Emmy- and Tony-winning actor Bryan Cranston said on “CBS This Morning” Tuesday that he was “growing some scruff” because he needed it to begin shooting the film “Last Flag Flying” next month in Pittsburgh.
He confirmed reports that the film directed by Richard Linklater (”Boyhood”) would co-star Steve Carell and Laurence Fishburne, in what the director has said is a sort of sequel to “The Last Detail.” The 1973 movie directed by Hal Ashby is an adaptation of Darryl Ponicsan’s novel about two Navy petty officers (Jack Nicholson and Otis Young) warming to a third (Randy Quaid) while escorting him from Virginia to a New Hampshire prison.
“Last Flag Flying” was published by Mr. Ponicsan in 2005 as a follow-up to 1970’s “The Last Detail.” The latest novel continues the story of the two former Naval officers, who come to the aid of the now ex-con while trying to bring home the body of his son, who was killed in Iraq.
Movie Extras Pittsburgh said in an Oct. 6 post on Facebook that “we are doing background casting on the feature film ‘Last Flag Flying.’ “ The post at @MovieCastingPGH directs you to www.movieextraspittsburgh.com for upcoming details. Extras casting director Chelsea Peterson’s work in Pittsburgh includes “Outsiders,” “Southpaw” and “Concussion.”
J. Quinton Johnson, who appeared in Mr. Linklater’s “Everybody Wants Some,” reportedly will play the dead soldier’s best friend, who is responsible for escorting the body. “He gets pulled into the plans and comes along for an unexpected journey,” Variety said.
Mr. Carell was nominated for an Oscar for “Foxcatcher,” which was filmed in Western Pennsylvania. Mr. Cranston is best known for his award-winning turn in the TV series “Breaking Bad,” and veteran actor Mr. Fishburne stars in the ABC sitcom “black-ish.”
Amazon Studios is reported to be financing and distributing the new film.
Sharon Eberson: seberson@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1960. Twitter: @SEberson_pg.
First Published: October 11, 2016, 2:44 p.m.
Updated: October 11, 2016, 2:44 p.m.
