Three months ago, it looked as though Shia LaBeouf and Jesse Eisenberg would be playing the leads in Todd Phillips' (the Hangover movies) latest film Arms and the Dudes. But it looks as though things have changed, for Jonah Hill has just closed a deal to lead the film, while Miles Teller has been made an offer by Warner Bros.
The Hollywood Reporter reported Hill's casting in the crime comedy. Hill became involved when Eisenberg was unable to commit to the film thanks to his involvement in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and, possibly, Suicide Squad. Additionally, LaBeouf moved on after his talks never progressed beyond courting. Hill has actually been involved with Arms and the Dudes for months prior to his casting, participating in table reads when screenwriters Phillips and Jason Smilovic, was still being worked on.
Word of Teller's possible casting came from The Wrap. They report that Chris Pratt was also rumored to co-star with Hill before Thanksgiving, but Teller began be sought have his impressive work in Whiplash and strong buzz for his upcoming performance in The Fantastic Four. Should scheduling obstacles be overcome, Teller is considering the part.
Phillips, in addition to directing and co-writing, will also produce alongside Bradley Cooper and Mark Gordon, with Jesse Ehrman and Jon Gonda overseeing for Warner Bros. Based on an article by Guy Lawson for The Stoner Arms Dealers: How Two American Kids Became Big-Time Weapons Traders, the film centers two stoners who win a $300 million contract from the government to supply America’s allies in Afghanistan with weapons. Production on the film is expected to begin next spring.
Hill, heard in The Lego Movie and How to Train Your Dragon 2 and seen in 22 Jump Street, will soon be seen in True Story and is currently filming a part in the Coen brothers' Hail, Caesar!. Teller, in addition to the films mentioned above, was also seen in Divergent, Two Night Stand and Divergent earlier this year. He will soon be seen Insurgent, Get a Job and is filming a part in Bleed For This.
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