Auditions for "Hercules: The Thracian Wars"

MGM Studios and Paramount Pictures in association with Rat Entertainment, Film 44, and Radical Pictures are in pre-production on the major feature movie "Hercules: The Thracian Wars". Film is set to begin in early 2013, and the shooting spot will be in New Zealand.

Hercules: The Thracian Wars is based on the Radical Comics graphic novel of the similar name written by Steve Moore. Casting for the film's key stars will take place in Los Angeles and New York, with additional casting in Wellington, New Zealand. The photo-doubles and stand-ins for the film's stars will be cast in New Zealand, as well as the extras.

Starring in the film is two occasion People's Choice Awards nominee and Teen Choice Awards winner Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson playing the title role of the Greek demi-god Hercules. This is not the 1st time mythical super being that Johnson has played; he starred as Mathayus in Universal Pictures "The Scorpion King" in 2002. He has an remarkable lineup of forthcoming movies including the recently wrapped films "Empire State," "Snitch," "G.I. Joe: Retaliation," "Pain & Gain," and "Fast 6". He is also set to star as Sinbad in "Arabian Nights".

Casting Call Auditions for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures film “Need for Speed”

DreamWorks Studios in association with Bandito Brothers are in pre production on the Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures racing themed feature movie "Need for Speed" based on the Electronic Arts video game franchise which is the most successful racing video game series in the world, and one of the most successful video game franchises ever. The casting directors are conducting auditions for the films starring and co-starring roles. All of the film's extras, stand-ins, and photo doubles will be cast in Atlanta, GA where shooting will go on from February 25, 2013 through June 3rd, 2013.

Story of the Need for Speed, “An underground race car driver who customizes expensive cars in the garage he owns in order to make the vehicles fly like all get out on the racetrack. During a race, his friend is murdered and he is framed for the crime. After spending time in prison for the crime that he did not commit, he looks for repay on the person(s) responsible. The story also involves an implausibly amazing female who is a cunning exotic car dealer that hooks up the wealthy with high-end supercars. And then there is Dino, an ex-NASCAR driver who uses his contacts with the rich to build up a business and tricking out supercars.

Starring in "Need for Speed" is Aaron Paul as the race car driver who is framed for his best friend’s murder. Paul is best known for his role as Jesse Pinkman in the AMC series Breaking Bad. British actress and model Imogen Poots has been cast in the role of the savvy exotic car dealer. Dominic Cooper will play the role of ex-NASCAR driver Dino.

Acting auditions open for GWU satire

Droughts and paying to use public toilets are element of the plot of Gardner-Webb University’s next musical.

“Urinetown the Musical” is about a town with a water lack due to a drought. A large company uses the drought as a front to take money from the people by outlawing private toilets and have them pay to use public toilets.

“We select this play as it’s really fun and, despite its title, it’s clean,” said Chris Nelson, director and assistant professor of theatre at Gardner-Webb. “The play is a satire and offers a different kind of music for our students.”

In the musical, the daughter of one of the rich business owners falls for a man who wants to start a revolution against the laws. Those who disobey the toilet laws are sent to a place called Urinetown and never heard from again, Nelson said.

“The play is really fun and, as a satire, speaks to issues we can deal with nowadays in a quirky type of way,” he said.

Auditions for the play are open to Gardner-Webb students and the public. During a 10-minute slot, those auditioning are asked to perform a 30- to 60-second monologue and bring 16 bars of a song.

Audition times are available in 10-minute slots between 5 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Call-backs will be Friday, and rehearsals will begin at the beginning of January when students return from holiday break.

“We wish to put on a performance that people will remember, be entertained and have a good time,” Nelson said. “It’s an intelligent piece and a great opportunity to perform different styles of music.”

“Urinetown the Musical” will be performed Wednesday, Feb. 13 to Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013.

Those interested in auditioning for "Urinetown the Musical" should keep a time slot by emailing.