Three impressive thesps, Paul Giamatti (Cinderella Man), Billy Bob Thornton (Sling Blade) and Jacki Weaver (Animal Kingdom) have joined the cast of the John F. Kennedy feature film Parkland.
Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman are producing in association with Exclusive Media, who has optioned the rights to the book that the film is based on, ‘Reclaiming History: The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy,’ by a former L.A. County Deputy Vincent Bugliosi, best known for prosecuting Charles Manson.
The real-life drama will mark the directorial debut of scribe Peter Landesman (Trade) who also wrote an adapted screenplay.
The film recounts the chaotic events that occurred at Parkland Hospital in Dallas on the day Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. Parkland will be shot in Austin, Texas and eyeing a 2013 US theatrical release around the 50th anniversary of the assassination, which will be November 22nd.
Exclusive Media Group co-chairmen Nigel Sinclair and Guy East said in a statement:
“Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman are two exceptional producers with great taste so we are delighted to be collaborating with them on this fascinating film about such a significant chapter in American history. Paul, Billy Bob and Jacki are perfectly cast to bring Vincent’s book to life. It’s the definitive account of the untold events that took place in Parkland Hospital on that infamous day – it’s a unique and compelling story and Peter’s adaptation is remarkable.”
Parkland Hospital is where John F. Kennedy himself, his assassin Lee Harvey Oswald, and Jack Ruby, who killed Oswald, all died.
There’s no word yet on what characters the actors will play, so stay tuned.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq1PbgeBoQ4[/youtube]
