Summit Entertainment flung a casting call for Chris ‘New Moon’ Weitz’s next film “The Gardener” around to most talent agents today.

The pic, written by Eric Eason and due to Lens in March,

Here’s a squiz…

The Gardener

Synopsis : Determined to give his estranged teenage son LUIS a better future free of gangs, illegal immigrant RIQUELME struggles to buy a used truck and gardening equipment to start a business. When the truck is stolen, father and son work together to recover it, reconnecting for the first time in years and slowly coming to terms with the painful reality of their situation…

Director: Chris Weitz

Producers: Chris Weitz, Christian McLaughlin, Paul Witt

Writer: Eric Eason

Casting Directors: Joseph Middleton, Carla Hool

Casting Associate: Tineka Becker

Casting Assistant: Kathryn Calogero

Location: Los Angeles

Start Date: Approx March 21, 2010

Once again, do NOT contact me about the roles here – – I am NOT the casting director.

[ LUIS ]

SPEAKS SOME SPANISH Mexican-American, 14 yrs old, handsome and streetwise, he lives in a poor neighborhood in East L.A. and speaks mostly English sprinkled with a few Spanish phrases, having never learned proper Spanish despite his family’s Mexican roots. Frustrated and confused, he’s at a pivotal crossroads in his life; torn between choosing childhood and adulthood; between the innocent fun of soccer and his more recent methods of coping (smoking weed); between acting cool and aloof for his peers and trying to resist the frightening lure of the neighborhood gangs. He’s ashamed of his father Riquelme’s job as a gardener and treats him condescendingly, but beneath his occasionally rude behavior, Luis truly loves his father, and he’s deeply upset when his father’s gardening truck — symbolizing the possibility of a new life in a better neighborhood — is stolen. If they can’t recover the vehicle, Luis’ bleak future as a gang-banger appears to be set…LEAD (3)… SPEAKS SOME SPANISH

[ FACUNDO ]

SPEAKS SOME SPANISH Mexican-American, 14 yrs old, easy to anger, burly and short with tattooed forearms, he is Luis’ classmate and best friend who’s always got weed to share. Facundo is ready to quit school and join a gang like his older brother did, and he wants Luis beside him…SUPPORTING (8)… SPEAKS SOME SPANISH

[ RUTHIE VALDEZ ]

SPEAKS SOME SPANISH Mexican-American, 14 yrs old, pretty, tough, and assertive, , she is Luis’ girlfriend who’s got connections in the gang world. Her entire family is filled with gang-bangers and her actions display the cold confidence that comes with knowing they’ve got her back…SUPPORTING (9)… SPEAKS SOME SPANISH

[ SANTIAGO ]

MUST SPEAK FLUENT SPANISH This meek, humble, and uneducated Salvadoran immigrant stands on the corner with Riquelme and the other day-laborers and offers Riquelme some bread at the end of long, unproductive day. When Riquelme shows up later with a truck and equipment, Santiago is grateful for the chance at a job and partnership. Or so we think. The first opportunity he gets, Santiago steals Riquelme’s vehicle and everything in it. Although his behavior is appalling, we also feel a bit sorry for Santiago, who is clearly a desperate soul…SUPPORTING (24)… MUST SPEAK FLUENT SPANISH

[ SCAR-FACED MAN / JESUS ]

MUST SPEAK FLUENT SPANISH 30 yrs old, shifty-looking, this scar-faced Salvadoran man claims to know the whereabouts of Santiago, and offers to lead Riquelme and Luis to him for $50…7 lines, 5 scenes (50)… MUST SPEAK FLUENT SPANISH

[ GABE WETTENAL ]

Early 30’s, Anglo, no-nonsense, he’s a lawyer from the California Immigrant Aid Society who takes Riquelme’s case pro bono and bluntly advises Riquelme on the best course of action: allow yourself to be deported, and pay a coyote to bring you back…7 speeches & 13 lines, 3 scenes (107)

[ MARCELO VALDEZ ]

SPEAKS SOME SPANISH Mexican-American, mid 30s, with a shaved head and lots of prison tattoos, he is one of Ruthie’s gang-banger uncles who is under house arrest and wears an electronic ankle bracelet. Despite his intimidating looks, he is kind to his family and friendly with Luis. He wants Luis to join the gang…5 lines, 2 scenes (34)… SPEAKS SOME SPANISH

[ OFFICER ANDREWS ]

African American, mid 40’s, he’s a gruff but good-hearted cop who works as the precinct’s liaison for Immigration Control. Though sympathetic to Riquelme’s situation, he has to turn Riquelme over to the detention center in San Pedro…3 speeches & 15 lines, 2 scenes (96)

[ MRS. DONNELLY ]

This extremely wealthy Caucasian woman who lives in Bel Air has hired Blasco and Riquelme as gardeners, and she’s uneasy when Riquelme climbs up a palm tree to prune the leaves. She presses Blasco until he lies to her and pretends to have insurance…6 lines, 1 scene (7)

[ RAMON ]

SPEAKS SOME SPANISH This big kid at school rips off Facundo, who wanted to buy weed from him. Ramon is scared when he realizes who Ruthie is, and he gets into a physical fight with Luis, Facundo and Ruthie…8 lines, 1 scene (10)… SPEAKS SOME SPANISH

[ JUVIE OFFICER ]

This juvie officer questions Luis down at the police station, ordering him to take off his shirt and prove that he doesn’t have any gang tattoos…8 lines, 1 scene (13)

[ BEARDED MAN ]

MUST SPEAK FLUENT SPANISH An older, bearded, illegal immigrant Salvadoran man, he gives Riquelme information on Santiago’s whereabouts, and returns Riquelme’s stolen phone…1 speech & 7 lines, 1 scene (57)… MUST SPEAK FLUENT SPANISH

[ WAITRESS ]

This kind African American woman works as a waitress at Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles, and she lets Riquelme use the office computer for a search…1 speech & 7 lines, 1 scene (61)

[ NARCOCORRIDO SINGER ]

SINGS IN FLUENT SPANISH This Mexican regional singer performs a folk song at the packed nightclub where Santiago works as a dishwasher…1 song, 1 scene (76)… SINGS IN FLUENT SPANISH

[ LEAD SINGER ]

SINGS IN FLUENT SPANISH Cowboy-hatted musician, he belts out a Los Tigres song at a huge Mexican carnival…1 song, 1 scene (68)… SINGS IN FLUENT SPANISH

[ PRISON GUARD ]

MUST SPEAK FLUENT SPANISH This prison guard at the San Pedro detention center for illegal immigrants speaks only in Spanish. He explains the rules of the center and what’s going to happen to everyone as they’re processed into the system…6 speeches, 1 scene (104)… MUST SPEAK FLUENT SPANISH

[ LA RATA ]

MUST SPEAK FLUENT SPANISH A powerful, scary man in his 20s, he has the air of someone in his 40s, and he seems to be in charge of getting things done at the detention center. He demands to know who Riquelme is and why he’s risking his life to speak with La Rata…8 lines, 1 scene (111)… MUST SPEAK FLUENT SPANISH

[ JUDGE WINTER ]

This judge oversees Riquelme’s pre-hearing, and asks if he’s going to contest his deportation…1 speech & 3 lines, 1 scene (119)

[ GANG TASK FORCE OFFICER ]

This cop breaks up the fight between Luis, Facundo and Ramon…1 line, 1 scene (11)

[ SCHOOL SECRETARY ]

He or she asks Luis how to get in touch with his parents…2 lines, 1 scene (14)

[ LINDA ]

SPEAKS SOME SPANISH Anita’s 10-yr-old Mexican-American daughter, she calls a loud hello to her uncle Riquelme through the phone…3 lines, 1 scene (18)… SPEAKS SOME SPANISH

[ TRUCK DRIVER ]

This truck driver pulls up to a day-laborer corner and announces he only needs two workers…1 line, 1 scene (24)

[ LITTLE GIRL ]

4 yrs old, a relative of Ruthie’s, this adorable but offkey Mexican-American girl sings karaoke (a Selena song) for her family, who happen to be composed of gang members…1 song, 1 scene (33)

[ RUTHIE’S MOTHER ]

29 years old, she is Ruthie’s young mother, a gang member who is friendly and warm toward Luis…2 lines, 1 scene (34)

[ CABBIE ]

This cabbie drives Riquelme to Santa Monica…2 lines, 1 scene (42)

[ NICARAGUAN ]

MUST SPEAK FLUENT SPANISH A young Nicaraguan man, 24 yrs old, stocky and suspicious, he gives Riquelme flat answers to his questions about Santiago…3 lines, 1 scene (42)… MUST SPEAK FLUENT SPANISH

[ YOUNG WOMAN ]

MUST SPEAK FLUENT SPANISH 24 years old, an illegal Salvadoran immigrant, she is protective of her little boy and wants to know what’s going on when Riquelme and Luis storm into the room…4 lines, 1 scene (56)… MUST SPEAK FLUENT SPANISH

[ SEVERAL MEN ]

MUST SPEAK FLUENT SPANISH These illegal Salvadoran immigrants are trying to sleep when Luis throws the window blinds open. They yell at him…1 line, 1 scene (57)… MUST SPEAK FLUENT SPANISH

[ HOSTESS ]

This African American woman works at Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles and shows Riquelme and Luis to their booth…1 line, 1 scene (60)

[ MANAGER ]

30 years old, the kind manager of Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles, this African American man is watching the USC game on TV and casually allows Riquelme and Luis to use his computer…2 lines 1 scene (63)

[ SHOT GIRL ]

SPEAKS SOME SPANISH At a Mexican carnival, this voluptuous woman in a bikini top and tight jeans, made to look like a gunslinger, offers a shot of tequila to Riquelme…2 lines, 1 scene (70)… SPEAKS SOME SPANISH

[ BUSBOY ]

A busboy at a nightclub, he points out Santiago to Riquelme…1 line, 1 scene (77)

[ COP ]

This blond cop with a loudspeaker pulls over Riquelme and Luis in their truck…4 lines, 1 scene (95)

[ CHEZ ]

SPEAKS SOME SPANISH This gang-banger in his 20s or 30s is friends with Marcelo and greets Luis at a party…2 lines, 1 scene (101)… SPEAKS SOME SPANISH

[ PRISON THUG ]

A prison thug at San Pedro detention center, he calmly steals Riquelme’s phone card and saunters away…1 line, 1 scene (106)

[ GANG-BANGERS ]

These gang-bangers at the San Pedro detention center are barely 18 but hostile and frightening with their full body and facial tattoos. They give Riquelme a hard time…2 lines, 1 scene; and 1 line, 1 scene, respectively (111)

[ GUARD ]

This guard leads Riquelme and other prisoners to the general population room…1 line, 1 scene (115)

[ PRISON GUARD ]

Another prison guard, he interrupts a moment between Riquelme and Luis…1 line, 1 scene (120)

[ MAN ]

MUST SPEAK FLUENT SPANISH This Mexican man gives Riquelme a smile and welcomes him to the north…1 line, 1 scene (121)… MUST SPEAK FLUENT SPANISH