We’ve known for quite awhile (almost a year) that the legendary Coen Bros. are going to be bringing us a new adaptation/remake of True Grit, which was originally a novel written by Charles Portis, which was made famous by a 1969 John Wayne movie (the only role Wayne won an Oscar for, FYI).
There’s four main characters in True Grit, three of which have actors already attached to them: Jeff Bridges is starring in the movie as U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn (the role Wayne originally played) and both Matt Damon and Josh Brolin are attached to the roles of La Beouf (the lawman Cogburn teams up with) and Tom Chaney (the killer of a 14-year-old girl’s father). The fourth role is, of course, the little girl and she remains the only character yet to be cast.
However, now it’s being reported by Deadline Hollywood that a young actress by the name of Hailee Steinfeld has been tapped to play the role of 14-year-old Mattie Ross. Steinfeld is an unknown actress but she does have some credits to her name (although Empire notes that her biggest role was as “Little Girl” on the short-lived Kelsey Grammer sitcom, Back To You). She was chosen out of 15,000 young hopefuls (wow, that’s a BIG casting search).
Ross’s role was key one in the original True Grit book; it is her father who’s gunned down in cold blood, which causes her to enlist the help of Cogburn to track the killer. The book is very much filtered through Mattie’s point-of-view, and it sounds like a tough role, but the Coens obviously wouldn’t have chosen someone who wasn’t up to the task. I, for one, trust their judgment – their track record has certainly earned my faith.
Do you like who they’ve found as the last piece of the acting puzzle for True Grit (do you even know anything about her)? Are you looking forward to the Coens’ sure-to-be-unique take on the story?
True Grit recently snagged a Christmas Day 2010 release date. Filming is set to begin shortly.
Source: Deadline Hollywood
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I like the casting decisions, and I agree with you Ross–I trust the Coens. I'm looking forward to seeing what their take is on the story.
I like the casting decisions, and I agree with you Ross–I trust the Coens. I'm looking forward to seeing what their take is on the story.
I have worked with Hailee three times and she is an amazing actress! I know she will take the world by storm!
If its anything like 4:10 to Yuma im game. But knowing the Coen bros are behind this makes me even more excited.
Im not a big fan of old westerns, i love the direction Hollywood has been taking the last few years with westerns:
Appaloosa, No Country for Old Men (i know its not technically a western but it had that feel) 4:10 to Yuma, and the 3 burials of Maqueis estrada etc..
If its anything like 4:10 to Yuma im game. But knowing the Coen bros are behind this makes me even more excited.
Im not a big fan of old westerns, i love the direction Hollywood has been taking the last few years with westerns:
Appaloosa, No Country for Old Men (i know its not technically a western but it had that feel) 4:10 to Yuma, and the 3 burials of Maqueis estrada etc..
Loved the movie. loved the new actress. she is amazing. refreshing wonderful. I recommend this to all western buffs. Blazing guns and scenery. super acting. I will buy the dvd when its out but the big screen does it justice. SEE IT!