Role Call: Dracula in Love

by · November 7, 2015

In this week’s Casting News, we explore science fiction thrillers, ninja turtles in space, Dracula in love, and Voldemort as a butler. All that and more, in MuggleNet’s Role Call!

Rhys Ifans, who portrayed Xenophilius Lovegood, has recently joined a new sci-fi thriller called Gateway 6. The film is set in the time of a futuristic war-ravaged Earth, and will begin filming in Estonia this Spring. No word yet on his role, but we’ll follow this closely and bring you all the latest!

The first teaser trailer for the sequel to Alice in Wonderland was released this week. Although the Alice: Through the Looking Glass teaser didn’t show them, the film will once again star a number of former Potter cast: Helena Bonham Carter as Iracebeth, the Red Queen, Alan Rickman as the Blue Caterpillar, Toby Jones as Wilkins, Timothy Spall as Bayard, Stephen Fry as the voice of the Cheshire Cat, and Rhys Ifans as Zanik Hightopp, the father of the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp).

Only a few days later, Disney then released a full trailer, which we’ve also included here. Take a look at the teaser and the full trailer below:

One of our special guests from Expo Patrononum, Warwick Davis, has a new project underway. The actor has created a Kickstarter campaign for a feature film titled Shortfellas. The film, a comedy, follows a group of friends who plan a diamond heist in order to get the funds for an operation for their friend’s daughter. Warwick posted a video to potential donors of the campaign, along with stills from the film, which you can see here. In addition to Warwick, his wife, Sam, also stars in the feature.

For fans of David Thewlis, here’s an opportunity you may never have thought possible – watch the actor in 3-D! The trailer for Anomalisa was recently released, which you can view here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg8MtJv2Oec

The stop-motion film from Charlie Kaufman follows a depressed motivational speaker (Thewlis) experiencing an existential crisis as he mopes around a Cleveland hotel. The film opens on December 30.

Raise your hand if you’re a fan of Bridget Jones! Actually, while we are fans of the films, we are more interested in Bridget’s parents, Colin and Pamela, played by Jim Broadbent and Gemma Jones. Both Potter alumni are back for the third installment in the romantic comedy series, Bridget Jones’ Baby. Photos from the set show Jim with actress Renee Zellweger as the pair laugh and appear to be having an emotional moment. You can view the photos here. Additionally, Broadbent’s previously announced epic War and Peace has gotten a trailer. Take a look here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3f-AfiPgQE

David Tennant is juggling lots of projects at the moment. With Jessica Jones debuting on Netflix, and Broadchurch filming due to begin next Summer, we found a fun project the actor is tackling for the younger set. Nerdist announced recently that David is now voicing a superhero of sorts on the cartoon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The new season of the animated series just premiered with David as Fugoid, the robot replacement to rat mentor Splinter, who was – **SPOILER** – killed last season when the Earth was destroyed. To check out David in his new space role, tune in to Nickelodeon on Sunday mornings.

Jason Isaacs also appears to be taking on a cartoon role. The Hollywood Reporter announced that the actor would voice a 3-D character in the feature Happy Family. Jason will breathe life (of sorts) into Dracula, who falls in love with a human woman and has a witch turn her into a vampire so that they can be together. The spell backfires, however, and turns the woman and her entire family into real versions of their Halloween costumes. After she rejects Dracula’s romantic overtures, he plots to destroy the world. The film is based on a novel of the same name by David Safier but no release date has yet been set.

A familiar face joins the new friendship drama Miss You Already. Frances de la Tour makes a brief cameo as a wig designer in this tear-jerker that explores a platonic romantic relationship between two friends, one of whom is facing a cancer diagnosis. Take a look at a trailer and clip from the film, which is set to debut in the US this Friday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-HT8nkDgUo&feature=youtu.be

Triple-threat Fiona Shaw recently spoke on a London panel to talk about tragedy at the Almeida Greeks, titled From Aristotle to Albert Square. You can view a video of the event here. Entertainment Weekly recently posted photos from Brooklyn, which is our first real look at both Julie Walters and Jim Broadbent in the film, which stars Domhnall Gleeson. Take a look at the photos below:

Filming for Alan Rickman‘s The Limehouse Golem has begun, according to a Keighley local news outlet. Extras have auditioned for roles in the film, which has taken up space in Dalton Mills to give the movie its gothic feel.  The film is set in 1880 London, during a time when a series of murders take place in the dangerous Limehouse district of the city. Based on a novel of the same name by Peter Ackroyd, the picture is slated for a 2016 release date.

Finally, we know of at least one MuggleNet staffer who will be excited about this. Ralph Fiennes was just announced as joining the Lego franchise in the film Lego Batman. The actor will voice the iconic Alfred Pennyworth, according to Heat Vision via the Hollywood Reporter. No word yet on when the film will debut.

That wraps this edition of our Casting News! What did you think of this week’s announcements? Tell us your thoughts on the latest roles, and don’t forget to submit your casting tips to us. You may see your name in print!