First look at JFK assassination film 'Parkland'

Austin State Hospital's turquoise brick walls look all shiny '60s-like in the trailer for the film Parkland. ASH stands in for Parkland Memorial Hospital, where President John F. Kennedy was taken after he was shot in Dallas. Check it out, conspiracy theorists.

JFK assassination pic 'Parkland' adds cast

Add Zach Efron and University of Texas grad Marcia Gay Harden to the cast of Tom Hanks-produced Parkland, which tells of the goings on at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas on the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. They join Billy Bob Thornton and Paul Giamatti in the film, which is set to shoot in mid-January in Austin.

I'll have a mention of the film--including why they choose to shoot in Austin instead of Dallas--in Thursday's The Austin Chronicle. My brief will also tell you about a "major Hollywood film" that will be shooting in Austin soon, too. Think things that move... Look for the link here shortly.

JFK assassination tale 'Parkland' coming to Austin

Hmm...so why is a Dallas-set film about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy filming in Austin? Beats me, but that's the plan for Parkland, which is set to shoot (no pun intended--seriously) in the Capital city in January and February of 2013.

The cast includes Billy Bob Thornton, Paul Giamatti and Jacki Weaver. Tom Hanks is producing.The name comes from Parkland Memorial Hospital where JFK died after being shot in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963.

An extras--and speaking role--casting call is set for Sunday, Dec. 16 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Clarion Inn & Suites, 2200 S I-35. The want Secret Service agents, lookalikes for JFK, Lyndon Johnson, John Connally, the beautiful Nellie Connally, Dallas police, reporters and the general public. You can also sign up for nonspeaking roles online here.