McAvoy, Wright-Penn Join Redford's 'Conspirator'

While nothing's been made official either way, I'm ready to conclude that James McAvoy won't play Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit. He keeps adding films to his schedule and we already know that Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson hope to film early next year. And this weekend, McAvoy officially joined one more project, casting doubt throughout the shire. The actor had been rumored for a role in The Conspirator, Robert Redford's new historical drama set around the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Variety reports that both McAvoy and Robin Wright Penn (who I guess will revert to "Robin Wright" now that's getting the dee-vorce) are joining the cast. Wright will play Mary Surratt, the only woman charged in connection with the assassination and McAvoy will portray Frederick Aiken, "an idealistic young war hero who reluctantly defends Surratt and in the process comes to believe she is innocent." The film will shoot beginning next month and if there's a Wanted 2 - which is a near certainty - that would get started once 2010 rolls around. What's interesting about this project is that entrepreneur Joe Ricketts is christening his new American Film Co. with . The aim of the company is to accurately tell stories from American history on the big screen. Moreover, Ricketts wants to uncover stories we don't hear about everyday. I'm certainly on board with the concept, but if Mary Surratt looked like Robin Wright, then color me surprised. But I am extremely happy for her, because I've always felt that she was a pretty good actress (or the gender-neutral "actor," if you prefer), but she's never had that one big role to put her in that elite category. Maybe this is it.

Comments

[SEAN]

YES YES Colin couldnt agree with you more Robin Wright has certainly been a most talented actress but has never had the acclaim she deserves...

Though I have read she is getting RAVE reviews from her most recent film "The Private Lives of Pippa Lee" directed by Rebecca Miller (DD Lewis's wife)....but for some reason it seems the studio or whomever is pushing it/ marketing it...

I'am thoroughly excited for this project, I mean James McAvoy, fantastic brilliant actor...glad he's not doing Bilbo....wouldnt have made sense...but with his skill he certainly could have and done well

[SEAN]

corection --- "ISNT pushing it/ marketing it"

[Torrent Download]

An excellent trailer and with such a superb cast and a truly great director, Robert Redford is a bad ass director, this will be a magnificent film! The way they shot this movie is super interesting.

[william.C]

Took me time to read all the louis vuitton handbags comments, but I really enjoyed the article. It proved to be Incredibly helpful to me and I am sure to all the commenters here It is always cheap handbags nice when you can not only be informed, but also entertained I’m certain you chanel handbags had fun writing this article.