'Count's' Ruffalo set for D'Works' 'Castle'

Thesp to star with Redford with Lurie at helm

By DAVE MCNARY

Ruffalo

Mark Ruffalo, fresh from scoring critical plaudits for "You Can Count On Me," has signed as one of the leads with Robert Redford in DreamWorks' "The Castle."

The film, to be produced by Robert Lawrence and directed by Rod Lurie, will begin lensing in mid-March. Pic revolves around a convicted general, played by Redford, who is sent to a maximum security prison where he turns the convicts into his own army.

One of the lead roles for "The Castle" remains yet to be cast. Ruffalo gained significant acclaim for his role opposite Laura Linney in Paramount Classics' "You Can Count On Me." He portrayed a drifter who turns the life of his sister upside down after he decides to return to the small town in which they grew up.

Ruffalo was tapped for the New Generation Award last month by the Los Angeles Film Critics Assn.

Ruffalo is directing Timothy McNeil's "Margaret" at the Hudson Backstage Theatre and working on John Woo's "Windtalkers" with Nicolas Cage and Christian Slater. He will also appear in the upcoming drama "XX/XY."