Hoffman joins Hanks, Roberts in Uni's 'War,' also 'Dead' in Lumet film (VAR)
By Stephen Saito
Phillip Seymour Hoffman will co-star with Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts in Mike Nichols' Cold War drama "Charlie Wilson's War" for Universal as well as appearing in "Before The Devil Knows You're Dead," an independent drama from director Sidney Lumet. Ethan Hawke, Albert Finney and Marisa Tomei will co-star in the film. Writes Variety:
"Charlie Wilson's War" is directed by Mike Nichols and produced for U by Playtone partners Hanks and Gary Goetzman. Aaron Sorkin adapted George Crile's book about a rogue congressman and CIA agent who found the means to secretly arm rebels to fight against invading Soviet troops in Afghanistan in the early 1980s. Hoffman will play the CIA agent. Shooting begins Oct. 10.
Hoffman will first shoot "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead," about brothers who try to rob their parents' jewelry store, only to botch the job.
Lumet, Kelly Masterson and Austin Chick wrote the script. Michael Cerenzie is producing. Capitol will broker distribution rights.
