Casting Net: Maggie Gyllenhaal joins Michael Fassbender's band in 'Frank.' Plus: Ashley Tisdale, Stephen Lang, Vinnie Jones

Happy New Year, everyone! It’s been a quiet week in Hollywood, so here’s the top casting news of the last few days:

• Maggie Gyllenhaal will star opposite Michael Fassbender in Frank, an indie comedy about a wild band lead by the titular character (Fassbender) and his fearsome right-hand woman (Gyllenhaal), as seen through the eyes of the group’s newest addition (Domhnall Gleeson, Anna Karenina). Scoot McNairy (Argo), and Jack White drummer Carla Aza costar. Leonard Abrahamson (Adam & Paul) is directing from a script by Jon Ronson and Peter Straughan (The Men Who Stare At Goats). [THR]

• Ashley Tisdale will play Nicolas Cage‘s daughter in Left Behind, a remake of the popular faith-based novel series about what happens after the Rapture removes all Christians from the Earth. Longtime stunt coordinator and second unit director Vic Armstrong (Thor, I Am Legend) will direct. [Deadline]

• Stephen Lang (Avatar) and Vinnie Jones(X-Men: The Last Stand) have signed up for The 34th Battalion, an Australian production about an Aussie army unit during World War I. Luke Hemsworth, Emilie de Ravin (Lost), and Charles Mesure (Desperate Housewives) costar. First-time director Luke Sparke penned the script with his father, Ian Sparke. [Deadline]

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