There’s nothing short about the list of big name actors in the cast for the upcoming movie by Anchorman helmer Adam McKay.
Deadline reported on Tuesday that Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell, and Brad Pitt are set to join Melissa Leo and Marisa Tomei in McKay’s adaptation of Michael Lewis’ book, The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine. The book tells the story of the genius contrarian investors who, recognizing just how insane the housing bubble had become, figured out how to “short” the market prior to the financial collapse of 2008.
This is McKay’s first dive into large-scale drama after making a name for himself with comedy hits such as Anchorman, The Other Guys, and Step Brothers. He most recently worked with Marvel and Paul Rudd on the script for Ant-Man, which just released its second trailer, and is rumored to be on the shortlist for all of their upcoming movies.
He shouldn’t have too much difficulty transitioning to drama with a cast like that though. Bale has been an awards favorite of late with his turns in American Hustle (above), The Fighter, and Out of the Furnace. He will next be seen in Terrence Malick’s Knight of Cups after passing on being Steve Jobs in director Danny Boyle’s biopic.
Gosling has been rounding up projects as of late after signing on to be in director Guillermo Del Toro’s adaptation of The Haunted Mansion and possibly the follow-up feature for Whiplash director Damien Chazelle with Emma Stone. Carell is starting to pick up more dramatic roles after his Oscar-nominated turn in Foxcatcher last year while Pitt is always a staple actor and was last seen in Fury and The Counselor.
Lewis has previously had his novels, Moneyball and The Blind Side, adapted into films with both turning out relatively successful. The first one was nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Editing, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars with Pitt grabbing the actor nomination. The Blind Side nabbed Sandra Bullock a Best Actress win and was also nominated for Best Picture.
Tracy Letts, Hamish Linklater, John Magaro, Byron Mann, Rafe Spall, Jeremy Strong, and Finn Wittrock round out the cast with shooting beginning soon in New Orleans.