After recently filming the upcoming Eric Roberts movie Intent in Livonia Michigan, New Castle Entertainment is planning on shooting two movies in Michigan this year. First up is Mr. Microphone which follows a karaoke DJ and a band of misfits as they travel the country to enter a singing contest in order to keep a friend out of jail. Scheduled to start filming in the Fall of 2009, the cast for consideration include Will Ferrell, Bobby Lee, Tony Cox, Anna Faris, Jeremy Piven, and David Koechner. If it holds up this would be the second movie Ferrel has shot in Michigan when you count the 2007 comedy Semi-Pro.

Next, New Castle plans to shoot Forsaken this coming summer in Michigan.  The film is a true story about a politician and his family who endure unthinkable punishment after he has an affair in Vietnam. Cast for consideration include Michael Douglas, Eric Roberts, Kathy Bates, Brett Rice, Alec Baldwin and James Spader. Given Alec Balwin’s recent negative comments on the Huffington post about Michigan’s battered auto industry this may make for some interesting local news.