George Clooney's 'Farragut North' Now Called, 'Ides Of March'; Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei Confirmed

by The Playlist
October 28, 2010 3:15 AM
6 Comments

Evan Rachel Wood Also Set To Appear In Political Drama; Clooney's Next Directorial Effort

It appears that most of the casting pieces for George Clooney's next directorial effort have panned out. Or at least most of them. But first off, apparently a title change is in order. Once called "Farragut North," the name of the 2008 morality tale/political play by Beau Willimon which the drama is based on, the film is now going by the title, "Ides Of March" (best known as the date that Julius Caesar was betrayed and stabbed to death in 44 B.C. by Marcus Junius Brutus and 61 other co-conspirators).

When we first heard from the long- gestating project, Leonardo DiCaprio had been reading with an eye on the lead, and then it appeared that Chris Pine -- who played the lead in the 2009 West Coast stage version of the play at the Geffen House -- could take the part of a 25-year-old press secretary for a Democratic presidential candidate who remains an invisible presence throughout. Eventually however, Clooney tapped quickly rising Canadian star Ryan Gosling to take the part.

Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Evan Rachel Wood and Marisa Tomei had all been in talks at various stages to take roles in the film and apparently all of those names have stuck besides Hoffman, according to Deadline. What's more, the film has acquired financing via Exclusive Media Group chairman Guy East and Nigel Sinclair along with Cross Creek Pictures president Brian Oliver. Sony Pictures Entertainment are apparently interested in picking up the political drama, but despite the stellar cast, it could be more suited to Sony's specialty division, Sony Pictures Classics.

Co-written by Clooney, his Smokehouse productions partner (and "Men Who Stare At Goats" director) Grant Heslov, and Willimon, the film, like the play, is loosely based on the 2004 Democratic primary run of Howard Dean, and "the story is set in Des Moines, Iowa, just weeks before the state’s Democratic caucuses officially commence; it follows the exploits of a twenty-something presidential campaign spinmeister/wunderkind named Stephen Myers (Gosling's character), and the dirty pool he plays to get his candidate the nomination against a rival senator (Clooney)."

Giamatti will play a rival campaign manager, Tomei's turn will be of a New York Times reporter, and Wood's role is of an intern for the campaign. Chris Noth and Olivia Thirlby were part of the same stage version that Pine starred in. The February shoot will take place in Michigan and Ohio. Put this one way high up there on our most anticipated 2012 (or 2011, if we're very lucky) list).

6 Comments

| Reply
Miss J. Spielberg | December 6, 2010 10:50 AMReply

I am extremely interested in what George will do with this new political drama. So far, he has selected an outstanding cast who will undoubtedly bring this remarkable film to life. I am so confident about George's creative abilities, that I will venture to predict oscar buzz in 2012 on this one. I wish more folks would discuss his work product on the blogs versus his contemptuous love life. If I ever became his partner someday, I would put an end to all the nebulous or hurtful speculation in a jiff. PR is PR, but too much negative publicity is damaging.
Emily | November 1, 2010 12:25 PMReply

Gosling was nominated for an Oscar 4 years ago, I don't think he's a "rising" star anymore. He just does the projects he wants and doesn't really care about becoming a big action star or something.
Edward Davis | October 28, 2010 12:37 PMReply

It's exactly the same aside from some not-that-different cosmetics, but feel free to look at a blog no one updates.
kt | October 28, 2010 7:30 AMReply

Too bad Chris Pine couldn't do it. He is a talented film actor and a critically-acclaimed theatre actor. Pine desparately needs a wonderfully-written dramatic movie role that will allow him to shine on the silver screen.
Ricardo | October 28, 2010 6:44 AMReply

It's just not the same over here. I'll keep checking the old blog. See you guys.
Mike_M | October 28, 2010 1:27 AMReply

At this does Ryan Gosling need to be noted as "quickly rising Canadian star"? I think your readers know who he is and he has been mentioned numerous times without that added (i.e. all stories about Drive).