Tucker joins Sarandon for trip to 'Valley'

By Borys Kit

Dec 1, 2006, ET

Susan Sarandon and Jonathan Tucker are joining the cast of "In the Valley of Elah," Paul Haggis' follow-up to his Academy Award-winning hit "Crash." Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron already have been cast in the Warner Independent Pictures mystery thriller.

"Valley," which also is known as "the untitled Paul Haggis project" at the studio because the title is likely to change, follows a veteran father (Jones) in search of his son, an exemplary soldier who recently returned from Iraq and has mysteriously gone AWOL. Sarandon will play Jones' wife; Tucker plays the son.

Shooting is scheduled to take place this month in New Mexico and Morocco.

The story is based on an investigative article by Mark Boal in Playboy titled "Death and Dishonor," which told the true story of an officer father who rejected the Army's claim of AWOL status for his son and discovered a murder. Haggis fictionalized the elements and will direct from his original screenplay based on a story he wrote with Boal.

Haggis is producing with Larry Becsey.

Tucker is one of the stars of "The Black Donnellys," Haggis' NBC series that is serving as a midseason replacement. Haggis was so impressed with the actor that he decided to put him into "Valley." He is repped by Endeavor, manager Booh Schut and attorney Steve Warren.

Academy Award winner Sarandon is shooting "The Battle in Seattle" and has "En-chanted" and "Mr. Woodcock" in the can for next year. She is repped by ICM.

Tucker joins Sarandon for trip to 'Valley'

By Borys Kit

Dec 1, 2006, ET