Three Big Stars Join “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close”

Three Big Stars Join “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close”

Movie News

By our guest blogger, Joe Oliveto

“Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close,” the big-screen adaptation of the novel of the same name, recently scored three big names for its cast, The Hollywood Reporter says. Big stars John Goodman, Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock have all signed on to star in the Stephen Daldry-directed drama.

The novel, by Jonathan Safran Foer, focuses on a young boy (we’re guessing that none of those actors got that particular part) who lost his father in the attacks of 9/11 and goes on a journey throughout NYC that brings him into contact with a number of other grieving characters. While it’s not exactly clear who Hanks and Bullock will play, we do know that Goodman will portray the doorman working at the building that the little boy lives in.

Previous attempts to tackle the subject of 9/11 on film haven’t been successful, at least at the box office. “25th Hour,” one of Spike Lee’s best films ever, was greeted with praise by most critics but generally ignored by an audience that may not have been ready to watch a movie that dealt so closely with the attitude of New York in the wake of the terrorist attacks. The same goes for “United 93,” which was sensitively directed and impeccably acted, but was too intense for some viewers. “World Trade Center” was made with the best intentions, but the sentimentalism of it seemed out of place when depicting events that occurred so recently.

Perhaps enough time has passed for audiences to take a look at this type of story. The angle at which the story approaches 9/11 may help it find an audience, and the star power will certainly draw a number of people to the theater.

There’s also the little matter of the novel being one of the most popular books in recent years. It’s very early to call it, but this has Oscar written all over it.