March 24, 2009–John Hamm (TV's “Mad Men”) has joined the cast of “Howl,” the indie feature about the obscenity trial of Allen Ginsberg's famed poem. The other members already cast are James Franco, Mary-Louise Parker, David Strathairn and Jeff Daniels. Hamm will star as defense attorney Jake Ehrlich, whose life inspired the TV series “Perry Mason.”
The project, which is shooting in NY is directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman of Telling Pictures. Producers are Werc Werk Works CEO Elizabeth Redleaf and president Christine Walker with Gus Van Sant exec producing with Redleaf.
Epstein and Friedman wrote the screenplay. Bob Balaban, Treat Williams and Alessandro Nivola also star.
“Howl” is the third production for Werc Werk Works, which launched in August. The company has produced and financed Todd Solondz's “Life During Wartime,” in post-production, and Bella Tarr's “The Turin Horse,” in production.