What a cast this movie has! It’s “Gigantic”!

Zooey Deschanel, Paul Dano, John Goodman, Ed Asner and Jane Alexander star in “Gigantic,” a comedy that’s has just been picked up by First Independent Pictures.

Executive producer Dano plays a mattress salesman who wants to adopt a Chinese baby. Deschanel (pictured, with Mark Wahlberg) plays an off-kilter woman who distracts him during his quest. She’s SO good at the off-kilter women.

The film premiered in September at the Toronto International Film Festival and screened this weekend at the American Film Market, where the deal was closed.

Anyone seen this film? Is it good?

My friend and writing colleague, Charmian Christie, had the opportunity to talk with Ioan Gruffudd about his diverse acting career. Read on for their Q&A…

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With unconventional good looks and a name that’s easier to pronounce than read, Ioan Gruffudd (pronounced YO-en GRIFF-ith) might be the biggest celebrity you don’t know you know. Although instantly recognized in Britain, Gruffudd coasts under the radar of North American mainstream media, despite landing roles in major Hollywood films like Titanic, Fantastic Four, Black Hawk Down and 102 Dalmatians. And that’s fine with him. He thinks a bit of mystery helps.

The former child star is full of such surprises. Although he’s spent most of his 34 years in front of a camera and now lives in Tinsel Town, acting isn’t his life. Having refused to Anglicize his name, he doesn’t miss Wales. And he actually likes driving in LA.

More after the jump…

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One of my favorite actors, Greg Kinnear, and Flash of Genius director Marc Abraham sat down with the Shootout boys at the Toronto Film Festival. Kinnear talks about the appeal of flawed characters and a movie about a windshield-wiper guy. The film will be in theaters Oct. 17, but check out my advance review here. It’s one of my favorite films so far this year.

Wow, those New York Post folks are edgy, aren’t they? During a screening at the Toronto Film Festival last week, NYP film critic Lou Lumenick throttled Chicago Sun-Times film critic Roger Ebert.

Here’s the scoop: Apparently, Ebert was sitting behind Lumenick during the screening of a film that included subtitles. Since Ebert is unable to speak after thyroid cancer, he tapped Lumenick on the shoulder to see if he’d move his head so he could see the film.

More after the jump…you wanna know what I think about this, don’t you?

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Variety is reporting that Fox Searchlight Pictures has picked up director Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler at the Toronto International Film Festival for about $4 million. The drama won The Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday.

The film centers on Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke), a burned-out, 1980s-era pro wrestler. After suffering a heart attack during a small-time match, a doctor tells him he could die if he fights again.

So Robinson takes a job at a deli, moves in with an aging stripper, and tries to build a relationship with her son. But the call of the ring — and a rematch with his old nemesis — looms large.

Mickey Rourke has averaged a few movies every year for the past 30 years or so. I remember thinking he was such an interesting and sexy character in 1990’s Wild Orchid. I don’t know if he’s just playing up the worn-out actor/wrestler thing, but man, he looks tough in recent film fest pictures. Don’t you think? Or is it just me? I don’t know if this is his comeback or his swan song.

Burn After Reading is playing at the Toronto Film Festival, and the stars were on the red carpet talking up the film. Tilda Swinton summed it up perfectly when she said that if you watch one segment of a Coen Brothers movie, you know right away it’s a Coen Brothers movie. I’m such a big fan of their films and look forward to seeing Burn After Reading.

The Duchess premiered at the Toronto Film Festival on Sunday, and opens in limited release Sept. 19, 200. It follows the life of 18th century aristocrat Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, who was reviled for her extravagant political and personal life (some critics are drawing comparisons to Princess Diana). Here are a couple of clips of Keira Knightley and director Saul Dibb talking about the film, followed by the theatrical trailer:

More after the jump, including a trailer…

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