Back in January 2015, we reported that Oscar-winning actressReese Witherspoonhad signed on to joinMatt Damonin directorAlexander Payne’sDownsizing, which was ironically the second time she had boarded the project. The movie was originally set up back in 2009, but it never moved forward. Today we have a report fromDeadlinethatReese Witherspoonhasdropped outonce again due to scheduling conflicts, withKristen Wiigset to take her place.
Thestorycenters onMatt Damon’s character, an ordinary man from Omaha who joins a growing group of people undergoing a process to get shrunk to a fraction of their own size. He then moves to one of the several communities for “small people” that are beginning to sprout up all over the world. No details were given for Kristen Wiig’s role, but whenReese Witherspoonlanded the role in 2009, she was believed to play a woman who meets this shrinking man.
The supporting cast includesChristoph Waltzand Hong Chau. Actors such asJason Sudeikis,Alec BaldwinandNeil Patrick Harriswere previously attached to thiscomedy, but they weren’t mentioned in this new report, so they may not be involved at this time. It isn’t known how many other roles have yet to be cast.
Alexander Payneis directing from a script he co-wrote with Jim Taylor. BothAlexander Payneand Jim Taylor have written a number of scripts together, including Citizen Ruth, Election,About SchmidtandSideways.Alexander Paynewill produce alongsideMark Johnson, withproductionscheduled to begin this spring.
Kristen Wiigwill next be seen in the highly-anticipatedGhostbusters, which hits theaters on July 15. She is also part of thevoice castof the animated comedySausage Party, hitting theaters August 12, and her live-action comedyMastermindsdebuts on September 30. What do you think aboutKristen WiigjoiningMatt Damonin directorAlexander Payne’sDownsizing?
