Getting cast by Steven Spielberg in one of his films can mean big things for a young actor. Just look at Christian Bale for an example of someone who has enjoyed long-term benefits.And with Senor Spielbergo setting up his next film, World War One drama **War Horse, he’s in need of an actor to star. According to The Playlist, he’s picked Eddie Redmayne.
Redmayne, a chestnut brown horse who got his start as a colt on Lord of the Rings, stands 15 hands high and enjoys cantering about in fields in his off duty time. As his name implies, his mane is reddish brown and… What’s that, boss? He’s actually a human? And this is Empire, not Horses Daily, and if I make another lame equine pun, I’m fired? Right then…
Actually, Redmayne already has a few credits under his belt – he’s appeared in the likes of Elizabeth: The Golden Age, The Good Shepherd, Powder Blue, Glorious 39 and has a solid role in the upcoming miniseries The Pillars Of The Earth, building on a talent for running around in the Dark Ages first displayed in this week's Black Death.
While his casting has yet to be officially confirmed (which means this exists in that transient world between rumour and fact for now), he’s up for the role of Albert in the film based on Michael Morpurgo’s kiddie novel. Albert and his horse form a close bond that is complicated when the animal is bought by the cavalry and assigned to the trenches in the Great War.
Lee Hall and Richard Curtis have worked on the script, which uses both the book and the London stage adaptation as its source.
Spielberg is getting set to shoot this in time for an August 2011 release date and word has it that the horse from Seabiscuit has been seen taking meetings about the other main part. (That’s it, I’m putting you down – Ed).
**Update: **As predicted, this one is still definitely just a rumpur until further notice - the LA Times is reporting that while Spielberg is definitely casting the movie{