Several new cast members have been announced for The Devil’s Knot recently, including Reese’s Best Laid Plans co-star Alessandro Nivola. I thought they were great together in that film and so am excited to see them work together again.
It is also reported that the film will start shooting in Atlanta on June 24th.
Alessandro Nivola Plays Key Role In West Memphis 3 Film ‘Devil’s Knot’
June 11th
Alessandro Nivola has been tapped to star opposite Reese Witherspoon and Colin Firth in Devil’s Knot, the Atom Egoyan-directed drama about the conviction of the West Memphis 3, a trio falsely accused of a triple homicide in a controversial trial that presented no physical evidence.
Nivola will play Terry Hobbs, the stepfather of one of the young victims. It’s a pivotal role in the film; Hobbs is a controversial figure who has consistently denied any role in the murders but has come under suspicion in the 20 years since the crime was committed. He has never been charged and evidence against him is inconclusive. His relationship with his wife Pam Hobbs (Witherspoon) forms the backbone of the story.
Nivola will next be seen in Sally Potter’s untitled film, which stars Elle Fanning and Annette Bening. He’s repped by CAA and Management 360.
– Deadline
‘Devil’s Knot’ Adds Trio To Cast
June 12th
There are more casting additions to the Atom Egoyan-directed Devil’s Knot, a day after Alessandro Nivola joined Reese Witherspoon and Colin Firth in the drama about the West Memphis 3. The Ringer regular Kris Polaha will play public defender Val Price in the movie about the conviction of the trio, who were convicted of killing three boys in Arkansas in 1993 despite no physical evidence. Also aboard is Collette Wolfe as Firth’s character’s assistant Glori Shettles. Wolfe appeared recently in Young Adult and will be seen in NBC’s upcoming comedy series Next Caller. Justin Castor, who has appeared in Glee and CSI:NY, is talks to play Jason Baldwin, one of the West Memphis 3. Castor is repped by Anonymous Content and Abrams Artists Agency, Wolfe by Gersh and Untitled, and Polaha by WME and Medavoy Management.
Teens Jessie Misskelley, Damien Echols and Baldwin were convicted in Arkansas of murdering three 8-year-old but were released in 2011 in a plea deal that acknowledged there was no real evidence, physical or otherwise, to convict them. In recent weeks The Killing’s Mireille Enos has joined the film and The Secret Life Of The American Teenager’s Kristopher Higgins has been attached.
– Deadline.com
Ryan, DeHaan in early talks for ‘Devil’s Knot’
June 13th
Amy Ryan (“Gone Baby Gone”) and Dane DeHaan (“Chronicle”) are in early talks to join the cast of Atom Egoyan’s “Devil’s Knot,” an indie pic about the West Memphis Three based on journalist Mara Leveritt’s bestselling book of the same name.
Both deals are in the early stages, as DeHaan is getting married this summer and his shooting dates still have to be finalized, as do Ryan’s.
Worldview Entertainment is financing and producing the pic, which will be produced by Elizabeth Fowler, Clark Peterson, Richard Saperstein and Worldview’s Christopher Woodrow, as well as Paul Harris Boardman, who co-wrote the script with Scott Derrickson. Worldview’s Molly Conners, Sarah Johnson Redlich, Maria Cestone and Hoyt David Morgan will exec produce alongside Derrickson and actual defendants Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley Jr.
CAA is repping North American rights and shooting starts June 25 in Georgia.
“Devil’s Knot” follows private detective Ron Lax (Colin Firth), who took on the West Memphis Three case pro bono. He found DNA evidence linking Terry Hobbs (Alessandro Nivola), the stepfather of one of the three murdered boys, to material that was used to bind one of the young victims. That evidence helped convince a judge to release Misskelley Jr., Baldwin and Damien Echols last year after the trio submitted an Alford Plea, which allowed them to plead guilty in exchange for release from prison for time served.
Ryan is in talks to play Lax’s soon-to-be ex-wife, while DeHaan will play a teen who had some history with the three murdered boys.
In addition to Firth and Nivola, pic also stars Reese Witherspoon, Mireille Enos, Alessandro Nivola, Collette Wolfe and Kris Polaha, while Kristopher Higgins will play Misskelley Jr.
Ryan, who recently starred in “Win Win” and just wrapped “The Tomb” with Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, will soon be seen alongside Guy Pearce in the next film from “Like Crazy” helmer Drake Doremus. She’s repped by the Gersh Agency.
DeHaan starred in 20th Century Fox’s sleeper hit “Chronicle” and will next be seen in a pair of gritty crime dramas — John Hillcoat’s Cannes entry “Lawless” and Derek Cianfrance’s “The Place Beyond the Pines.” He’s repped by CAA and the Schiff Co.
– Variety
‘Devil’s Knot’, starring Reese Witherspoon, begins filming in Atlanta on June 24
On June 24, Devil’s Knot – the big screen adaptation of Mara Leveritt’s bestseller about The West Memphis Three – will begin filming in Atlanta, GA.
Reese Witherspoon and Colin Firth are set to star in the movie about the controversial trials of three teens accused of killing three children in a satanic ritual.
Though there hasn’t been an official casting call for extras yet, the movie is currently looking for an experienced cameraman to portray a featured extra cameraman, preferably with access to a 1993 or older Beta Cam. They are also looking for extras with cars from 1980 through 1993. If you have a car that fits this time period or think you are the camera guy they are looking for, email a recent photo or yourself (and your car), height and all clothing sizes to devilsknotextras@gmail.com.
– OnLocationVacations.com