Woody Harrelson
cast in Paul Schrader's Walker

Variety reports that Paul Schrader has cast Woody Harrelson in the lead role of The Walker, which Schrader wrote and directed and will shoot in the United Kingdom beginning next week. The character is something of an older version of the lead from Schrader's American Gigolo. "His gifts are now more social than sexual," Schrader tells Variety. "He's this society walker who has his lady friends, and a boyfriend on the side." The cast will also include Kristin Scott Thomas, Lauren Bacall, Ned Beatty, Moritz Bleibtreu, Willem Dafoe, and Lily Tomlin.

While Harrelson might seem an unusual choice for the role--Kevin Kline's name had previously been discussed--Schrader says it's all according to plan. "His wittiness is the initial point of entry for the viewer into a story which takes a dark turn. This will be quite a transformation for him, from the hairpiece and his manner to the clothes he wears." (The Advocate)