Copious Notes

John Wayne and Kim Darby in the 1969 film "True Grit." The Coen Bros. are looking for a 12- to 16-year-old girl to play Darby's role of Mattie Ross in their remake of the film.

Are you a 12- to 16-year-old girl?

Are you tough and strong?

Do you tell it like it is?

Do you want to work with Oscar-winning film directors?

If you just said yes four times, you’ll want to get out to the Marriott Griffin Gate Resort from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday for the open casting call for “True Grit.” Joel and Ethan Coen, 2007 Oscar winners for best picture and best director for “No Country for Old Men,” are remaking the  1969 John Wayne classic, and they’re looking for a girl to play Mattie Ross. They will not be at Friday’s casting call.

Kim Darby, who appeared at Danville’s Pioneer Playhouse in the 2008 world premier production of “A Jarful of Fireflies,” originated the role in the Henry Hathaway western that won The Duke his only acting Oscar.

According to Variety, the Coens are aiming to be more faithful to the original Charles Portis novel than the 1969 film, which means it will focus on Mattie, a 14-year-old girl who heads off with two lawmen to find her father’s killer. The Coen’s remake will reportedly star Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon in the roles originally played by Wayne and Glen Campbell. It is set to film early in 2010, and according to the Internet Movie Database, it is scheduled for release in 2011.

Auditioners are asked to bring a photo and only one family member to Friday’s casting call.

Here’s the official character description:

14 year old Mattie is a simple, tough as nails young woman. Her steely nerves and straightforward manner are a shocking contrast to the way women behaved in the early century.  She’s possessed of true grit and plenty of determination.  Enough so, that she insists on going with 2 marshals to hunt down the killer of her father.