Elisabeth Shue, Abigail Spencer Join Gerard Butler in Of Men and Mavericks

http://movies.about.com/b/2011/10/04/elisabeth-shue-abigail-spencer-join-gerard-butler-in-of-men-and-mavericks.htm

Fox 2000 will distribute the Walden Media surf film, Of Men and Mavericks (formerly known as just Mavericks), starring Gerard Butler, so says The Hollywood Reporter. The studio's come on board to co-finance the surf movie which is expected to start shooting this month in Northern California.

THR's also reporting Elisabeth Shue and Abigail Spencer have joined the cast which includes, in addition to Butler, newcomer Jonny Weston. Curtis Hanson (8 Mile, In Her Shoes) is directing from a script by Karo Salem and Brandon Hooper.

Per Walden Media, Of Men and Mavericks (not to be confused with Of Mice and Men) "is a true story based on Santa Cruz surf phenom, Jay Moriarty, and his quest to ride the mythic Northern California break, known as Mavericks, where winter swells bring in treacherous waves the size of five story buildings. Moriarty trained for more than a year under the tutelage of mentor Frosty Hesson, and in the process the two forged a unique relationship, ultimately transforming both of their lives. Jay's story remains an inspiration to surfers around the globe, who've coined the phrase, 'Live like Jay.'"

Weston is playing Jay, the legendary surfer who died while free-diving the day before his 23rd birthday. Butler will play Jay's mentor and friend, Frosty Hesson. According to THR, Spencer's set to take on the role of Frosty's wife, while Shue has been cast as Jay's mother.

Fox 2000 boards Gerard Butler surfing film 'Of Men and Mavericks'; Elisabeth Shue and Abigail Spencer sign on to co-star

http://www.hitfix.com/articles/studio-boards-gerard-butler-surf-film-elisabeth-shue-abigail-spencer-join-cast

Fox 2000 has come aboard to co-finance and distribute "Of Men and Mavericks", a Gerard Butler drama based on a chapter in the life of accomplished surfer Jay Moriarity, who died in a tragic diving accident at the age of 22. In addition, Elisabeth Shue and Abigail Spencer have signed on to co-star.

Moriarity earned a reputation as a fearless big-wave surfer at the age of 16, when his wipeout at Mavericks, a surf spot in Half Moon Bay, California, made the cover of "Surfer" magazine. He drowned in June 2001, one day before his 23rd birthday, while diving off the Lohifushi Island resort in the Maldives, where he was visiting for a photo shoot with O'Neill, a prominent surfing brand.

Butler is attached to star in the film as Frosty Hesson, a local surfer who mentored Moriarity (played here by relative newcomer Jonny Weston) as a teenager, according to The Hollywood Reporter, which broke the story. Shue will star as Moriarity's mother, while Spencer will play Hesson's wife. Curtis Hanson ("L.A. Confidential") is directing from a script by Kario Salem and Brandon Hooper.

The film is scheduled to begin production in Northern California later this month.