Casting News: Matthew Fox Back in World War Z; Russell Crowe Heading to the Broken City with Mark Wahlberg
Posted 08.09.11 by Ryan
The latest batch of set photos from Paramount's adaptation of World War Z reveal Matthew Fox is back in the cast.
Reportedly cast in June along with Ed Harris, both Fox and Harris then left the project a few weeks later. While Harris' role was unspecified, Fox was said to be playing a character named "parajumper" though other details were not offered.
The set photos give credence the character details, as they reveal Fox in military clothing, near a rescue helicopter, and aiding cast member Mireille Enos and her two movie daughters. Enos plays the wife of U.N. researcher, played by Brad Pitt, who did not appear in the set photos.
Adapted by screenwriters Matthew Michael Carnahan (The Kingdom) and J. Michael Straczynski (Changeling) from Max Brooks' best-selling novel, World War Z is currently in production in the U.K. under the direction of Marc Forster (Quantum of Solace). The movie co-stars Elyes Gabel (HBO's Game of Thrones) and Bryan Cranston, who was recently cast in a "small but flashy" role in the movie.
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Mark Wahlberg recently had to drop out of director David O. Russell's adaptation of The Silver Lining Playbook, opening the door for Bradley Cooper to play the lead role instead. Wahlberg had scheduling issues due to his commitment to the noir drama Broken City.
Written by newcomer Brian Tucker, the movie sees Wahlberg played a cop-turned-private eye who is hired by the mayor to investigate his wife's indiscretions. When the mayor's suspicions are confirmed, the wife's lover turns up dead and even larger conspiracy is revealed. Deadline reports Russell Crowe has been cast as the mayor in the movie, which will be directed by Allen Hughes (The Book of Eli).
Production on Broken City begins in November. Wahlberg is also producing the movie through his Closest to the Hole production company.