Casting Call: Holmes gets 'Romantic' and Freeman gets 'Dirty'

Katie Holmes wasn't afraid of the dark, so now Mrs. Tom Cruise is taking on the role of star and executive producer of the indie comedy "The Romantics," according to Variety.

Holmes, who just wrapped up Guilllermo del Toro's monster remake of "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark," takes over the spot left by Liv Tyler. The project, which centers on a group of college friends who come together for a wedding, begins shooting this week in New York.

"The Romantics" also stars "True Blood"'s Anna Paquin, Josh Duhamel, Malin Akerman ("The Watchmen" and "Couples Retreat"), Adam Brody and Elijah Wood.

--Morgan Freeman is going the way of raunchy comedy with Warner Bros. untitled comedy formerly known as "Dirty Old Men," per The Hollywood Reporter.

The flick revolves around an aging playboy who finally meets the love of his life and his best friend and wingman for the past 40 years (Freeman) who does everything to break up the new couple. The tone is described as similar to "Wedding Crashers" and "The 40-Year-Old Virgin."
Peter Segal ("Get Smart") is in talks to direct. Until then Freeman will be portraying Nelson Mandela in Clint Eastwood's "Invictus," and shooting Summit's action thriller "Red."