UPDATE: Slashfilm is now retracting the story, saying Overture has not cast Hoffman but they will release the full cast-list later this week. Bottom line: this movie is still happening.
Slashfilm and The New York Times both seem to be thinking there’s a good chance Philip Seymour Hoffman will be in LET ME IN, the unnecessary remake of LET THE RIGHT ONE IN which is currently being prepped by Overture Films. His name appears in the cast list on the NY TIMES site, and Slashfilm apparently got a separate tip that the actor is participating in the film.
We can speculate that Hoffman – if indeed he ends up being in the film – will take on the role of Haken, who is Eli’s father-figure/servant in LET THE RIGHT ONE IN. I suppose I can picture it, but then again, I can’t really see this remake being anywhere near as effective as the original, so I guess we should just wait and see. (Or call the whole thing off.)
If we want to reach a little – LET ME IN director Matt Reeves is tight with J.J. Abrams, who produced Reeves’ CLOVERFIELD and worked with him on “Felicity”. Abrams directed MISSION IMPOSSIBLE III, which of course featured Hoffman in a co-starring role. Just playing Devil’s Advocate here. (But don’t expect me to speak in a horrible Southern accent.)
Kodi Smit-McPhee (THE ROAD) will take on the role of “Owen” (“Oskar” in the original) and, supposedly, Chloe Moritz will play “Abby” (formerly “Eli”). LET ME IN had a JANUARY 15, 2010 release date, but now it’s unspecified.