Tomei Finds Salvation: Marisa Tomei is in negotiations to star in the comedy-thriller Salvation Boulevard. Jennifer Connelly and Greg Kinnear have also been added to the cast, which already includes Pierce Brosnan, Jim Gaffigan, and Ed Harris. The story follows a “former Deadhead turned born-again Christian†on the run from fundamentalist members of his megachurch. It’s unclear who Tomei will play but we’re just going to assume it’s the former Deadhead’s ex-girlfriend … who has a working-class job and is damaged but also has a heart of gold. [Variety]
Hall Pass: Rebecca Hall (Vicky Cristina Barcelona) will co-star opposite Will Ferrell in the indie drama Everything Must Go, based on the Raymond Carver short story. The story centers on a relapsed alcoholic (Ferrell) who loses his job and wife and decides to live on his front lawn (how quirky!) while selling all of his stuff. Hall will play a newcomer to the neighborhood who “forges a special bond†with Ferrell’s character. To which Kate Winslet said, “Of course that’s what she’s playing.†[Variety]
Chastain Proves Worthy: Jessica Chastain has won the female lead opposite Sam Worthington in The Fields, a thriller also starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Chastain’s first major film role will be in Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life, featuring Brad Pitt, out later this year. Chastain will play Worthington’s ex-wife, a former rodeo queen who, like her ex-husband, is a homicide detective on the trail of killers in coastal Texas. So this is kind of like Mr. and Mrs. Smith … but with actors you don’t care about. [HR]
Donovan Not Ordinary: Tate Donovan (Damages) has joined the cast of ABC’s drama pilot No Ordinary Family, starring Michael Chiklis and Julie Benz, about a family that suddenly realizes it has superpowers. Donovan will play a “mysterious pilot†on the show. What’s next? Drea De Mateo coming on as a smoke monster? [HR]
Slater’s a Genius: Christian Slater is onboard to star in Fox’s untitled Adam Goldberg comedy pilot, which revolves around a group of “twentysomething geniuses†who crack security systems. Slater will play a “charismatic renegade with a checkered past.†As opposed to his real-life persona as a “charismatic actor with a checkered past.†[HR]