Here are some recent casting news updates from inside the Hollywood circle.

First off, EW is telling all that Dustin Hoffman is going to be reprising his role in the third Focker film, Little Fockers.  Originally, he was supposedly written out of the movie, but he is now confirmed to be back in.

Hoffman will be in four scenes, some indeed with Streisand, a studio source confirms. These were shot during one week of additional photography, after Hoffman had seen the movie and wanted to be a part of it. The source also confirms that the reason for Hoffman’s initial unavailability was not salary-related.

While I thought the first film Meet The Parents was pretty strong for a comedy, its sequel was unwatchable, so this news comes with little entusiasm here.

Up next, Jessica Alba (who is working with Robert Rodriguez in his upcoming Machete, will also star in the latest in his Spy Kids series, Spy Kids 4.  Considering Spy Kids probably doesn’t require great acting (I haven’t seen any of them but I feel strongly in this guess), Alba is perfectly cast as a retired spy.  I could totally see her in that. HeatVision says of Spy Kids 4: All The Time In The World:

The Dimension movie is a reboot of sorts for the moneymaking franchise, which initially starred Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara as the kids of superspy parents (Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino). Rodriguez wrote and directed each installment.

Vega and Sabara are no longer kids — Vega is nearly 23 and recently engaged — but Rodriguez wanted to continue the series.

The new movie centers on Alba as a retired spy who has been reactivated. The actress, mother of a toddler in real life, will be playing the mother of a baby and two preteen stepchildren.

Makes complete sense that it is Spy “kids” with young 20 something actors in the roles.  Moving on…

The Passion of the Christ star Jim Caviezel (I thought he was gonna take off after that movie(?), I guess not) is set to star in Transit. Via THR

In the story line, thieves on the run from a bank robbery come across a suburban family on its way to a camping trip. When the criminals stash their stolen money in the family’s SUV at a rest stop, the road trippers, with Caviezel as the protective father, unwittingly draw the murderous band of outlaws on their trail.

Seems reasonably intriguing.

Comingsoon says Katie Holmes is joining the cast of Adam Sandler’s Jack and Jill.  Al Pacino and Sandler also star.

In the Dennis Dugan-directed script, a family man by the name of Jack deals with his twin sister, Jill, when she visits for Thanksgiving then won’t leave. Sandler will play both characters.

Holmes would play Sandler’s wife; Pacino is set to play himself.

BTW, Jack and Jill went up the hill with $1.25 a piece, Jill came down with $2.50.  Holmes is starting to re-take on roles after her married life has settled in it appears.  I like that Pacino is playing “himself”.  What does that mean these days? Does he even know how he really is in real life anymore?  A valid question.  If you have thoughts, share them.

Former (and perhaps still) King of box office comedy, Adam Sandler, is set to do something not seen since the likes of Dustin Hoffman in Tootsie or Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire (okay, I know I am forgetting others now); he is set to play both man and woman, both titular characters, in the upcoming comedy Jack and Jill.  Sandler’s Happy Madison production comanpany will see him play both Jack, and twin sister Jill, in the Columbia Pictures vehicle.  Only he will be going “up the hill” I suppose.  Scriptwill be written by “SNL” alum Steve Koren.  Variety confirms:

“Jack and Jill” is scheduled to begin lensing early next year and will be released by Sony in early 2011.

Sandler was last seen on screen in the disappointing Apatow flick Funny People, also has a voice in Kevin James’ The Zookeeper on the way, as well as the high school reunion laugher Grown Ups.  His company recently acquired the film rights to a baseball movie as well.

The title of Jack and Jill reminds me of Andrew Dice Clay’s joke that goes, “Jack and Jill went up the hill, with $1.25 a piece. Jill came down with 2.50.”  Ehhh, it was amusing at the time.  I recently suffered through Sandler’s You Don’t Mess with the Zohan “comedy”, only because of a – “smell it, smell it, now take it” – line.  The rest of the film was beyond bad, which is often how I feel about Sandler’s comedies.  I have enjoyed some (Big Daddy was oddly touching), but I prefer him in roles like Reign Over Me, Spanglish or Punch Drunk Love, so my expectations for Jack and Jill are not high.  Your thoughts on this are welcome.