The Persian monarch Xerxes depicter will portray a powerful owner of an international auto racing team in Warner Bros.' heist movie.
- Aug 20, 2013
AceShowbiz - "Focus" has just found new cast member. The Hollywood Reporter learns that the heist pic developed at Warner Bros. has got Rodrigo Santoro, the 37-year-old Brazilian star who was a series regular on J.J. Abrams' "Lost" as Paulo, attached to play "the magnetic and powerful owner of an international auto racing team."
Santoro is the latest addition to the cast ensemble after Will Smith, who takes over the lead role from Ben Affleck, and Margot Robbie, who fills in for Kristen Stewart. The film is directed and written by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa. Denise Di Novi is set to produce the movie, while Courtenay Valenti will oversee for the studio.
In the story, Smith is introduced as a con man who becomes romantically involved with a novice, to be played by Robbie. Santoro's character hires Smith to gain a competitive edge for his racing team and, as it turns out, is vying for the affections of the beautiful newcomer to the grifter business. The production will start in October in New Orleans and Buenos Aires.
Santoro has recently wrapped "Jane Got a Gun", in which he stars opposite Natalie Portman. His famous alter-ego, Xerxes, will once again be featured in "300: Rise of an Empire", which opens on March 7, 2014.
