Garrett Hedlund Cast in Coen Bros.’ ‘Inside Llewin Davis’

With Akira‘s production being halted for the time being, Minnesota-born Garrett Hedlund suddenly found himself starring at his wide open schedule in disbelief. But not to worry, Joel and Ethan Cohen are coming to the rescue as Variety reports that the actor will join Justin Timberlake, Carey Mulligan, Oscar Isaac, and John Goodman in the folk drama Inside Llewyn Davis.

The project is said to be loosely based on the life of Greenwich Village musician Dave van Ronk. Isaac will star as Davis, a talented musician trying to make it big in New York City. Timberlake will play Jim, a fellow folk musician who is married to Mulligan’s character Jean. There is no word on who Hedlund’s character is, but he should have no problem fitting in with the rest of cast from a musical perspective. He showed off his impressive vocal cords in 2010′s Country Strong.

Hedlund, who also previously starred in Tron: Legacy and is set to appear in Walter Salles’ On the Road, is still looking for his breakout role. Maybe the Coens will be able to turn his career around?

36 Comments

  1. Lilac says:

    I’m really excited for this project and Garrett being taken seriously as an actor. His dedication to On the Road and work with Walter Salles is inspiring. I know some are probably skeptical but he was good in Country Strong.

    I’m also very excited to see Carey Mulligan and Oscar Isaac reunited.

  2. Gibbs says:

    I feel Hedlund is getting an unfair amount of criticism for the terrible script of Tron Legacy. Watch him in Death Sentence, he is really good in it.

  3. I think Garrett Hedlund is an OK actor. He was much better in Country Strong no matter how bad that film was. Plus, it’s the Coen Brothers. They’ve had a few misses but they have managed to get people excited for whatever they make.

    • Castor says:

      Yea, the Coen brothers usually know what they are doing in terms of casting. Hopefully they seeing something a lot of people haven’t seen in Hedlund ;)

  4. John says:

    I have no clue who Gary Hedgerton is, but if the Coens trust him, I trust him.

  5. Scott says:

    This sounds right up my street!!

    Thanks for sharing the news Castor

  6. Will says:

    I’ve honestly never heard of this guy, but I’m always excited for more Coen Bros. Been wondering what they’ve been up to. Should be interesting. I read Bob Dylan’s Chronicles book a few years back and a lot of it takes place in the village. Dave Van Ronk comes up a lot in it, and I look forward to seeing some of that come alive in the film.

  7. Well as far as I’m concerned, anything Hedlund does is great. He’s an amazing actor but someone needs to get his career in gear. Maybe the Coen Bros can do it since no one else is.

    Good for Garrett. he needs to start showing up in a LOT more movies! He’s by far one of the best out there!

  8. Jaina says:

    I remember he was hailed as the next big thing when he was cast in Troy as Achilles’ cousin. But that never really worked for him either. Here’s hoping the Coen’s can turn it around for him.

  9. Aziza says:

    Oh, I love Garrett Hedlund! Beware of me when On the Road gets out, I will drive all of you crazy! I’m so happy he got cast in the new Coen Brothers movie, that means more projects for him! Yey!

  10. Dave Enkosky says:

    I’m honestly not that familiar with Garrett, but this new Coen Bros has me intrigued. Love the rest of the cast and I’m excited to see this story told.

  11. Andrew says:

    If anyone could make a good actor out of Hedlund, it’s the Coen brothers. After his atrocious turn in Tron: Legacy, I remain 100% skeptical.

    • ruth says:

      “If anyone could make a good actor out of Hedlund, it’s the Coen brothers.” Well let’s hope so Andrew :)

      • Castor says:

        Haven’t seen Tron Legacy but I’m kind of curious because so many people are blaming his poor acting.

        • Jaina says:

          I have a soft spot for Tron: Legacy. It’s a simple story, Jeff Bridges is kinda cool, there’s some cheesy dialog, but the soundtrack saves the film for me. Oh and the aesthetics – it looks stunning. Garret didn’t sell it for me. I’m hoping it was just his character!

        • Andrew says:

          Tron: Legacy‘s problems are rooted much more in the script, but even if the script had been stellar we’d still be left with a really blank performance from Hedlund. He just brings nothing to the character. That’s not the script’s fault, it’s his; they’re two big problems that end up sinking the film, though I’d point to the script before Hedlund as to the real downfall of the picture.

  12. Greg Cwik says:

    I don’t understand the praise for Hedlund. Nothing he’s done has been very good, and that includes Friday Night Lights, which has just a sliver of the book’s excellence. He did get nominated for a Teen Choice Award, if that’s why you’re all so excited. As for the Coens, I really want that Barton Finnk “sequel” to get in motion, if they weren’t kidding. That would get me stoked.

  13. ruth says:

    So Minnesotans unite! :) I’m still not convinced of Hedlund’s acting ability since I saw him in TRON. He’s got the looks but not the charm, at least from what I’ve seen. At least he seems better than another MN heartthrob Josh Hartnett though.

  14. good for Hedlund. I want to see more of his movies. I think he could turn into something bigtime with the right role choices!

    -T (previously TheScarletSp1der)

  15. Max says:

    I thought he was alright in Tron: Legacy. He didn’t have much to work with. Hedlund could have a brighter future than his past.

  16. Marshall says:

    Hedlund had a pretty decent voice in “Country Strong” – then again, so did “George Clooney” in the Coens’ “O Brother Where Art Thou?”

  17. Thanks for this casting update. Looks like an interesting flick and I’m excited to see Oscar Isaac in the lead!

    I’m also noticing John Goodman in more and more of these films lately. Really glad to see him back on the screen!

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