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Saoirse Ronan Also Joins Ryan Gosling's How to Catch a Monster

Source: Sierra/Affinity

February 9, 2013

Casting for Ryan Gosling's directorial debut How to Catch a Monster--said to be a modern day fairytale that combines fantasy, noir and suspense--has been progressing quickly in the past week with a number of names announced. The latest actor cast in the film is Oscar-nominated Irish actress Saoirse Ronan, best known for her roles in Joe Wright's Atonement and Hanna.

The press release also confirms that Australian actor Ben Mendelsohn (The Dark Knight Rises), who can be seen opposite Gosling in the upcoming The Place Beyond the Pines, will also appear in the movie.

Ronan and Mendelsohn join the already announced Christina Hendricks ("Mad Men," Drive), Eva Mendes and Matt Smith ("Doctor Who").

The film stars Hendricks as Billy, a single mother "swept into a macabre and dark fantasy underworld while her teenage son discovers a secret road leading to an underwater town."

Produced by Marc Platt Productions along with Gosling's Phantasma Films, "Monster" will start filming in Detroit this coming May but is currently up for sale at the Berlin's European Film Market by Sierra/Affinity.

The official press release about the casting and sales of the film is below:

Academy Award® nominee Saoirse Ronan has come aboard Ryan Gosling’s directorial debut, HOW TO CATCH A MONSTER. She joins additional new cast members Matt Smith, Eva Mendes, and Ben Mendelsohn. Christina Hendricks will star in this modern fantasy-drama, based on a script by Gosling that will begin principal photography this May in Detroit.

Marc Platt and Adam Siegel are producing the film on behalf of Marc Platt Productions, along with Gosling via his Phantasma Films banner, and Michel Litvak and David Lancaster via the Bold Films banner. Sierra/Affinity is overseeing international sales for the film which is available to buyers at this year’s European Film Market.

HOW TO CATCH A MONSTER weaves elements of fantasy noir, and suspense into a modern day fairytale. Set against the surreal dreamscape of a vanishing city, Billy, a single mother of two, is swept into a macabre and dark fantasy underworld while her teenage son, Bones, discovers a secret road leading to an underwater town. Both Billy and Bones must dive deep into the mystery, if their family is to survive.

HOW TO CATCH A MONSTER marks Gosling’s first time writing and directing a feature film. Gosling is an Oscar® nominated actor having starred in films including THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES, DRIVE, LARS AND THE REAL GIRL and HALF NELSON for which he received his Academy Award® nomination.

Best known for her roles in ATONEMENT and HANNA, Ronan will next be seen starring in THE HOST and HOW I LIVE NOW. She is currently in production on Wes Anderson's THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL and next stars in Working Title's MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS.

Smith most recently starred in the BBC One series Doctor Who.

Mendes most recently starred alongside Gosling and Bradley Cooper in the upcoming crime drama A PLACE BEYOND THE PINES.

Mendelsohn’s recent work includes a role in Christopher Nolan’s 2012’s summer blockbuster, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES.

Ronan is represented by CAA and Macfarlane Chard. Mendes and Mendelsohn are represented by CAA. Smith is represented by UTA.

(Photo source: Ian Wilson/WENN.com)

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