Casting Couch: Biel, Rockwell, Kosugi

By Garth Franklin Monday March 28th 2005 01:16AM

"Jessica Biel and Rufus Sewell are joining Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti in "The Illusionist," writer-director Neil Burger's $17 million turn-of-the-century drama that begins principal photography April 4 in Prague. Burger's adaptation of the Steven Millhauser short story "Eisenheim the Illusionist" is set in 1900 Vienna. A streetwise magician (Norton) uses his dark arts to win Princess Sophie (Biel) away from Crown Prince Leopold (Sewell). Magician/historian Ricky Jay is consulting on the film..." (full details)

Crossroads Films has attached Sam Rockwell and Amanda Peet to the David Gordon Green-penned "Snow Angels." Meanwhile, Emily Mortimer has an offer for a role. Adapted from the novel by Stewart O'Nan, the story interweaves the life of a teenager, Arthur, with his one-time baby sitter Annie (Mortimer), who is struggling with a young daughter and her estranged husband, Glenn (Rockwell). Peet plays Barb, the female lead. Jesse Peretz ("The Chateau") directs..." (full details)

Sho Kosugi, who toplined a series of ninja films that began with "Enter the Ninja," is returning for a tail-kicking encore. Kosugi will reprise his role in "The Return of the Ninja," a film being scripted by Steven de Souza ("Die Hard"). Kosugi will play the last ninja master, who travels to the U.S. to find the American heir to the stealth martial arts legacy. The budget is about $35 million..." (full details)

Thanks to 'KC'

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