True Grit national talent search for role of Mattie Ross

*** Casting has been completed ***

The winner of the national search for the role of Mattie Ross in the Coen Brothers’ True Grit is relative unknown Hailee Steinfeld. Hailee is repped by Coast to Coast Talent Group in Los Angeles.

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If you can not attend any of the open casting calls, you may also submit a video taped audition.

Click Here to go to the official True Grit Casting Site.

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Paramount Pictures and The Coen Brothers are holding free acting auditions for a GIRL, AGE 12-16 YEARS OLD to be the lead of their new feature film, “True Grit”.

This is a remake of the western that earned John Wayne his Academy Award as one-eyed sheriff Rooster Cogburn in 1969. In the Coens’ screenplay, “True Grit” will be told from the point of view of Mattie Ross. The movie will begin in 1928, at a point when Mattie tells how she avenged her father’s murder back in 1873, when she was only 14 years old.

The casting directors, Rachel Tenner and Ellen Chenoweth, are seeking the following:

Mattie Ross: Female. Caucasian. 12-16 years of age. Mattie is a simple, tough-as-nails young woman. Her steely nerves and straightforward manner are a shocking contrast to the way women behaved in the early century. She is possessed of true grit and plenty of determination, enough so that she insists on going with two marshals to hunt down the killer of her father.

Do not make the mistake of trying to appear like or imitate Kim Darby (who played Mattie Ross in the original film). The film’s publicists state, “We are looking for a Caucasian girl who is tough, strong and tells it like it is.” The casting directors are looking for REAL (scrubbed-down, no make-up), ‘gritty’ girls! Preferably the kind that rides horses, gets dirty & speaks her mind! They are NOT looking for ‘theatrical’ model types! Rodeo girls (who ride & rope) are best! Not “actor-like / pageant queens”.

According to a release from the casting office, the filmmakers are looking for “a 12-16 yr. old Caucasian girl who is tough, strong and tells it like it is. They are open to all looks, so come give it a try! No acting experience is necessary.”

Writer-directors Joel and Ethan Coen “would love, love, love to find somebody unknown,” said casting director Rachel Tenner, who worked with the Coens on “A Serious Man,” “Burn After Reading” and “No Country for Old Men,” which won the Best Picture Oscar in 2008. “Any girls with an instinct to try should come and give it a shot.”

This film is shooting in New Mexico and Texas and is slated to begin March 20, 2010. The release date is scheduled for Christmas Day, 2010.

Free Casting Call Details

● Bring a current photo to leave with the casting director.
● Only one parent or guardian with each actress trying out.

Florida

Where:

Lori Wyman Casting
16499 NE 19 Ave #203
North Miami Beach, Fl 33162

When:

On Friday 1/15/2010, and the week of 1/18/2010 and 1/22/2010

To set up an appointment:

Email a recent photo and acting resume to:

loriwymancasting@aol.com

Include all contact phone numbers and your email address.

They will contact you if you are right for this role so please check your email and phone messages.

The additional free casting calls will be posted here when available.

See the post titled Headshot and Resume Information regarding how to submit for acting roles via regular mail.

Please submit by mail only.
No phone calls or personal drop-offs.

Principal Actor Casting (New York):

Ellen Chenoweth Casting
c/o The Post Factory
161 6th Ave.
11th Floor
New York, NY 10013

Principal Actor Casting (Los Angeles):

Rachel Tenner
Paramount Pictures
5555 Melrose Ave.
Schulberg Bldg., Room 112
Los Angeles, CA 90038

Production Companies:

Do NOT send photos and resumes to the production companies (they will most likely end up in the trash can), they do not cast the films. They hire casting directors who sort through the thousands of submissions and hold the acting auditions.

Scott Rudin Productions
500 S. Buena Vista Street
Old Animation Bldg.
Room 2H
Burbank, CA 91521-1759

Paramount Pictures
5555 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038-3197

Mike Zoss Productions
158 Read Street
New York, NY 10013

Producers: Scott Rudin, Steven Spielberg

Writer/Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

Starring: Hailee Steinfeld, Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin

Story:

True Grit tells the story of Mattie Ross, who is just fourteen years of age when a coward going by the name of Tom Chaney shoots her father down in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and robs him of his life, his horse, and $150 in cash money. Mattie leaves home to avenge her father’s blood. With the one-eyed Rooster Cogburn, the meanest available U.S. Marshal, by her side, Mattie pursues the homicide into Indian Territory.