Scorsese retitled?

One of the projects I’m keeping my eye on extremely closely is Martin Scorsese’s upcoming adaptation of Dennis Lehane’s mystery novel “Shutter Island.” The film will star Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Michelle Williams and Ben Kingsley and begins filming this March in Massachusetts. But apparently the film won’t be titled SHUTTER ISLAND any longer. According to The Boston Herald the film is now titled ASHECLIFFE, the name of the mental hospital in the movie. Frankly I think SHUTTER ISLAND is a better title but hey, I’ll defer to Scorsese on this one. Another question raised is whether Williams will be ready to begin rehearsals next month and filming in March after the death of ex-husband Heath Ledger. And while Williams may or may not star in the film, you might be able to star yourself. Here’s some details on an open casting call:

An open call will be held from 10am to 4pm on Saturday Jan. 26 at Boston University (George Sherman Union- Metcalf Hall) 775 Commonwealth Ave. Boston, MA 02215 to cast extras for the feature film. This film is set in the 1950s in a mental institution with flashbacks to a WWII concentration camp. Casting for people to play mental institution staff (doctors, nurses, orderlies, guards), mental patients (including interesting, quirky or unusual character faces), the malnourished and emaciated concentration camp prisoners (many of whom will have their heads shaved), and people to play WWII American and German soldiers (young athletic types, people with military or law enforcement experience and knowledge of firearms, police officers, fire fighters, ROTC, etc). Seeking men who are willing to have their hair cut short and women with natural-looking hair color, no highlights. Specifically seeking Caucasian and African American people. If you cannot attend the open call, you can mail in a recent picture and contact information to our NY offices – Ashecliffe Production Office, Attn: Grant Wilfley Casting, 51 Sleeper Street, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02210 or email [email protected].

Saying you were in a Scorsese film is a pretty cool opportunity so if you’ve got the means check it out (and of course let us know how it goes…).