Crowe Casts Patrick Fugit and Elle Fanning in 'We Bought a Zoo'« FirstShowing.net

This is shaping up to be quite a return for Cameron Crowe. It wasjust announcedthat Scarlett Johansson would star in Crowe's newest film,We Bought a Zoobased on Benjamin Mee'smemoir, but she's not the only one joining this.Deadlinereports that 12-year-old actressElle Fanning, who's been cast in just about everything recently, has booked a role along with (28-year-old)Patrick Fugit, who you should remember starred as the young music journalist in Crowe's brilliantAlmost Famousthat was supposedly modeled after Crowe himself. Fanning will play a teen who works at the zoo's restaurant, but we're not sure of Fugit's role.

We Bought a Zoo, which already has a release date set forDecember 2011, is about a widowed father (Matt Damon) who buys a dilapidated zoo in the English countryside in hopes of making a fresh start. He and his children, along with a small but loyal staff, work to get the zoo reopened. Elle Fanning's character lives there without any parents, but becomes smitten with the zoo owner's son. This may sound odd for Cameron Crowe to be directing next, but I have a feeling it'll be a wonderful film no matter what. He's putting together quite a cast, too. We'll keep you updated on this as the production heads towards an early 2011 start date.Cool?

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