Casting Call: Leighton Meester, Amber Heard are 'Cowgirl Bandits'; Ian Somerhalder rocks 'Cradlewood'

By Andy Grieser

October 16, 2009 7:11 AM

It's television time at the movies on a weekend where small-screen stars take over theaters with "The Stepfather." One star of that film, Amber Heard, will team up with "Gossip Girl's" Leighton Meester, while "The Vampire Diaries'" Ian Somerhalder finds another dark fairy tale.

Heard, who also starred on television's "Wild Palms," and Meester will star in an unofficial remake of "Thelma & Louise," the trades say. The two road-trip across the country to escape their everyday lives, according to Production Weekly.

Jess Manafort, who directed Heard in 2007's "Remember the Daze," will helm. Otherwise, details are scarce.

-- Not scarce are casting calls for Somerhalder. The actor, who is also making a return to "Lost" for that show's final season, will take the lead in independent drama "Cradlewood."

The story centers on a man (Somerhalder) whose family is apparently cursed: In return for great wealth, every time a son is born, the father dies. No points for guessing that after a series of unfortunate events, Somerhalder's character suspects his girlfriend ("The Boys Are Back's" Emma Lung) might just be preggers with his son.

"Cradlewood" is set to begin filming next April in Melbourne, Australia.

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