Role Call: So Much Talent, So Little Time!

With the amount of talent in the Harry Potter films, it really never comes as a surprise that there are always new projects to announce each week as part of our Casting News section. This week, however, it gets a little crazy! Take a break from those Ordinary Wizarding Level examinations and check in on your favorite Potter cast members to see what they’re up to this week:

Among his many other projects, Stephen Fry will continue his role as narrator for LittleBigPlanet 3. Fry has narrated the previous 2 games for Sony, who confirmed his involvement in the third edition, which is scheduled for release this November for the PS4 console.

Emma Thompson may be adding yet another project to her already full plate. The actress is currently filming The Long Midnight of Barney Thompson, but there have been rumors that she will reprise her role as Mrs. Lovett in the English National Opera’s Spring production of Sweeney Todd in 2015. While this is only a rumor at this point, it seems an obvious choice for the role since Thompson just wrapped a performance of the same production in New York earlier this year.

Another rumor that keeps popping up is whether or not Freddie Stroma will return for the sequel to Pitch Perfect, which is currently filming. His role in the sequel is merely listed as rumored, but the actor is busy currently promoting his next film, The Inbetweeners 2, which will premiere in the UK this August. The comedy will follow a group of friends on an Australian holiday and the hijinks that ensue. We’re going to keep an eye on this Perfect rumor and update as information becomes available.

We previously reported that Bill Nighy had taken a role in the West End stage production of Skylight, a role that both he and Sir Michael Gambon had played previously in 1995 and 1996. In an interview with The Telegraph last week, Nighy talks about what made him return to a role he’d previously played  and what he hopes the audience will gain from the show:

You won’t be surprised to hear me say that I admire David Hare as much as I admire certainly any writer ever. It’s stylised and it’s heightened, to great effect. It’s elegant and it’s funny and that’s the way to my heart, frankly…The evening, the couple of hours you’ll spend with us, hopefully you will be moved by large human themes and you will be entertained and you will be made to laugh.”

Emma Watson has confirmed her interest in the long-delayed live action remake of Beauty and the Beast, which had been reworked by writer and director Guillermo Del Toro. She previously stated that it was simply a matter of timing, but that she hoped it would happen. Unfortunately, Del Toro, who was scheduled to direct the film, has had to withdraw as director due to “other commitments”, according to Deadline. He will stay on as producer, however. Let’s hope this film gets made, because Emma would be so good in this film!

If you haven’t been already, you should start following Jason Isaacs on Instagram. The actor has been posting photos from his time on set of the currently in-production television drama, Dig. Isaacs plays a detective trying to solve a murder, but finds himself in the middle of a consipiracy in Jerusalem. You can follow Jason here and take a look below at one of the pics he snapped with actor Richard E. Grant, who also happens to star on Season 5 of Downton Abbey with Dame Maggie Smith!

Isaacs isn’t the only one being featured in on-set pics – producer Susie Liggat of the BBC adaptation of Mapp and Lucia, starring Miranda Richardson, has been tweeting photos of the actress on set and in costume. The three part series does not currently have an air date but is scheduled to continue filming this summer. Take a look at the photos of Miranda here:

A new television series directed by David Yates has released a “First Look” in anticipation of the premiere. Tyrant, a political drama set in the Middle East and produced by the same team as the award-winning cable series Homeland, is set to air this summer on US network FX and looks to be a real nail-biter! Take a look here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jMhJW7-HUs#t=15

Finally, a teaser trailer for David Tennant‘s new comedy, What We Did On Our Holiday, has been released. David plays a man named Doug who travels with his wife and three children to a birthday party for Doug’s father in the Scottish Highlands. However, the kids do more than just enjoy the trip – they spill the beans on what really happens when their grandfather is not around! Take a look at the trailer below:

That’s all for this week’s edition of Casting News! Tell us what you think about the rumors and latest projects that are upcoming for your favorite Potter alum by commenting below.