Amy Morton, Tony Award nominee for her turn in August: Osage County, trades in her former Oklahoma dysfunctional family for the Wisconsin-based one in the new film "Up in the Air."

The Paramount Pictures feature film starring George Clooney opens in select cities Dec. 4 before spreading to a wide release on Dec. 25. Jason Reitman directs his and Sheldon Turner's screenplay.

In the R-rated film, Morton plays one of two siblings (along with Melanie Lynskey) who are somewhat estranged from their forever-flying brother (Clooney) who fires people for a living. Stage veteran J.K. Simmons also makes an appearance in the film as one of the termination victims.

Morton directed the current Steppenwolf Theatre Company revival of David Mamet's American Buffalo playing at the Chicago stage. The man who provided the actress with her Tony-nommed role — playwright Tracy Letts — stars in her staging with Francis Guinan and Patrick Andrews. (More at steppenwolf.org)

For more information on "Up in the Air" visit TheUpInTheAirMovie.com.