Casting News -- July 8, 2009

Ryan Phillippe and Val Kilmer are in negotiations to star in a feature film version of MacGruber, based on the recurring Saturday Night Live sketch starring Will Forte as MacGyver's son. Forte and Kristen Wiig are reprising their roles from the skits for the big screen. In the film, "the legendary, much decorated MacGruber is pulled out of retirement as a monk in Ecuador by a colonel, who needs him once more to fight on behalf of his country. This time the mission involves going up against the evil Cunth, who has a nuclear warhead; the mission is personal because Cunth killed MacGruber's bride." Phillippe will play Piper, an Army officer forced to pair up with a reluctant MacGruber; Kilmer will play Cunth.

Patrick Dempsey and Eric Dane have joined the cast of Valentine's Day, an ensemble romantic comedy that follows five interconnecting stories on Valentine's Day in L.A. The Grey's Anatomy stars join a cast that already inculdes Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Jennifer Garner, Shirley MacLaine, Bradley Cooper, Ashton Kutcher, Topher Grace, Emma Roberts, and Hector Elizondo.

Michael McKean will reprise his role as doughnut shop owner Arthur Przybyszewski in Superior Donuts when it transfers to Broadway this fall. McKean originated the role in Tracy Letts' play when it debuted last year at the Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago. Previews begin Sept. 16 at the Music Box Theater, before an official opening Oct. 1.

Francois Battiste, Crystal A. Dickinson, Alano Miller, and Wendell Pierce will star in the Off-Broadway premiere of Broke-ology by Nathan Louis Jackson. Performances begin Sept. 10, before an official opening Oct. 5 at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater in NYC.

Tobey Maguire will star in The Details, a black comedy about a struggling married couple who see their lives further complicated by ravenous raccoons burrowing under their back yard.  A disagreement over how to dispatch the pests creates a chain reaction of mishaps. Elizabeth Banks co-stars. The cast also includes Ray Liotta, Dennis Haysbert, Anna Friel, and Laura Linney.

Michael Clarke Duncan and Morgan Simpson will star in Bailey, an indie drama about spiritual redemption against the backdrop of Memphis blues. The film will be directed by Mario Van Peebles.

David Tennant and Sarah Harding have joined the cast of St. Trinian's II: The Legend of Fritton's Gold, a comedy in which the pupils and staff of an anarchic girls' school engage in a hunt for treasure and a battle against a women-hating secret society. The cast also includes Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Gemma Arterton, Talulah Riley, Jodie Whittaker, Juno Temple, Tamsin Egerton, Celia Imrie, and Fenella Woolgar (all of whom appeared in the first film in the series, St. Trinian's).

Eric McCormack will guest star in an upcoming episode of Law & Order: SVU. The Emmy-winning Will & Grace star will appear in this season's second episode as a "handsome (and straight) sugar daddy."

Brett Cullen has been cast in The Runaways, a film about Joan Jett and her titular band. Cullen will play the alcoholic father of Runaways member Cherie Currie.

Patricia Richardson, Aimee Teegarden, and Helen Slater will star in Beautiful Wave, a coming-of-age drama about a teenager who goes to live with her grandmother in CA one summer and learns to surf.

Terry Kinney is joining the cast of the CBS series The Mentalist in the recurring role of Sam Bosco, an ex of Lisbon's (Robin Tunney) and a major player in the "Red John" investigation. Kinney will appear in at least seven episodes.

Maiara Walsh is joing the cast of Desperate Housewives as a regular next season. The actress guest starred in the last two episodes of this past season as Ana, Carlos' (Ricardo Chavira) gorgeous and manipulative niece.

-- Daniel Lehman