Question: How do you live up to a legacy like American Beauty?
Answer: Cast as many great actors as possible.
The forthcoming, still-officially-untitled Sam Mendes-directed movie, penned by McSweeney's helmsman Dave Eggers and wife Vendela Vida (co-editor of The Believer), has attracted a new cast member. Maggie Gyllenhaal will play the role originally claimed by actress Toni Collette in the Focus Features film, recently vacated by Collette becuase of scheduling delays, Variety reports.
Filming recently began in Connecticut on the romantic comedy, which will star actors John Krasinski of The Office and Maya Rudolph of SNL fame, and explores a couple's travels around the country looking for somewhere to settle down. Gyllenhaal portrays a college professor, a perfect fit in a career of roles playing brainy women. Other actors signed on include Allison Janney, Cheryl Hines, Carmen Ejogo, Jim Gaffigan, Melanie Synskey, Chris Messina, Kevin J. O'Connor and Paul Schneider. Jeff Daniels and Catherine O'Hara also recently joined the cast.
Although Mendes has a history of exploring the heavy in his filmmaking, this one will be much more lighthearted, reportedly, and is tentatively going by the title Farlanders.
Related links:
McSweeneys.net
FocusFeatures.com
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