Greg Kinnear and Djimon Hounsou Join Renee Zellweger in 'Same Kind of Different as Me'

Have we gotten over our fascination with Renee Zellweger's new face yet? Let's hope so, because not only has all of the conversation about it gotten unseemly, but she's got upcoming projects to talk about. A few days ago she boarded the faith-based drama Same Kind of Different as Me, and now we know who else will be part of this uplifting story, which sounds a little bit like The Intouchables but probably will be less funny.

Greg Kinnear, Djimon Hounsou, and Jon Voight have joined the film, which is based on the bestselling memoir by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. Michael Carney will make his directorial debut, co-writing the script with Hall and Alexandra Foard.  The story tells of how Hall, a wealthy art dealer, befriended Moore who at the time was a homeless man. All of this at the urging of Hall's wife. Here's the synopsis:

An international art dealer Ron Hall (Kinnear) who must befriend a dangerous homeless man (Hounsou) in order to save his struggling marriage to his wife (Zellweger), a woman whose dreams will lead all three of them on the most remarkable journey of their lives. Voight plays Hall's father, with whom he reconciles thanks to the revelations of his new life.

Production is already underway so expect to see the film some time next year.  Kinnear and Hounsou have had an extremely successful 2014 already. Kinnear starred in the biggest Christian-themed movie of the year in Heaven is for Real, which broke $100M. Hounsou had a supporting role in Guardians of the Galaxy and voiced the villain in How to Train your Dragon 2.

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Renee Zellweger to Star in Faith-Based Drama 'Same Kind of Different as Me'

Quick, name the last Renee Zellweger film! If you guessed 2010's My Own Love Song you have an abnormal and slightly disturbing knowlege of Zellwegger's filmography. While the forever-developing Bridget Jones' Diary 3 may come up at some point, Zellwegger is getting busier by adding one more project to her slate.

According to Deadline, Zellweger has joined the faith-based drama Same Kind of Different as Me, based on the bestselling memoir by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. The two couldn't have been more different before forming their unexpected friendship; Ron was a wealthy art dealer volunteering at the homeless shelter where Moore was staying. They were introduced by Ron's wife, Deborah, who will be played by Zellwegger. No word on a director or even a writer yet so this project is still pretty early on.

Next up for Zellweger is the courtroom drama, The Whole Truth, which sees her paired up with Keanu Reeves. 

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Renee Zellwegger Seeks 'The Whole Truth'; Martin Sheen Joins Howard Hughes Biopic

* While another Bridget Jones film seems a ways off, Renee Zellwegger has found something to fill the time. She'll join Daniel Craig in The Whole Truth, a courtroom thriller from Frozen River director, Courtney Hunt. That's about all we know about the film at this point, but this will be Zellwegger's first big screen role since 2010's My Own Love Song....which nobody saw. [Variety]

* Hard to believe, but Martin Sheen and Warren Beatty will work together fro the first time on the latter's upcoming Howard Hughes biopic. The untitled film, which Beatty wrote, directed, and will star in, also features Annette Bening, Alden Ehrenreich, Lily Collins, and Matthew Broderick in a story centered on Hughes' assistant and his love interest, which may develop into a love triangle. [Deadline]

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Renee Zellwegger to make directorial debut and star in '4 1/2 Minutes'

After a prolific start to her career, we haven't really seen much of Renee Zellwegger lately. Honestly, I've always sort of felt like she's been living off the Bridget Jones' Diary movies forever, and once those fell out of view the work has dried up. That might all change if Bridget Jones' Baby ever gets rolling, but for now Zellwegger is trying her hand at something new by stepping behind the camera for the first time.

Variety reports that she'll make her directorial debut and star in 4 1/2 Minutes, based on the comedy of stand-up comedian, Dov Davidoff. Johnny Knoxille will play Jimmy Bennett, a trainwreck of a comedian with commitment issues who takes a job looking after the genius son of a single parent. The story is set in the NYC stand-up comedy world. The script comes from Anthony Tambakis(Warrior), with Davidoff sharing a story credit. Hopefully Tambakis has better luck here than with his highly slept on MMA flick.

This sounds like a perfect role for Knoxville, who when given the opportunity has shown he's capable of doing solid work. It's an intriguing step for Zellwegger at this stage of her career, but I'd be lying if I said the thought of her directing does much for me. Production is slated to being in February.

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Trailer Time: Case 39, starring Renee Zellweger and Bradley Cooper

Case 39 is old before it ever hits a single US theater. It's been shuffled around more than an orphan with a bad attitude. Originally shot in 2006, the horror starring a still awful and puffy looking Renee Zellwegger was due to be released in February 2008. That got pushed back to August, then April '09, then early 2010. Even that wasn't a soft enough spot, as it was shoved again onto October 1st 2010 where it can get lost in the Halloween horror shuffle.

One look at the trailer should tell you why. If this doesn't look like all those terrible J-horror films that stunk up theaters after The Ring then I don't know what does. The only thing interesting about it is Bradley Cooper's beard.  Check out the trailer for yourself, and let us know what you think.

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