Sam Rockwell should have a lot of face time in Spyglass Entertainment/Walt Disney Co.'s "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" -- a big-screen adaptation of the cult hit novel by Douglas Adams -- because he'll be playing Zaphod, the two-headed president of the galaxy.
"Galaxy" begins shooting in April in London with Garth Jennings at the helm. Mos Def, Zooey Deschanel and Martin Freeman also star.
Mos Def plays Ford Prefect, an alien disguising himself as an out-of-work actor who sets out on an intergalactic journey with his best friend, mild-mannered earthling Arthur Dent (Freeman). The duo hitch a ride through space with Rockwell's Zaphod, the beautiful and brilliant scientist Trillion (Deschanel) and a depressed robot while on a quest to discover the meaning of life.
Adams adapted his own novel for the screen. After Adams' death, Karey Kirkpatrick came aboard for a rewrite. "Hitchhiker's Guide" began as a radio series and launched a book series, television series and video game.
Spyglass toppers Roger Birnbaum and Gary Barber are producing the feature along with the company's Jon Glickman, filmmaker Jay Roach and Nick Goldsmith. Derek Evans, Robbie Stamp and Adams will receive executive producer credits. At the studio, the project is being overseen by Buena Vista Motion Pictures Group president Nina Jacobson along with executive vp production Jason Reed.
Rockwell is repped by the Gersh Agency and manager Andrew Freedman. He recently finished lensing the title role in "Piccadilly Jim" opposite Tom Wilkinson, Frances O'Connor and Brenda Blethyn. He most recently starred in "Matchstick Men" and "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind." (Item courtesy of THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)
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