| With shooting set to begin on his new film, comic book adaptation Scott Pilgrim Vs The World, Edgar Wright is assembling a cast to join the on-board Michael Cera and Mary Elizabeth Winstead. The first new name on the cast roster is Kieran Culkin, who has bagged the role of Wallace Wells, Pilgrim's gay former roommate (they shared a bed but it was strictly platonic). Secondly, the wonderfully-named Aubrey Plaza has today signed on to play the supporting role of Julie Powers, the obnoxious on-off-on-again girlfriend of Stephen Stills, lead singer and guitarist of Scott’s band, Sex Bob-omb. It’s been a good day for Plaza, a previously unknown actress who’s on the verge of breaking out. A member of improv group, the Upright Citizens Brigade, she’s currently filming Funny People, the Judd Apatow comedy with Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen, and today also signed on to a regular recurring role in the new, untitled sitcom starring Amy Poehler, fresh from her stint on SNL. As for Scott Pilgrim, for the uninitiated, it’s based on a series of (mostly) B&W and (entirely) wonderful graphic novels by the Canadian writer-artist Bryan Lee O’Malley, revolving around Pilgrim, a 23 year-old slacker who falls for the girl of his dreams – literally – and then has to battle her seven evil ex-boyfriends in order to win her heart. It’s a beguiling mix of deadpan, astutely observed humour and surreal, videogame-infused nonsense that should suit Wright’s visual style to a tee. Cera, of course, will play Scott, while Winstead will play Ramona Flowers, the object of Scott’s affection. Ellen Wong has also signed on to play Knives Chau: 17 Years Old, a Chinese schoolgirl who stalks Scott, but in a cute way. Filming is scheduled to start oop there in Toronto, eh, in March. We’ll keep you posted on any more castings that come along. |
