May 23, 2015

Emma Watson to replace Alicia Vikander in James Ponsoldt's 'The Circle'?




One of the hottest Cannes pic packages–the Tom Hanks-Alicia Vikander-starrer The Circle–is in the process of being reconfigured as the star of that young actress soars after her performance as the beguiling robot in Ex Machina. The Swedish actress is in talks to star in two major new tent poles: Assassin’s Creed, the Justin Kurzel-directed New Regency live-action adaptation of the Ubisoft video game; and the new Jason Bourne picture opposite Matt Damon with Paul Greengrass directing. Deadline understands there’s still some work to do to get the schedules aligned but it appears likely that, whatever happens with those two projects, Vikander is likely to drop off the Tom Hanks starrer The Circle. Word we are hearing is that IM Global head Stuart Ford has made an offer to Harry Potter star Emma Watson to play the young female lead.

That project, based on a Dave Eggers novel and written and directed by James Ponsoldt, was one of the hottest titles at the just-wrapped Cannes market. Vikander’s attachment was only announced on the eve of of the festival–to play a young employee at a tech company called The Circle, who gets involved with a mysterious man–with IM Global virtually selling out international with a slew of big indie deals. IM Global topper Start Ford is now rushing to find a replacement and Deadline understands that an offer has been made to Emma Watson (Harry Potter).

Hanks and Gary Goetzman’s shingle Playtone is producing along with Anthony Bregman’s Likely Story and Ponsoldt and Walter Parkes and Laurie Macdonald. Image Nation Abu Dhabi is fully financing and will present the film in association with Parkes Macdonald Productions. Having Image Nation on board, along with its commitment to finance, gives the project a level of protection against the vagaries of casting and scheduling.

11 comments:

GoldenGemster said...

Fingers crossed that it's true and I adore Tom Hanks who normally never makes bad films. I do hope Emma gets the part.

Jonathan Andrew Sheen said...

This looks very, very promising! I'm really excited.

Anonymous said...

I do not think that Alicia Vikander is going to drop out of a film with Tom Hanks. I read once- don't recall where- may have been a blog- that Emma Watson was being going to play a role in Assassins Creed.
For Emma I hope the Circle, a Tom Hanks film and with Tom Hanks is on. This would be a greatg opportunity. Hanks is one of the best.

Anonymous said...

I think this is only a rummor like LALA Land. We'ii just have to wait and see, although I think it would be greatg

Eden said...

La La Land wasn't a rumour though. Emma was going to play in it but I don't remember if either she was offered Beauty and the Beast afterwards or because the filming of LLL was pushed, but the 2 filming schedules clashed, so she quit LLL.

Thaïs said...

True Eden !
And I must say I prefer the Beauty and the Beast project :p

Eden said...

I would have preferred a way to have both, would have made more promo for Emma :p

Anonymous said...

I meant no criticism for la la Land. I am also most happy that she is doing Beauty, and I hope she truly has the opportunity for Circle, but most of all I would like to see Queen of the Tearling get on its way. Emma cannot get too much older to fit the role, unless Kelsea is also getting older in the film, which is probable.

sparkvark111 said...

That was quick. They just announced Alicia Vikander a couple weeks ago. I hope this is true. :)

Anonymous said...

I would love to see Emma in a film with Tom Hanks. I have read though that Emma was in consideration for Ass. Creed, but with Queen of Tearling she will already belong and help produce a fanchise. A year in the MA Text.. course would be a great help, for she would be learning directing, producing, acting, scriptwriting. My cousin did the couse a couple of years ago; he is has a script accepted for a German film. He writes in both languages.

Anonymous said...

I mean at RADA. I admire Emma's tlent- Text and Performance