Hamm probes space visitor in 'Stood Still'

By Gregg Goldstein and Leslie Simmons

Dec 20, 2007, ET

Golden Globe nominee Jon Hamm of "Mad Men" will star opposite Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly in the sci-fi remake "The Day the Earth Stood Still" for Fox.

Hamm will play Dr. Granier, a NASA official who recruits Helen (Connelly) for the scientific team investigating an alien's arrival on Earth. Reeves plays Klaatu, the alien who has a simple message: Live in peace or be destroyed.

Scott Derrickson ("The Exorcism of Emily Rose") will direct the update of Robert Wise's 1951 classic from a screenplay by David Scarpa. Erwin Stoff and Paul Harris Boardman are producing the project. Principal photography began Dec. 12 in Vancouver. Hamm started shooting Tuesday, according to the studio.

Hamm is up for a Golden Globe as lead actor in a drama for his role on AMC's "Mad Men," which also earned a nom for drama series. He next will be seen with Josh Lucas in the indie thriller "The Boy in the Box."

Hamm is represented by ICM and Forward Entertainment.

Gregg Goldstein reported from New York; Leslie Simmons reported from Los Angeles.

Hamm probes space visitor in 'Stood Still'

By Gregg Goldstein and Leslie Simmons

Dec 20, 2007, ET