Allison Janney has joined the cast of Hairspray and will play Prudy Pingleton, the overbearing mother of Penny (Amanda Bynes) who believes that dancing and having fun is sinful. [Variety]
20th Centurty Fox is developing The Engineer as a starring vehicle for Ashton Kutcher. The pic covers 24 frantic hours in the life of an American engineer in Tokyo after he’s labeled a terrorist. [Variety]
Dermot Mulroney will star in Davis Guggenheim’s Grace, a story inspired by events in the life of actors Elisabeth and Andrew Shue, which Picturehouse will release in summer 2007. The film centers on a young girl’s battle to join a boy’s soccer team. Mulroney will take on the role of the father of the girl, Gracie, who is to be played by Carly Schroeder. In the film, which began filming Monday in New Jersey, Elisabeth Shue plays Gracie’s mother; Andrew Shue plays her coach. [The Hollywood Reporter]
Max Thieriot has joined Doug Liman’s Jumper and will play the younger version of Hayden Christensen‘s character. Thieriot’s character is a young man from an abusive home who develops the ability to teleport to different times and locations. [The Hollywood Reporter]
