It's been a busy, busy week for the production of Ruben Fleischer's Gangster Squad. It began on Tuesday when it was reported that Emma Stone had entered talks to play the film's female lead, while Thursday brought news that Robert Patrick replaced Bryan Cranston in the project. But just because it's just about time for the weekend doesn't mean that they aren't still working hard to put together the best cast they can.
Variety has learned that Frank Grillo, who will next be seen alongside Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton in Warrior, has signed on for a role in the period piece. While most recent casting announcements have been for those on the side of the law, Grillo will be playing Ragan, a gangster who runs the Continental Press Service as part of a plan to control horse racing on the west coast. The film already stars Sean Penn, as gangster Mickey Cohen, Ryan Gosling, Josh Brolin, Anthony Mackie, and Michael Pena.
But that's not the only Los Angeles-based cop story that Grillo has signed up for. The same site has also learned that the actor is now attached to End of Watch, a David Ayer written and directed film starring Jake Gyllenhaal and, coincidentally, Michael Pena. Grillo will play the commanding officer at the precinct who gives the pair their orders. The film's supporting cast includes Anna Kendrick, America Ferrera and Natalie Martinez.
Not a bad pair of projects if you ask me. Grillo's parts aren't going to be the biggest roles in each respective movie, but it is intriguing that the report calls the actor's part in End of Watch "a key supporting role." Guess we'll have to wait and see exactly what that means.
