their story, Larson has created a magical universe that everyone will love to get lost in.
Deadline reports that Findlay has won the lead role in Warner Bros.' Winter's Tale. Akiva Goldsman picked her out of a bunch of other leading ladies for the adaptation of the 1983 Mark Helprin novel. Goldsman will make his directorial debut on the film. Findlay will play "a dying woman who falls in love with a thief who breaks into her home, a palatial West Side mansion, in a drama that takes place in 19th century and contemporary Manhattan."
Aaron Johnson and Garrett Hedlund are the frontrunners for the role of the thief. Russell Crowe is in final negotiations to play half a demon named Pearly Soames, and Will Smith is rumored to be attached in smaller roles as a favor to Goldsman.
I would much rather watch Winter's Tale personally, but I am sure that Boot Camp will be a good family film. Which movie are you more interested in watching?