BEAUTIFUL CREATURES Casts Emma Thompson; Jenna Fischer and Rita Wilson Join KISS ME

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: February 9th, 2012 at 9:06 pm

Two-time Oscar-winner Emma Thompson (Sense and Sensibility) is the latest to join Beautiful Creatures, a supernatural love story based on the first novel in a best-selling series. Thompson will join Academy Award-nominee Viola Davis (The Help), as well as Jack O’Connell (Eden Lake) and newcomer Alice Englert. Richard LaGravenese (P.S. I Love You) will direct the adaptation from the stories written by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.

In other casting news, Jenna Fischer (The Office) and Rita Wilson (Sleepless in Seattle) have joined the indie drama, Kiss Me, directed by Jeff Probst (“Survivor”). The coming-of-age tale follows a teen with scoliosis as she navigates adolescent relationships. Hit the jump for more on both projects.

SPACE: 1999 to be Revamped for TV as SPACE: 2099

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: February 9th, 2012 at 7:46 pm

If taking a sci-fi television series from the 20^th century and reworking it for a modern audience could work for ABC’s V, then there’s hope for Space: 2099. Not only does the series have the strong original run of Space: 1999 to draw from, but HDFilms (the company behind the V resurrection) is on board for the remake. The original 1970s series created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson starred Martin Landau (Ed Wood) and Barbara Bain (Mission: Impossible) among the crew members of Moonbase Alpha. News of the reboot comes only months after Fox and Seth MacFarlane announced the revisiting of the Carl Sagan miniseries, Cosmos: A Space Time Odyssey. Although the project is in early stages of development and hasn’t yet courted any networks, the creative team behind Space: 2099 seem enthusiastic. Hit the jump to see what they had to say and watch an intro from the original series.

PUSHER Remake Picked Up by Weinstein Co.’s VOD Label, Radius-TWC

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: February 9th, 2012 at 6:35 pm

Before there was Drive, there was director Nicolas Winding Refn’s Pusher trilogy. The 1996 original followed Frank (Kim Bodnia), a drug-dealer who finds himself on the wrong end of a botched deal. The film that launched Refn’s career is going through an English-language remake by director Luis Prieto, starring Richard Coyle (Prince of Persia), Agyness Deyn (Clash of the Titans), Bronson Webb (Kingdom of Heaven) and Paul Kaye (Match Point). The remake has recently been picked up by The Weinstein Co.’s Radius-TWC, a VOD-oriented label that snagged the US and Caribbean rights. They are planning a release later this year. Hit the jump for more on Pusher including a trailer for the original trilogy.

Ridley Scott Confirmed to Next Direct Cormac McCarthy’s THE COUNSELOR; Michael Fassbender May Star

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 9th, 2012 at 5:57 pm

Author Cormac McCarthy’s first screenplay is looking like it’s on the fast track to production. McCarthy, whose books have been adapted into such fantastic films as No Country for Old Men and The Road, sold the spec screenplay The Counselor last month, and a multitude of directors jumped at the chance to take the helm. Ridley Scott entered talks a few weeks ago, and now Deadline reports that Scott is confirmed to make The Counselor his next film. Furthermore, Scott is apparently talking to his Prometheus star Michael Fassbender about starring in the drama.

The story is described as “No Country for Old Men on steroids” and centers on a respected lawyer who thinks he can dip a toe in to the drug business without getting sucked down. He soon finds he’s in over his head and tries his best to get out of a desperate situation. Apparently a number of top actors are vying for roles in the pic, and Scott hopes to begin production on May 1st. Fassbender is a tremendous actor, and the idea of him tackling Cormac material is certainly exciting. He’s next set to reteam with Shame director Steve McQueen on the period drama Twelve Years a Slave. I sincerely hope he’s able to fit both films into his schedule.

Patton Oswalt in Talks for Ben Stiller’s THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 9th, 2012 at 4:56 pm

Coming off a terrific dramatic turn in Jason Reitman’s Young Adult, Patton Oswalt is now looking to star in Ben Stiller’s next directorial project. Showblitz reports that Oswalt is in talks to star in Stiller’s The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. The film is a remake of the 1947 Danny Kaye film which centers on a LIFE Magazine proofreader who, incapable of standing up for himself in the real world, retreats to a fantasy where he becomes his poised, confident opposite. Stiller stars as the proofreader, Kristin Wiig is onboard as his love interest, and Shirley MacLaine is set as Stiller’s mother. Oswalt will play Todd, “a friendly eHarmony counselor who helps the protagonist create an online dating profile.”

It seems like a perfectly suitable role for Oswalt, who I sincerely hope gets the chance to shine after holding his own opposite Charlize Theron in Young Adult. Oswalt will next be seen in the Dean Koontz adaptation Odd Thomas, and also stars alongside Steve Carell and Keira Knightley in Seeking a Friend for the End of the World. Production on Walter Mitty will begin in April in New York and Iceland.

DreamWorks and Working Title Set Steven Knight to Write New Adaptation of REBECCA

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 9th, 2012 at 4:37 pm

A new version of Rebecca is on its way courtesy of DreamWorks and Working Title. The Gothic novel by Daphne Du Maurier was famously adapted into a Best Picture winner by Alfred Hitchcock in 1940, and now Showblitz reports that Eastern Promises scribe Steven Knight has been tapped to pen a new adaptation. Knight will return to Du Maurier’s novel for the update, which centers on a young woman who marries a rich widower, only to find that her husband’s late wife still haunts their mansion estate. I’m not the biggest fan of Du Maurier’s novel, but there’s something encouraging about the fact that DreamWorks and Working Title are bent on making a Gothic drama. Though in lesser hands Rebecca could easily turn into a cheap spook-fest, Knight is a promising addition. In a film landscape filled with sequels and explosions, I’m pulling for something different with Rebecca.

Obviously it’s early in the game, so no director is attached at the moment. Knight has written a few high profile scripts as of late, including the Dan Brown adaptation The Lost Symbol and an untitled thriller starring Eric Bana and Rebecca Hall. He’s set to make his directorial debut on the thriller Hummingbird with Jason Statham in the lead. Hit the jump to read a synopsis for Du Maurier’s Rebecca.

George Lucas Addresses Changes to STAR WARS; Maintains Greedo Shot First

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 9th, 2012 at 2:24 pm

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace opens yet again this Friday, and the film is destined to make even more money because all the marketing for the 3D re-release has been aimed directly at kids. Even the junket interviews were conducted by children (you can watch our interviews here, here, and here). George Lucas hasn’t given too many interviews regarding the 3D release, but one hit today that’s sure to grind fanboy gear. During the discussion, Lucas defends the edits he’s made to the Star Wars saga, and specifically addresses CGI Yoda and why Greedo shot first. Hit the jump to see what he had to say.

John Cusack and Evan Peters Join ADULT WORLD Starring Emma Roberts

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 9th, 2012 at 1:34 pm

John Cusack and Evan Peters will co-star with Emma Roberts in Scott Coffey‘s satirical comedy Adult World.  Per Deadline, the film “examines the contemporary state of post graduate life in America.”  Roberts will play Amy Anderson, a recent college grad with a degree in poetry because I guess she was trying to find something even more useless than a B.A. in philosophy.  Since she doesn’t turn out to be “the next star of the literary world” (Quick! Name a famous poet under the age of 30!), she moves back in with her parents and is forced to get a real job.  The job: working at an erotic bookstore called Adult World.  Cusack will play Amy’s hero and mentor Rat Billings, “who was one of the greatest poets of the early 90s.”  I assume his day job was working at a Borders.

Kidding aside, I hope this film honestly hits the emotions and reality facing recent college grads.  The world ill needs another movie as unrelenting shitty as Post Grad.

Lea Michele in Talks for SPRING AWAKENING; Scott Eastwood to Join Clint Eastwood in TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 9th, 2012 at 1:16 pm

We’ve got a couple of casting stories to share with you today. First up, Glee star Lea Michele may finally get her wish of reprising a Broadway role in the feature film adaptation. Michele was previously up for the role of Eponine in Tom Hooper’s movie musical Les Miserables (she starred as Young Cosette on Broadway and as Eponine at the Hollywood Bowl), but stage star Samantha Barks ultimately won the part. Now the actress is apparently in talks for the movie version of Spring Awakening. Michele originated the female lead in the smash hit Broadway musical, and director McG recently told E! Online that he’s in talks with the actress to reprise the role for his feature adaptation.

The This Means War director stressed that they have to see if Michele’s Glee schedule interferes with his shooting schedule, but he’s hopefuly things will work out. Steve sat down with McG recently and the director gave updates on all of his upcoming projects, including Spring Awakening. He said that he’s planning on putting a Baz Luhrmann-esque spin on the movie. No word on how soon filming will begin, but I sincerely hope Jonathan Groff reprises his Broadway lead in the film as well. Hit the jump for casting news regarding Clint Eastwood’s baseball drama Trouble with the Curve.

Paul Giamatti, Paul Rudd, and Sally Hawkins to Star in Comedy LUCKY DOG

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 9th, 2012 at 12:07 pm

Paul Giamatti, Paul Rudd, and Sally Hawkins are set to lead Phil Morrison‘s comedy Lucky Dog.  Per Deadline, “the story centers on a pair of French-Canadian conmen pals who, despite being on the outs with each other, hatch a get-rich-quick scheme to sell Christmas trees in NY.”  I’m not sure what’s quick about selling Christmas trees, but I’ll go along with it even though I thought Morrison’s previous film, Junebug, was an absolute chore with the exception of Amy Adams‘ performance.  Filming on Lucky Dog begins next month in New York City.

As we reported last month, Giamatti is set to play Friar Lawrence (the guy who cooks up the idiotic fake-death potion) in the period adaptation of Romeo and Juliet.  Rudd is leading Errol Morris‘ non-documentary feature Freezing People Is Easy, and he’ll be seen later this year in the comedies Wanderlust and the Knocked Up spinoff, This Is Forty.  As for Hawkins, she’s co-starring in Mike Newell‘s adaptation of Great Expectations.

Legendary Pictures Scraps Alex Proyas’ PARADISE LOST Starring Bradley Cooper

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 9th, 2012 at 12:02 pm

In the climate of budget conscious studios hesitant to gamble money on anything that doesn’t have a “2” in the title, more and more ambitious projects are having trouble crossing the finish line. Universal passed on Guillermo del Toro’s At the Mountains of Madness, Ron Howard and Brian Grazer are struggling to get their blended, multi-part film/TV adaptation of The Dark Tower off the ground, and most recently we saw Warner Bros. put their fantasy pic Arthur & Lancelot on hold in order to work out budget issues.

Now you can add Paradise Lost to the list of blue balled titles, as Legendary has pulled the plug. The ambitious adaptation of John Milton’s classic epic poem was to begin shooting in January, but Legendary decided in December to push production back in order to reduce the budget. Now the studio has scrapped the project all together. Hit the jump for more, including why Legendary backed out.

MAN OF STEEL Star Henry Cavill in Talks to Star in Edward Zwick’s THE GREAT WALL

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 9th, 2012 at 11:27 am

While it feels like Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel has been filming forever, star Henry Cavill is finally looking to book his first post-Superman role. Variety reports that Cavill is now in negotiations to star in director Edward Zwick’s (The Last Samurai) period epic The Great Wall. The film “looks at the mystery behind how China’s Great Wall was constructed.” Zwick wrote the screenplay with Marshall Herskovitz, based on a story by World War Z author Max Brooks and Thomas Tull.

No other plot details are given, but historically speaking the Great Wall was constructed in the 5th century BC in order to keep nomadic groups out of the Chinese Empire. It’s unknown what kind of approach Zwick will take, or what kind of character Cavill will play. The actor was recently seen in Immortals, but we’ve got quite a while to wait before we see him don the tights. Man of Steel opens June 14th, 2013.

Morgan Freeman Joins Tom Cruise in OBLIVION

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 9th, 2012 at 10:55 am

Morgan Freeman has joined Tom Cruise, Andrea Riseborough, and Olga Kurylenko in Joseph Kosinski’s sci-fi action flick Oblivion (formerly titled Horizons).  Cruise plays a veteran soldier who’s banished to the surface of a post-apocalyptic Earth and tasked with repairing ships that hunt down the aliens who destroyed our planet. When a mysterious woman (Riseborough) crash-lands nearby, their encounter sets off an eye-opening chain of events.  Deadline reports that Freeman’s role is currently unknown, but it’s a “critical part.”  I don’t have those details either, but I’m willing to wager it will be a dignified, intelligent character who is either a mentor and/or a nemesis.  Call it a hunch. [Update: Variety's Jeff Sneider tweets, "Morgan Freeman will play Malcolm Beech, the leader of the human resistance on Earth."]

Freeman will be seen in theaters later this summer reprising his role as Lucius Fox in The Dark Knight Rises.  He’s also co-starring in Louis Leterrier‘s magician heist flick Now You See Me.

Casting Call: Sands Joins Coens’ INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS; Osment to Star in I’LL FOLLOW YOU DOWN; O’Dowd and Gillen in CALVARY

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 9th, 2012 at 9:23 am

We’ve got a few quick casting stories to report this morning.  First up, Stark Sands (Generation Kill) has joined the Coen Brothers‘ upcoming film Inside Llewyn Davis.  The movie takes place in 1961 Greenwich Village and centers on a young musician (Oscar Isaac) trying to make it in the folk scene.  The film co-stars Carey Mulligan, Justin Timberlake, Garrett Hedlund, and John Goodman.  According to Deadline, Sands will play “Troy Nelson, a young soldier on leave who’s a forlorn and talented musician.”  Sands’ recently appeared in the Broadway adaptation of Green Day‘s Americna Idiot.

Hit the jump for casting news on I’ll Follow You Down and John Michael McDonagh’s Calvary.

Collider Visits the Set of JOHN CARTER

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 9th, 2012 at 9:07 am

“Barsoom” reads a sign on the outskirts of the movie set we’re about to visit.  “Barsoom” is what Martians call their planet in Edgar Rice Burroughs‘ A Princess of Mars.  A group of my fellow online movie journalists and I are headed to the set of Andrew Stanton‘s adaptation of the classic sci-fi novel, John Carter.  Mars may technically be in Big Water, Utah, but today we’ll be walking the ruins of an ancient Martian city, meeting a princess who bleeds blue, and a nine-foot-tall nomad tribe of warriors.  Hit the jump to take a trip to the red planet and find out about my visit to the set of John Carter.

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