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Jennifer Love Hewitt has just signed on to play
the devil in the upcoming film The Devil & Daniel Webster. The film, which costars Academy Award Winner Anthony Hopkins and director Alec Baldwin, is based on a classic novel by Stephen
Vincent Bonet about a down on his luck man that make's a deal with the devil.
-The film will find Jabez Stone (Baldwin) making a deal with the devil (Love) to find success as a best-selling author. As payment for the success, the writer will sign away his soul after 10 years. When the 10 years are up, the author begs Daniel Webster (Hopkins), the top man at a publishing company, to help him out of the deal.
JLH in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter says she looks forward to doing a different, more grown up role.
Filming is scheduled to start in January.
more...
LOS ANGELES (The Hollywood Reporter) --- Jennifer Love Hewitt will star as the devil in a contemporary retelling of the classic tale "The Devil and Daniel Webster" opposite Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin for Cutting Edge Entertainment and El Dorado Pictures.
Baldwin will make his feature directorial debut with the project, slated to go before cameras Jan. 15 in New York (HR 10/4).
In the role of the devil, Hewitt will go head to head with Hopkins' character in a heated battle for the soul of a writer, played by Baldwin. This version of "Devil" was first adapted for the big screen by Pete Dexter ("Michael") and most recently by Bill Condon ("Gods and Monsters") and Nancy Cassaro.
"It's definitely a different role than I normally take, but the character is amazing and incredibly well-written," Hewitt told The Hollywood Reporter. "It is a more grown-up role for me. And I want to show that I am growing as a woman and a human being and am ready to take on more adult roles. This project has all the things that an actor looks for. And obviously working with Alec (Baldwin) and Anthony (Hopkins) is never a bad thing. I have such respect for them."
Set in New York's literary world, the updated version of Stephen Vincent Benet's story centers on Jabez Stone (Baldwin), who makes a deal with the devil (Hewitt) to become a best-selling author in exchange for his soul after 10 years. The 10 years slip by like hours, and the author must implore Webster (Hopkins), the head of the most powerful publishing firm in New York, to get him out of the deal. In a battle of wits and words, the devil and Webster go to trial over the author's soul.
"She's a sexy devil, a smart devil and an evil devil -- all the things that you expect the devil to be, just with a sweeter face than you might expect," Hewitt said. "I have a lot to prepare for in taking this role. I'm going to look into a new part of myself for this role and prepare by stealing some souls and hearts."
Budgeted at about $25 million, the project will be solely financed by Cutting Edge, an indie film production and international sales and financing company. Cutting Edge will handle international distribution, and domestic distribution rights will be jointly repped by CAA and WMA International.
El Dorado's Baldwin and Jon Cornick will produce with Cutting Edge CEO David Glasser and president Adam Stone.
Hewitt recently wrapped a starring role in the comedy "Breakers" for MGM, in which she plays the daughter of Sigourney Weaver's character. "Breakers" is slated to be released early next year.
On the set of the movie:
more pics of Jennifer on the set of the Devil and Daniel Webster
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