Chris Cooper Joins the cast of 'August: Osage County'

[Will42]

The last time we saw Chris Cooper he was rapping in "The Muppets," but he'll return to his more reliable dramatic form coming on board "August: Osage County" with Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts, who basically have already made it Oprah's favorite movie of all time by their mere presence together. He joins the recently cast Andrea Riseborough in the an adaptation of Tracy Letts' ("Killer Joe," "Bug") Tony award-winning play about the relationship between a drug addicted family matriarch Violet (Streep) and her daughter Barbara Fordham (Roberts). The latter is reeling from the revelation that her husband is cheating on her, but the entire family comes together when the patriach of the clan goes missing, and dramatic things happen. Cooper will play Streep's brother in law, John Wells ("The Company Men") is directing, production starts in August and we'll see you at the Oscars in 2014.

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/chris-cooper-moves-to-august-osage-county-james-woods-signs-up-for-white-house-down-20120709

[themysteriousgrowl]

Yowza. Finally, a piece of exciting casting out of this project.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

This cast is shaping up to be pretty exciting.

[castlestreet]

That got my attention!

[somethingwicked]

Cooper is perfectly cast as Charlie. Meryl Streep has gone on record saying he's her absolutely favorite actor, both to watch and to work with, so I'm not the least bit surprised he wound up involved.

This makes me think someone like Jean Smart would really be perfect opposite him as Mattie Fae.

[random person 112]

It still breaks my heart that it won't be Kathy Bates as Mattie Fae, i could see Annie Potts as Mattie Fae too though.

[Jordan Catalano]

It would be great if someone very "un Hollywood" like Jean Smart could get into this film but I doubt that'll happen. But God, it would be marvelous.

[somethingwicked]

Jordan, keep in mind that John Wells comes from a predominately television-heavy background, so I could certainly see someone like Smart winding up on his radar, given the heavy hitters involved elsewhere. If he's already ruled out Kathy Bates, there aren't very many other A-list women who fit the requirements necessary for such a meaty character part (sad, but true.) That's not because the women aren't out there, of course, but because Hollywood doesn't elevate them to that status.

Now that he's involved from a producing standpoint, I'm also curious to see if George Clooney winds up joining the cast as Bill. He'd be terrific, and he has a rich enough history with Julia Roberts that they'd be great playing such a complex relationship with one another.

[jamiekennywicked]

Do we know it wont be Kathy Bates? While I love Meryl, I thought Sissy Spacek would be a nice Violet. Could she play Mattie Fae?

[somethingwicked]

jamie, as was discussed in another thread, Kathy Bates tweeted a few months ago that John Wells passed on casting her because of what he believes is a lack of a familiar resemblance between her and Meryl Streep.

[jamiekennywicked]

Ah what a shame!

[Auggie27]

I, too, had rooted for Sissy as Violet. Hell, I thought Bates would've been a good Violet, too. I think the resemblance issue is a sad one (those sisters in CRIMES OF THE HEART weren't exactly look-alikes). But I bet there's a wild card for Mattie Fae.

What about Margo Martindale?

[ClapYo'Hands]

Carol Burnett would have been a terrific Mattie Fae!

[GlindatheGood22]

On what planet?

Also, my favorite phrase in the article is "and dramatic things happen."

[wonderfulwizard11]

Seriously- if Kathy Bates, who's about as perfect for this part as one can get, wasn't cast because of a lack of family resemblance with Streep, Carol Burnett would never be cast. Besides, she's simply too old to be playing Mattie Fae.

[nasty_khakis]

Team Martindale!! (though she fits in the "no resemblance" category. Team Smart is also a great idea!

I REALLY wanted Sissy as Violet and Laura Linney as Barbara though, so what do I know?

[random person 112]

Yeah at this point Burnett would have to be Violet or nothing, i think she would certainly be interesting in the role as i have heard august referred to as a mix of Carol Burnett sketch and serious drama.

[Wildcard]

Been hearing that Andrea Riseborough had to pass on the role due to scheduling conflicts

[Auggie27]

Burnett is 79. Ten years ago she was too old.

Margo Martindale will be 61 next week but reads younger. I'd cast her in a heartbeat, as she will land the reality as much as the humor.

[aasjb4ever]

I misread that as Chris Colfer and I was about to get all stabby.

[GlindatheGood22]

I've been thinking. How was Elizabeth Ashley on Bway? I think she would be "name" enough.

[adamgreer]

Elizabeth Ashley was a disaster, in my opinion. Totally cartoony. I hope they keep her far away from this film project.

Too bad about Kathy Bates, who would have been perfect. I don't even agree with that reason, either. Rondi Reed looked nothing like Deanna Dunagan, and it didn't seem to matter.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

I'm a bit annoyed by Wells rejecting Bates based on her lack of resemblance to Streep, it's not like Julia Roberts looks anything like Streep, though part of me hopes that this attempt to seek actors who might be related will result in Jennifer Ehle getting cast as Ivy.
The casting of Chris Cooper couldn't be more brilliant and wonderful, he's gonna be fantastic in this, though I don't think Charlie is as big of a role as others, maybe they'll develop him a little more in the film.
I do like the idea of Clooney as Bill, and wouldn't be surprised to see it happen.

[somethingwicked]

If they want someone to play Ivy who looks like the other women in the film thus far, they should be going after Jennifer Connelly. Her and Roberts could easily play sisters, and she'd be perfect in the role.

[E.Davis]

So if they are going for resemblance to Streep than Jean Smart would be the logical course even though Martindale (Who I have been saying should get the part for months) would be perfect, but is not a strong resemblance to Streep. But hey, if Lily Tomlin can play her sister I am sure she can too.

[GlindatheGood22]

Now that it can't be Kathy Bates I don't care who plays Mattie Fae so long as the line remains, "I'll throw you out on your fat Irish ass."