Five deployed to Haggis' 'Valley'

By Borys Kit

Dec 7, 2006, ET

James Franco, Frances Fisher, Tim McGraw, Jason Patric and Mehcad Brooks are making the trip for "In the Valley of Elah," which Paul Haggis is directing for Warner Independent Pictures.

Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, Susan Sarandon and Jonathan Tucker already have been cast in the 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 war veteran (Jones) in search of his son, an exemplary soldier who recently returned from Iraq and has gone AWOL.

Franco is playing a sergeant, Fisher a waitress, McGraw a police chief and Patric an Army lieutenant. Brooks is a member of the son's squad.

Shooting is under way in New Mexico.

Haggis is producing with Larry Becsey, Patrick Wachsberger, Steve Samuels and Darlene Caamano; Stan Wlodkowski, Emilio Diez Barroso, Bob Hayward, David Garrett, Erik Feig and Jim Holt are serving as executive producers. The movie will be a Summit Entertainment and Samuels Media presentation.

Franco recently wrapped "An American Crime" opposite Catherine Keener and Ellen Page and will be seen in "Spider-Man 3" in the summer. He is repped by Endeavor and James/Levy Management.

Fisher, repped by Melanie Greene Management, recently wrapped shooting Dan Waters' "Sex and Death 101."

Country superstar McGraw, repped by CAA, most recently appeared in "Flicka."

Patric next will be seen in "The Good Shepherd." He is repped by Untitled.

Brooks most recently was seen starring in Jerry Bruckheimer's "Glory Road" and on "Desperate Housewives." He is repped by Innovative Artists and Mosaic.

Five deployed to Haggis' 'Valley'

By Borys Kit

Dec 7, 2006, ET