Ben Platt Boards Ang Lee's BILLY FLYNN'S LONG HALFTIME WALK
Stage vet Ben Platt has a new big screen project lined up.
According to Deadline, the PITCH PERFECT star has signed on for Ang Lee's upcoming film BILLY FLYNN'S LONG HALFTIME WALK, the adaptation of Ben Fountain's 2012 novel.
Per the report, the film "is about a group of servicemen sent on a "Victory Tour" after returning from combat in Iraq. The trip takes them to Texas, where they're hosted by the Dallas Cowboys at Thanksgiving time. Already cast are Garrett Hedlund (Unbroken), Steve Martin and Joe Alwyn. Lee begins shooting this month in Atlanta from a script by Oscar winner Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire). Platt will be playing "Josh," who works for the Cowboys' organization and is the point person in charge of taking care of the Bravo Squad during its day at the football stadium. The character is described as "hyper-competent and eager to please."
Platt (Evan Hansen) is best known for starring as Benji Applebaum in Universal Pictures' smash hit Pitch Perfect and will reprise his role in Pitch Perfect 2 to be released in May. This summer, Platt can be seen alongside Meryl Streep in the film Ricki and the Flash. He most recently made his Broadway debut as Elder Cunningham in The Book of Mormon, for which The New York Times called his performance "sensational." Platt first took on the role to critical acclaim in the show's Chicago run in 2012, earning him a Broadway World Chicago Award for Best Actor in a Touring Production. This past fall, Platt sold out his first solo cabaret show at 54 Below. National Tours: Caroline, or Change (directed by George C. Wolfe and Tony Kushner). Regional Credits: The Black Suits (Barrington Stage Company), The Power of Duff (New York Stage and Film, Stephen Belber), Dead End (directed by Nicholas Martin, Ahmanson Theatre), The Music Man, Mame, Camelot and The Sound of Music (Hollywood Bowl, directed by Gordon Hunt). Workshops/Readings: Breaking Bobby Stone (directed by Peter Scolari), Murder at the Gates (directed by Peter Dubois, Steven Sater), Alice By Heart (Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik), Irma La Douce (directed by Rob Ashford, starring Katie Holmes) and Bridges of Madison County (directed by Bartlett Sher, Jason Robert Brown).
