In the opening scene of Inglourious Basterds, Hans Landa remarks to Perrier Lapadite, that each of his daughters “is more lovely than the last.” Landa was correct, and none of the daughters was more lovely than the gal played by Lea Seydoux, who also recently appeared in Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood (which I now have a reason to catch up on). Seydoux is transitioning quickly into American films, having just finished work on Woody Allen’s latest production, and now apparently signing on to appear as a villain in Brad Bird’s Mission: Impossible IV. What her connection with the previously reported villain played by Mikael Blomkvist will be is unclear, but if they are partners then Blomkvist will be a lucky man on the shoot.
The news above comes from THR, but Deadline also broke an M:I4 casting bit of their own, with news that Anil Kapoor, the scummy host from Slumdog Millionaire (“Computer-ji, a lock kiya-jaye!”), is in talks to join the film. Originally the story pegged him as another villain, however it has since been amended after word from Paramount arrived, stating that he would play “an integral supporting role.”
Brad Bird continues to accumulate an interesting cast for his first foray into live-action filmmaking. It will be nice to have a strong batch of actors to back what I expect will be top-notch action. I’ve really got my fingers crossed for the script and the production in general, as the M:I franchise still carries a lot of potential, and more Brad Bird is always a good thing.