Wilson and Nolte enlist in ‘Tropic Thunder’; more extras needed

by Todd A. Vines - The Garden Island

Posted: Thursday, Jun 21, 2007 - 11:06:59 pm HST

Hundreds of Kaua‘i residents have already been picked to be part of the big-budget comedy “Tropic Thunder,” soon to begin production on the island, but more extras are needed, said extras casting director DeeDee Rickets.

Rickets said there are still hundreds of roles to fill depicting a wide range of ethnic backgrounds for the DreamWorks Pictures project.

An open casting call will be held tomorrow at the ResortQuest Kauai Beach at Makaiwa between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. The first hour is reserved for Screen Actors Guild members only.

Among the roles yet cast are that of Vietnamese villagers and soldiers, U.S. military personnel and an assortment of “unique characters.”

Rickets said she’s also looking for a Vietnamese boy between ages two and four for a feature role, and needs athletic individuals who can do stunts and girls who can dance.

Hopefuls are asked to wear a plain, neutral-colored T-shirt or tank top to the call. No previous acting experience is required.

Shooting is scheduled to take place between July and October.

Some 350 people turned out for last weekend’s open call and more than twice that number came out for the film’s initial open call in May.

In related news, the “Thunder” camp confirmed this week that Owen Wilson and Nick Nolte will go commando and join the film’s all-star cast. Already signed on are Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr. and Jay Baruchel from “Knocked Up.” Stiller will also produce.

Wilson and Stiller are frequent collaborators, appearing together in such films as “Zoolander,” “Meet The Parents,” “Starsky and Hutch” and, most recently, “Night at the Museum.”

Set for a summer 2008 release, “Tropic Thunder” follows a group of actors who go on location to shoot a Vietnam war movie when a series of freak events force them to become the soldiers they set out to portray.

For more information about the open call, phone the casting hotline at (808) 823-1909.

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