Slash Film reckon that five time Coen collaborator, John Goodman has joined the cast of Inside Llewyn Davis, which would make it six appearances in the brothers’ movies, following turns in Raising Arizona, Barton Fink, The Hudsucker Proxy (kinda!), The Big Lebowski and O Brother, Where Art Thou? (not forgetting his role in their stage-based “radio play” Sawbones, their section of Theater of the New Ear). I’m so pleased to see them returning to what was once their repertory company, and I hope for roles for John Turturro, Frances McDormand and Steve Buscemi too! But maybe I’m being greedy!

Also in the frame to join the cast (according to Empire) is one Justin Timberlake! I know, I know, but after his stellar turn in The Social Network, we can’t doubt his acting chops.

According to The Guardian, British actress Carey Mulligan has been cast in the Coen brothers’ forthcoming movie, Inside Llewyn Davis. She joins Oscar Isaac in the cast. The story also appears to confirm that shooting begins in February 2012.

Fred Melamed, last seen playing the incredibly earnest Sy Ableman in A Serious Man, has confirmed in an interview with Empire magazine that the Coen brothers may have a role for him in their future adaptation of Michael Chabon’s The Yiddish Policemen’s Union. In said interview in the April 2010 issue of the magazine, when asked how he landed the role of Sy he said;

“I know the Coens a little bit as I went to school with Joel’s wife, Frances McDormand. I actually auditioned for a role in Barton Fink, the pushy movie executive, but Michael Lerner got it. Then they offered me a part in The Hudsucker Proxy, a character wearing only a baby diaper. Luckily, I wasn’t available. Finally, we made it work. And they told me there may be a part for me in The Yiddish Policemen’s Union, when they make that.”

I would love Melamed to become one of the Coen Family.

Variety is reporting that actor, Barry Pepper, has joined the cast of the Coen brothers’ forthcoming adaptation of Charles Portis’ novel, True Grit. He will play the part of ‘Lucky’ Ned Pepper (played by Robert Duvall in the 1969 John Wayne version) and joins Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin and newcomer Hailee Steinfeld in the cast.

Pepper is perhaps best known for his role as crack sniper, Pvt. Daniel Jackson in Steven Spielberg’s (who acts as a producer on True Grit incidentally) Saving Private Ryan and for his part in the interminable, Scientology nonsense, Battlefield Earth. I recommend checking out the excellent Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada in which he played alongside No Country For Old Men star, Tommy Lee Jones.

Last week it was nothing more than rumour but now Variety have confirmed that 13 year-old newcomer, Hailee Steinfeld has been plucked from the 15,000 girls who auditioned, and has been cast in the coveted role of Mattie Ross in the Coen brothers’ forthcoming True Grit. The movie starts shooting next month and she’ll star alongside Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon and Josh Brolin.

Well done to her!

It seems the Coen brothers might be struggling to fill the role of Mattie Ross in their forthcoming adaptation of True Grit. Hopeful candidates can now send the casting crew a self-recorded audition via a special website set up especially for this one role.

So, if you’re a 12-14 year-old girl and you’re sassy, what are you waiting for? Head on over to the following site for a scene example and further details…

http://www.truegritcasting.com/index.html

There is another casting session for the Coen brothers’ next movie, True Grit, this time in Waco, Texas. They are seeking a 14 year-old “gritty girl” for the role of Mattie, “preferably the kind that rides horses, gets dirty and speaks her mind.”

The auditions are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in Dodge Hall at the Heart of Texas Fair Complex at 4601 Bosque Blvd. in Waco. More info here.

Thanks to Bunnie for finding this and good luck to anyone who applies!

Long time YKFK reader Bunnie has been in touch with me once again. She’s managed to track down further details of that True Grit casting call. The call is actually for the lead role and focus of the adaptation- the 14 year-old girl, Mattie Ross, whose father has been killed in the story. The session will take place from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Homewood Suites, 5320 W. Loop 289. They are seeking a white girl between the ages of 12 and 16 and the publicity states;

“We are looking for a Caucasian girl who is tough, strong and tells it like it is. We are open to all looks. 14-year-old Mattie is a simple, tough-as-nails young woman. Her steely nerves and straightforward manner are a shocking contrast to the way women behaved in the early century. She is possessed of true grit and plenty of determination, enough so that she insists on going with two marshals to hunt down the killer of her father.”

More information here.

Thanks again to Bunnie!

InstantCast.com has an open casting call for “teens” to fill parts in the Coen brothers next movie, True Grit. Unfortunately the details are hidden unless you’re a “VIP member” which, alas, I am not. However, if you ARE, I’d love to know what it says.

Three of the cast members of A Serious Man, Michael Stuhlbarg, Richard Kind and Sari Lennick discuss just how thorough the Coen brothers were when casting Jews for the movie…