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EXCLUSIVE: Hollywood is always looking for great villains. Now I’m told that Christoph Waltz, a frontrunner in the Best Supporting Actor race for his portrayal of the charmingly sadistic Col Hans Landa, will make a deal to star with Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson in Water for Elephants, the Richard LaGravanese-scripted adaptation of the Sara Gruen novel for Fox 2000. Francis Lawrence is directing. The role at first appeared to belong to Sean Penn who’s been on a self-imposed big screen sabbatical, but the deal went south. Instead, Waltz will play the heavy in the Depression Era romantic triangle involving a veterinary medicine student (Pattinson) who joins a 2nd-rate travelling circus and falls for the star performer (Witherspoon). Waltz will play her husband, a dangerous paranoid schizophrenic animal trainer who is as mean to his wife as he is to the circus creatures. Gil Netter, Erwin Stoff and Andrew Tennenbaum are producing.
Waltz was a journeyman TV actor when Quentin Tarantino cast him to play Col. Hans Landa, the charmingly sadistic and manipulative Nazi officer. It got him a Hollywood agent at ICM, and the chance to make Hollywood films. Pending a deal, this would be Waltz’s second studio role. He played the villain opposite Seth Rogen in The Green Hornet for Columbia Pictures.
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Oh my God – Robert Pattinson and Christoph Waltz in the same movie – SWEET JESUS!!!
So much better than the scenery chewing Penn. Thrilled to bits with these three leads.Really looking forward to this film.
i hope he doesn’t get typecast as a villian but this is still exciting as hell. and this movie is looking better and better. I didn’t like Sean Penn for the part. shoot me but he’s overrated.
Dream cast for WFE. I cant wait to see Pattinson and Waltsz in some of the scenes Ive read. Thank god no Penn. His films bomb.
NO SEAN PENN FOR WATER FOR ELEPHANTS WITH ROBERT PATTINSON
Good choice. I’m glad to see all the offers he’s getting lately. This book was one of my favorites of the last couple of years, so I’m curious to see how it all comes together.
I’ve read this book, and it’s incredible. I am looking forward to the movie (even though the movie version of The Bone Collector was CRAP compared to the book).
That said, Waltz would be PERFECT for this role. Resse would do fine, but I really hope Pattinson doesn’t suck it up. Having never seen any of his movies, I just can hope that he isn’t horrible.
Sounds like an amazing cast. The book is wonderful and I look forward to seeing it on the big screen.
As someone with an ounce of respect for the book, the only casting choice worse than Rob Pattinson for the lead role is Reese Witherspoon for the leading lady.
I still say Sean Penn for this movie.
Water for Elephants is a wonderful book. I do hope Rob, et al can do a movie justice. It’s a heartbreaking novel and, if done well, could be spectacular. I think Rob Pattinson is getting way too over exposed.
Finally saw Inglourious Basterds last weekend. I thought the trailers were weak since made it look like another Ocean’s Eleven but instead of Vegas placed in WWII. Pleasantly surprised. The script and acting rocked and Waltz performed flawlessly. Congrats for Tarantino for picking someone somewhat out of the blue.
Waltz is from AUSTRIA (Vienna), not Germany! Like Arnie…
Well, at least Christoph will be the one good actor in the movie. He was amazing in Basterds.
Having read the book, this role is “perfect” for him in that he can play the exact same character as in Basterds and it will fit just fine. It’s interesting how in Hollywood you can act a million roles before your big break, but the one you’re noticed in will be the one you play for the rest of your life.
This is an amazing role for Waltz. I read the book and the script and he’s going to be incredible in this.
fyi – it’s Richard “LaGravenese”.
I hope Sean Penn is still in this movie. Chris Waltz is a great actor but still prefer Sean Penn. Please keep Sean Penn. Love to see Robert Pattinson and Sean Penn act together.
I have to say that this is great news. I’m a big fan of Waltz, and I am glad to see him getting some other big roles out there in Hollywood.
Sounds a bit odd to me.
Pattinson plays the protagonist Jacob, Witherspoon is Marlena. Okay so far. Then we have the brutal animal trainer, Marlena’s husband August AND the mean and violent circus owner Uncle Al.
Christoph Waltz will play the character of August, the husband? But WHO plays Uncle Al then?
I could imagine that Sean Penn is still in to play August and Waltz plays Uncle Al instead.
Other characters are the dwarf Kinko, the alcoholic Camel and the nurse Rosemary.
Anyway, great news, because of the Waltz-factor.
An odd project, no?
I just don’t want Mr. Waltz’s agents to stereotype him. What He needs are projects about a famous artist, painter, some man of history that is interesting…He’s a camillian actor. … Too many villian roles will be tough for him to come out of …. I understand his agents want him to be seen with known director and stars, but material is king. Start caring what he’s in, not who hes in with.
I think Waltz playing August is a better fit than Penn. I would much rather see Penn play Uncle Al. I can’t think of the actors name but he has been in ‘Nip/Tuck’, he would be a good Walter/Kinko. Loved this book.
I think it’s great that Watz has August’s role!
At first I was thinking Billy Zane would have been perfect for him. But I didn’t know who Mr. Waltz was, so it’s pretty cool.
But… the Twilight guy and Witherspoon??
Reese is a little too old, and I don’t care much for Pattinson.
I think the girl from the Notebook and Toby McGuire would have been perfect for Jacob and Marlena.
Is it a done deal that these 3 will be the stars of Water for Elephants? I say that because I have not read anywhere but here that Pattinson had been decided, but if so it is a great casting choice as he will be a perfect Jacob. Reese will make Marlena come alive and Waltz will make me want to run.
Pattinson, Witherspoon and Waltz. Wonderful!
Reese is not too old for the part. After all Marlena is not a teenager.
Waltz will not be typecast. He is great actor.
Rob Pattinson…what can I say. He can act and he is so beautiful. What more do you want?!
I have to add that I do not think the book was the 2nd coming of the Great Canadian or American Novel.
There is the possibility that Waltz could be the Robert DeNiro of the next generation because of his intensity to the roles he portrays. Like DeNiro, at times you are afraid of the character he is playing…he’s an excellent actor and like DeNiro he takes hismwork seriously….I hope they don’t “waste” his talents. I would go see this movie just for him.