Rhys Ifans Goes 'Through the Looking Glass'; Jonny Weston and Suki Waterhouse Join 'Insurgent'

* And the Mad Hatter has a new daddy. While Mark Rylance was said to be up for the role of Zanik Hightopp, the father of Johnny Depp's Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland sequel, Through the Looking Glass, the part has instead been claimed by Rhys Ifans. He joins the returning Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, and Mia Wasikowska, along with Sacha Baron Cohen as Time, the film's primary villain. Linda Woolverton is again providing the script with James Bobin coming aboard to direct. Through the Looking Glass is set to open May 27th 2016. [TheWrap]

* Filming on the Divergent sequel, Insurgent, kicked off this week and with it the cast has been firmed up with the additions of Jonny Weston (Chasing Mavericks) and model/actress Suki Waterhouse, who apparently has no connection to Sooki Stackhouse. Weston's role is unclear but Stackhouse will be Marlene, a member of the Dauntless faction alongside Shailene Woodley's Tris and Theo James' Four. They join Octavia Spencer, Kate Winslet, Ansel Elgort, Miles Teller, Jai Courtney, and Zoe Kravitz in the Robert Schwentke-directed film, set to open March 20th 2015.

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Sacha Baron Cohen Eyes Role in 'Alice in Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass'

The fifth Pirates of the Caribbean may be on hold and Johnny Depp isn't likely to be Doctor Strange, but the sequel to Alice in Wonderland is definitely still happening as Disney looks to continue the $1B franchise. With Depp expected to return as the Mad Hatter and Mia Wasikowska in the title role, it looks like the multi-talented Sacha Baron Cohen may be going down the rabbit hole.

According to Variety, Cohen is in talks to play the villain in Alice in Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass, to be directed by James Bobin rather than Tim Burton. Cohen and Depp worked together previously on Burton's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Linda Woolverton is back to pen the story which is being kept under wrap, but hopefully it gives Cohen the chance to show off his musical and comedy skills.

Alice in Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass is expected to open on May 27th 2016.

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