CAST EM': 'MACHETE KILLS'

The Machete Kills cast is already impressive with Danny Trejo, Michelle Rodriguez, Jessica Alba, Amber Heard, Mel Gibson, Demian Bichir, Sofia Vergara and Antonio Banderas. The previous installment had monolithic amount of actors involved so I wouldn't be shocked to see Robert Rodriguez gathering more actors for supporting roles and cameos. I have a few actors in mind that could make Kills even more crazy than it already is.

SALMA HAYEK: Hayek's giant break in Hollywood was thanks in-part to Robert's second film Desperado which blew up both their careers in 1995. Antonio Banderas also credits his successful career to the film and will be appearing the film in a small role. I assume that Hayek might also want to contribute to the film which will be mostly set in Mexico this time around. Salma will be seen next in Oliver Stone's Savages oddly enough playing a ruthless female Mexican cartel leader. I could see her playing a fast-talking sex worker alongside Sofia Vergara or even an assassin sent after Machete.

NICOLAS CAGE: If anyone could make a great Madman Mendes it would be Cage. He brings an intensity to his roles so I can only imagine what he could be like with Robert directing him. Willam Dafoe played a Mexican cartel leader in Once Upon A Time In Mexico and pulled it off effortlessly. I could see Nicolas doing the same if he's able to develop a convincing Spanish accent. I'm sure dubbing his Spanish would be needed and with a voice completely different from Cage's could also be used for comedic-effect.

AL PACINO: In Machete, we got Robert De Niro in a extremely funny villainous role. I wouldn't be shocked to see Pacino at least being approached for a cameo. Considering he appeared in the disastrous comedy Jack And Jill, so anything is possible now. Personally I've been dying to see him send himself up in an action comedy like this parodying his roles in Carlito's Way and Scarface. He'd make a great U.S. government suit or competing Mexican cartel leader.

JOHN LEGUIZAMO: This amazing character actor has fallen off the radar lately and needs to come back to live-action features. Leguizmo has extensive amount of genre credits which include roles in Die Hard 2, The Fan, Romeo + Juliet, Collateral Damage, Summer of Sam, Assault on Precint 13, Spun and Land of The Dead. I could picture him as a contract hitman for the cartel. It could be interesting to see him being more of professional killer than we've previously seen the other minons in the last film.

Poster For Oliver Stone's 'SAVAGES'

FIRST LOOK: Oliver Stone's Savages

Emile Hirsch Also Joins Oliver Stone's Savages

Variety reports Emile Hirsch (Into The Wild, Milk) has also joined Oliver Stone's Savages in an unnamed role. The cast already includes Aaron Johnson, Taylor Kitsch, Blake Lively, Benicio Del Toro, Salma Hayek, Uma Thurman and John Travolta.

Blake Lively, Uma Thurman & John Travolta Confirmed For Savages

Deadline reports that Blake Lively (The Town, Green Lantern) has officially joined Oliver Stone's Savages. They also confirm that Uma Thurman (Kill Bill) and John Travolta have also been cast. They join an already impressive group that includes Aaron Johnson (Nowhere Boy, Kick-Ass), Taylor Kitsch (John Carter of Mars), Benicio Del Toro and Salma Hayek. 

It would seem that Lively has chosen Savages over the Glinda role in Sam Raimi's Oz, The Great & Powerful. I have high expectations for this new Oliver Stone film as he hasn't been able to make compelling film that I've enjoyed since Any Given Sunday (1999). The subject matter could be the key element to Stone returning to his Scarface roots.

Blake Lively Frontrunner For Oliver Stone's Savages

Recently Taylor Kitsch (John Carter of Mars), Aaron Johnson (Kick-Ass) and Benicio Del Toro had been confirmed as the main cast for Oliver Stone's Savages. Variety has word that Blake Lively (Green Lantern, The Town) is the frontrunner for the role of O the friend of the two pot growers (Kitsch, Johnson) who is kidnapped by a Mexican cartel. Other actresses who had been looked at the role included Abbie Cornish, Teresa Palmer and Olivia Wilde. An official offer has yet to go out to Lively but it is expected. The report also mentions Uma Thurman is up for a part in the film.

Actors Confirmed For Oliver Stone's Savages, Actresses Start Testing For Lead

Oliver Stone's drug-themed crime thriller Savages is looking very promising. Universal has picked up the film and now is testing actresses for the role of O, the kidnapped friend of the two pot growers. After Jennifer Lawrence left to star in Gary Ross' Hunger Games. Deadline confirms that Aaron Johnson, Taylor Kitsch and Benicio Del Toro are locked in while Salma Hayek is still in talks. They also say that along with Olivia Wilde (Tron Legacy, Cowboys & Aliens) testing for the female lead is Abbie Cornish (Sucker Punch, A Good Year). Variety adds that Blake Lively (Green Lantern, The Town) and Teressa Palmer (I Am Number Four) are also in the mix.

Taylor Kitsch, Aaron Johnson & Olivia Wilde Could Star In Oliver Stone's Savages

Deadline reports that Oliver Stone's next movie will be Savages based on the novel by Don Winslow. The film focuses on two Laguna-based pot growers arm-twisted into working for a Mexican cartel when they kidnap O, the free spirited best friend of the growers.

Stone is currently in talks with both Aaron Johnson (Kick-Ass, Nowhere Boy) and Taylor Kitsch (John Carter of Mars) for the two leads. I love the sounds of this drug based crime thriller and it doesn't hurt that Stone wrote both Scarface and Midnight Express. I expect this could be a another drug epic in the making.

They add that Olivia Wilde is currently in talks for the role of O which had been linked to Jennifer Lawrence before she signed on for Hunger Games. Benicio Del Toro and Salma Hayek had been linked for Mexican cartel roles.