Coen Brothers Find an Actress With “True Grit”

The Coen Brothers have cast newcomer Hailee Steinfeld in the role of Mattie Ross for their remake of the Classic Western "True Grit."

The casting of Steinfeld, reported by Deadline Hollywood, was the last among the principals, and the Coens' version of the film makes it all the more important with its shift in focus on the young girl, as in Charles Portis' original novel, reported Collider. The John Wayne version had centered more on Rooster, not surprisingly.

The quest for a proper Mattie was launched in December, with the website proclaiming that they're looking for "a girl who’s tough, strong, and tells it like it is."

The new "Grit" stars Jeff Bridges as Rooster Cogburn (the role for which John Wayne won his only Oscar), a lawman who joins forces with La Boeuf, played by Matt Damon, to help a 14-year-old girl, Mattie, hunt down the man who murdered her father, Tom Chaney, played by Josh Brolin.

The Coen Brothers' last film, "A Serious Man," is in the running next month for Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture Oscars.

In January it was announced that "True Grit" will come out on Christmas Day. Can't wait.

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