Now that the casting process is running at full speed for the film, the fog of mystery surrounding Richard Curtis’ low-budget new comedy About Time is beginning to lift. We reported back in January that he had written the script and was directing the film, but now we know that Zooey Deschanel and Harry Potter’s Domhnall Gleeson are in line to take the lead roles.
Gleeson is mulling an offer to play Tim, a man who comes from a family of time travellers. Except he doesn’t know that he possesses the gift until his father decides he’s ready to be let in on the secret. Once he knows all about his abilities, he starts using them to change history for the better. But we’re guessing that – as Dr Sam Beckett could warn anyone – it’s not always as easy as it looks. Plus, given that this is a lower budget project, it’s a fair guess that the time travel will be more personal than, say, trying to make sure Hitler dies or saving JFK.
Deschanel is closer to a deal, looking to play Mary, Tim’s love interest in the film. Assuming he has the pieces in place, Curtis wants to shoot this summer, while Deschanel has the time available between seasons on New Girl.
As well as the hit sitcom, the actress was most recently seen in Our Idiot Brother and Your Highness. Gleeson, meanwhile, might still be best known for his work in the Harry Potter series, but he’s had plenty of work, appearing in Never Let Me Go and True Grit. He’ll next be seen in Dredd and Anna Karenina.