Image Credit: David Gabber/PR PhotosLooks like Winona Ryder is launching her own comeback story. The ’80s icon has landed a leading role in the Ron Howard-directed film, previously called Cheaters, starring Vince Vaughn and Kevin James. Sources tell EW.com that Ryder beat out a slew of other actresses in her drive to land the part of Geneva, Kevin James’ wife. She auditioned twice for the part, outshining the likes of Kate Beckinsale, Carla Gugino and Uma Thurman, who flew herself in for the audition.
Why is the role so coveted? Well it turns out the film is no tried-and-true fat guy/hot wife comedy. Rather, the movie, from screenwriter Allan Loeb (21), centers on two best friends, played by James and Vaughn. When Vaughn’s character discovers that James’ wife (Ryder) has cheated on his best friend, he confronts her directly and must decide whether or not he will tell his friend. (Thus, the film often pits Ryder’s character opposite Vaughn’s.) The movie is set to begin filming in Chicago in May.
Ryder, who recently wrapped Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan starring Natalie Portman, can next be seen in the CBS mini-series When Love is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story, a period piece that depicts the story of the woman who co-founded Al-Anon. She stars opposite Berry Pepper. It premieres April 25.
She’s actually a 90′s icon…
“A plum role?” playing Kevin James girlfriend seems more like the booby prize. Poor Winona. I guess she’ll take what she can get these days. Much less than she deserves in my opinion.
umm Wife not girl friend.
Oh well then ur right Metrohack, it IS a plum role. You’re one of those irritating people who go through all the comments editing but not contributing.
“’80s icon”?! SOMEBODY’S view of cinema clearly begins and ends with “Heathers”…
Thanks, I was going to point that out too. The writer needs to do her homework.
Nicole Sperling is obviously another one of those hacks EW.com just hires off the street.
Oh, Marie. You’re so incisive!
Beetlejuice also. Then Edward Scissorhands was in 1990.
Could you guys find a more unflattering image?
I know. She looks like a hobbit in that picture.
seriously, she looks like she’s decomposing in this pic. Surely there were better photos out there. Was she wearing her “old lady” makeup from Star Trek?
I´m happy for her. She is a great actress, she did such a good work in the 90s!!
Her most iconic work (Beetlejuice and Heathers) are from the 80s. I guess you could add Edward Scissorshands to that list too, which came out in 1990.
Little Women and Girl, Interrupted are my favorite Winona films and they’re both 90s. Maybe she’s an icon from both decades?
Oh I LOVED her in Little Women! That and Reality Bites were two of my favorites back in the day.
Beetlejuice and Heathers came out in 88/89, but she wasn’t a cultural icon until the 90s. Reality Bites anyone?
Welcome Back Winona! She is just too talented not be not working.
Ditto! I’ve been waiting for her return. She’s like the previous generations Natalie Portman/Kiera Knightly, whom I like but their talent isn’t really up to snuff.
Wionna is amazingley talented!
I loved her in all her movies before
she shop lifted.
you stopped loving her after she shoplifted?
hahahahah!
Just when I thought we were rid of her. She’s not talented, and at best, a cardboard figure. I finde her annoying to watch so I usually forego movies that she has a ‘more than’ subsidiary role in. She just absorbs performance energy, she doesn’t give anything back. I feel guilty making these comments, but I’m sure she won’t be seeing them. It’s just too bad that she doesn’t take her money and run -or retire. There aren’t’ that many well acted movies, and with her in the cast, there will be fewer.
I’m just surprised that an actress of her talents is slumming with the overrated Vince Vaughn.
I agree with Brett. Sorry to say, this movie doesn’t sound very promising to me. I think it was reading Kevin James’ name, aka Paul Blart, that dashed my hopes. Vince Vaughn isn’t a bad actor, but “slumming” is a good word for his recent work. I don’t know what it is about Wynona Ryder. Despite her sometimes distracting voice, which sounds kind of vacant and contemporary even in period pieces, she’s always radiant on the screen. She’s angelic, ethereal, yet can show strength and depth. Even if this isn’t the right vehicle for her, her comeback is way overdue. If Robert Downey Jr. can bounce back, she should be able to too.
…also, it’s BARRY Pepper, in case anyone cares.
I was going to point that out, as well
Berry Pepper sounds like a porn star.
Oh, I thought she was starring with a new flavor of Dr. Pepper. You know, as a show of support of soft drinks against hard alcohol.
WTF…she beat out those 3 talented stars? Well, she does have to act opposite Kevin (no talent) James.
Maybe she could go steal a new wardrobe at her local Macy’s for the part.
I still am a Winona fan. She deserved an Oscar for The Age of Innocence.
I loved her in that role.
“Maybe she could go steal a new wardrobe at her local Macy’s for the part.”
man, your sense of humor dates back to the time when Lenno was in primary school.
Um it’s Vince Vaughn and Kevin Smith is actually funny.
Wino forever! She had that decade of non-stop greatness. She’s perfect in Little Women. I miss her.
I still like Winona. It would be nice to see her in something new again.
Agreed. I’m glad to see her back, I hope it’s a hit and that there are more roles to come. I’m just sad Kevin James is in it.
Yes, I agree. I’ve missed Winona too!
Kate Beckinsale should have gotten that role.
Love me some Beckinsale!