Mamet's satire of Hollywood officially opens on Feb. 12, 2008 following previews from Feb. 1.
Old Vic artistic director Kevin Spacey announced last May that he intended to revive Speed-the-Plow and play the role of Bobby Gould, the senior of two Hollywood producers. But in a casting twist, Playbill.com has learned that director Matthew Warchus decided against casting Spacey in the role.
"During casting auditions, Matthew decided that Kevin Spacey was better suited for Charlie Fox," the show's spokesperson told Playbill.com.
Instead, Goldblum will play Gould, the producer who decides whether to back a star-vehicle prison movie or an adaptation based on a novel by a great writer. Spacey will play Gould's fellow producer and verbal sparring partner Charlie Fox.
As previously reported, Laura Michelle Kelley will move from Warchus' production of Lord of the Rings to make her non-musical play debut as Karen, the role originated by Madonna in the 1988 New York world premiere of Mamet's play. In a statement, Spacey said, "I am pleased to welcome my friend and a great actor Jeff Goldblum to the Old Vic. I know we are both very excited about discovering this challenging Mamet work with Matthew and Laura. I have always wanted to work with Jeff and I couldn't be happier that it will be in this great play."
The play opens just one month after another major Mamet revival, Glengarry Glen Ross starring Jonathan Pryce and Aidan Gillen finishes its season at the West End's Apollo Theatre.
Goldblum is best known for his screen credits including "The Fly," "Jurassic Park" and "The Tall Guy." In 2005 he received an Outer Critic's Circle Award for his Broadway performance in The Pillowman.
Kelly won a Best Actress Olivier for her creation of Mary Poppins in the Disney/Cameron Mackintosh stage production. Other credits include Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady and David Leveaux's Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof.
As well as Lord of the Rings director Warchus also his production of the Broadway-bound Boeing-Boeing still plying at the West End's Comedy Theatre.
For more on Speed-the-Plow call 0870 060 6628.
