Tom Hooper Could Direct The FREDDIE MERCURY BIOPIC Starring Sacha Baron Cohen

Deadline is reporting that Tom Hooper (King's Speech, Les Miserables) could be interested in helming the untitled dramatic biopic based on the life of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. Sacha Baron Cohen is attached to play the iconic rock singer who tragically died of AIDS with a script from Peter Morgan (Last King of Scotland, The Queen, Frost/Nixon). Tom and Sacha recently worked together on the profitable musical Les Miserables).

Kurt Russell Exits 'DJANGO UNCHAINED', Sacha Baron Cohen Confirms No Cameo

We've had a few actors turn down roles in Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained they include Kevin Costner, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Jonah Hill. Variety is now reporting that the rumor of Kurt Russell backing out of the film is in fact true, with no word who will replace him. Kurt had originally joined the film when Kevin Costner backed out of the Ace Woody role too. Just yesterday Sacha Baron Cohen (Hugo, Borat) confirmed on Howard Stern that his press for The Dictator is preventing him taking a part in the film, as he had been attached for months. My hope is that someone like Josh Brolin (with makeup of course), Jeff Bridges or Jeffrey Dean Morgan end up pursued this role.

Fan Made Django Unchained Poster

Amanda Seyfried Offered Cosette Role In Les Miserables

Twitch reports that Amanda Seyfried has been offered the role of Cosette in Tom Hooper's (King's Speech) Les Miserables. The high profiled musical already boasts an impressive cast that includes Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen. Seyfried seems like a decent choice as she was apart of the successful Mama Mia! film. A majority of the casting decisions seem like Hooper is on roll so far. 

Taylor Swift has been offered the role of Eponine. Scarlett Johansson had been linked for the role and seemed an inspired casting choice since she can sing as well as she can act. While Swift is still learning the craft of acting and could feel out of place alongside these vets and heavyweights. Either way I'm interested in the film which is saying a lot as I'm not a big fan of musicals. Les Miserables will be released on December 7th of this year.

Sacha Baron Cohen Joins Django Unchained

Yet another big casting announcement for Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained. Variety reports that Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat, Sweeney Todd, Hugo) will play Scotty Harmony in the film. Other additions that were reported this week include Tom Wopat (Dukes of Hazard), James Remar (Dexter, The Warriors), James Russo (Publice Enemies), Todd Allen and Rex Linn (Walking Dead, Cliffhanger). 

The rest of the cast includes Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Samuel L. Jackson, Christoph Waltz, Kerry Washington, Dennis Christopher, Kurt Russell, Laura Cayouette, Don Johnson, M.C. Gainey, Tom Savini, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anthony LaPaglia, RZA and Misty Upham.