Joel Kinnaman Cast As Lancelot In Arthur & Lancelot

HeatVision reports that Joel Kinnaman has landed the role of Lancelot in Warner Bros' Arthur & Lancelot. It had been reported that Joel and Kit Harrington (Game of Thrones) were the front-runners of the film. The studio will now have Joel do chemistry reads with other candidates that include Kit Harrington, Sam Claflin (On Stranger Tides, Snow White & The Huntsman), Dominic Cooper (Captain America, Devil's Double), Hans Matheson (Sherlock Holmes), Jim Sturgess, Ben Walker (Abe Lincoln Vampire Hunter, Paradise Lost) and Liam Hemsworth (Expendables 2). This very well means that Joel is now out of the running for Steven Soderbergh's The Man From UNCLE.

Joel Kinnaman & Kit Harington Front-Runners For Arthur & Lancelot

It was surprising when Warner Bros. axed potential remakes of Excalibur from both Bryan Singer (X-Men 1-2, Jack The Giant Killer, Usual Suspects) and Guy Ritchie (Sherlock Holmes 1-2, Snatch) to more forward with Arthur & Lancelot. A new "grounded" take on the classical tale from Wedding Crashers director David Dobkin was chosen instead with a budget around $90 million. It seemed a bit brash considering the talent behind the Excalibur projects but you never know with these things. I never thought comedy director Ruben Fleischer would end up making Gangster Squad. Since Ruben's credits only include Zombieland and 30 Minutes Or Less but it seems like the studio is giving chances to let directors branch out.

There is finally some interesting news casting-wise as ThePlaylist reports that Joel Kinnaman (Snabba Cash, The Killing) and Kit Harington (Game of Thrones) have come out as front-runners for the leads. It's unknown who is expected in what part but there is also a list of other candidates that includes names like Sam Claflin (Pirates 4, Snow White & The Huntsman, Dominic Cooper (Devil's Double, Captain America), Hans Matheson (Sherlock Holmes, Clash of The Titans), Jim Sturgess (50 Dead Men Walking, Cloud Atlas), Ben Walker (Paradise Lost, Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter) and Liam Hemsworth (Hunger Games, Expendables 2). Joel Kinnaman was recently toted as Steven Soderbergh's choice for the second lead in The Man From UNCLE which is being produced by David Dobkin. I expect Kit's rather large international following from Game of Thrones doesn't hurt his chances either.

Actors Start Testing For Bourne Legacy

Deadline reports that Tony Gilroy's Bourne Legacy is heating up as the first group of actors to test have been revealed. They include Joel Edgerton (The Thing, Animal Kingdom, Warrior, King Aurthur), Luke Evans (Three Musketeers, The Raven, Immortals), Garrett Hedlund (Tron Legacy, Troy) and Dominic Cooper (Captain America, An Education).

Joel and Luke are my favorites of this group. Cooper doesn't seem a good fit for the Bourne franchise. Garrett has been linked to other films like Akira and Daredevil so I'm not sure how interest he would be.

Alan Tudyk & Robin McLeavy Join Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Alan Tudyk and Robin McLeavy have joined Timur Bekmambetov's (Wanted) Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Robin had previously been linked to the role of Mary Todd which is being portrayed by Mary Elizabeth Winstead. Benjamin Walker, Anthony Mackie, Dominic Cooper, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Jimmi Simpson had previously been cast in the film.

Trent Reznor Scoring & Acting In Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

It looks like Oscar-winning composer/musician Trent Reznor isn't slowing down his composing duties. He recently re-teamed with David Fincher to score The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and now has another project looking for his eerie sound. BadassDigest reports that Reznor has been hired to score Timur Bekmambetov's (Wanted) Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. He'll also play the vampire that kills Abe's mother setting the story into motion.

Jimmi Simpson Joins Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Variety reports that Jimmi Simpson has joined Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter in an unnamed role. Simpson might be best known for his work on It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia and villainous role in Date Night. I expect Jimmi could be playing one of the evil vampires Abe has to slay. Ben Walker, Anthony Mackie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Dominic Cooper have been previously cast in the film directed by Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted).

Mary Elizabeth Winstead Joins Vampire Hunter

HeatVision reports that Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim, The Thing) has been cast as Mary Todd in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. It was previously reported that Robin McLeavy was in the role but it's not the case. MEW joins Ben Walker (Abe), Dominic Cooper (Henry) and Anthony Mackie (Will). Winstead had been linked to Avengers but it's likely she could focus on Lincoln instead.

Robin McLeavy Joins Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

LatinoReview says that Australian actress Robin McLeavy has been cast in the role of Mary Todd in Timur Bekmambetov's (Wanted) Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Ben Walker is playing a young Abe, Dominic Cooper his vampire trainer Henry Sturges and Anthony Mackie in the role of Will. Previously HeatVision reported on Robin's involvement along with Mary Elizabeth Winstead also being in talks for the role.

Dominic Cooper & Anthony Mackie Join Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Variety reports that Dominic Cooper (Captain America) is set to take the role of ageless vampire Henry Strugess in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Henry saves the life of a young Abe Lincoln teaching him how to kill the evil slave owning vampires. Deadline also has an update that Anthony Mackie (Million Dollar Baby, Hurt Locker) is in talks to play Abe's best friend Will. Theater actor Ben Walker is set to play a young Lincoln and it will be directed by Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) set for release on June 22nd 2012.

Dominic Cooper To Play Howard Stark In Captain America

John Slattery said that he wouldn't be reprising his role of Howard Stark (Tony's father) from Iron Man 2 to make way for a younger actor. Now there is word straight from Dominic Cooper (An Education) that he's landed the role of the young Howard Stark in Captain America. Howard would become an important part of fighting the Nazis during WWII and even constructed Captain America's iconic shield. Cooper was once up for Fandral in Thor but didn't get the role. It's nice to see Marvel finding new roles for actors they've liked from previous auditions.