Casting bonanza! Thanks to Cannes, we’re getting a ton of news about upcoming projects, including more firmed-up casting announcements about one of Hollywood’s most anticipated (and potentially “unadaptable”) projects. Add to that a press release involving PIRANHA 3DD and Germany’s most beloved pop star, plus more GREAT GATSBY casting news, and I am just about dizzy with all this news.

The Wachowskis have been working to bring their CLOUD ATLAS (adapted from David Mitchell’s stunning novel) to the big screen for years now, and though I still wonder about how it’s all going to pan out, at the very least they are assembling a hell of a cast. Thanks to the Cannes market (where the Wachowskis and Tom Twyker are offering up international rights to the project), we now know that even more talent has joined the film. If they’re looking to draw in buyers, they’re doing it handily. Hell, I would buy this thing if I had the money.

Reports are that Halle Berry, Hugo Weaving, and Ben Whishaw have all joined the cast, with Susan Sarandon and Jim Broadbent currently in talks for roles as well. It’s also been reported that many of the actors in the film (if not all) will be playing multiple roles in the final project. Twyker and the Wachowskis are looking to start filming in September.

In other, very different, casting news, David Hasselhoff has joined the cast of Dimension’s PIRANHA 3DD. The film opens on November 23, and already has a cast that includes Ving Rhames, Christopher Lloyd, Paul Scheer, Gary Busey, Katrina Bowden, Danielle Panabaker, Matt Bush, Chris Zylka, and David Koechner.

I pray this sequel features some sort of face-off between the Hoff and Ving Rhames, a la The Rock and Vin Diesel in FAST FIVE. What that would have to do with killer fish, I don’t know, but a girl can dream.

In final casting news, Baz Luhrmann has picked his Jordan Baker for his (inexplicably in 3D) take on THE GREAT GATSBY. Newcomer Elizabeth Debicki is apparently joining the production straight out of the Victorian College of the Arts. Talk about an amazing first role. The character of Jordan is the love interest of Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire). The film also features Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan as Gatsby and Daisy. She’s an interesting counterpoint to Daisy, as Jordan represents a new breed of independent woman with their own interests and work (Jordan is a pro golfer).

Though I continue to think the Luhrmann’s decision to go 3D with his GATSBY is utterly ludicrous (can we expect Jordan to launch golf balls at our faces?), the director is building a very strong cast. I’m interested to see a new talent on-screen with such forces as Mulligan and DiCaprio.

Which of these films are you most excited about?

Sources Cinema Blend (times two!), Press Release, Deadline