After directing a successful run in Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, Brad Peyton is reportedly in negotiations to direct disaster movie, San Andreas 3D.  Plot details are scant, but the crux of the picture revolves around an earthquake that strikes California.  We previously reported that the plot also involves a man taking a journey from Los Angeles to San Francisco in order to reconcile with his estranged wife who has taken their children and moved in with another man.  The script, originally written by Andre Fabrizio and Jeremy Passmore (the Red Dawn remake), was touched up by Allan Loeb (Just Go with It).  Heat Vision reports that New Line is in talks with Peyton, who was recently attached to write and direct the DC Comics’ Lobo feature and will also be heading the third Journey installment.

I guess it was only a matter of time. With Hollywood craving anything and everything 3D, the market seems ripe for a disaster film resurgence. What better way to kick off a string of 3D disaster pics than with earthquakes? New Line Cinema is leading the charge with the aptly named San Andreas: 3D. 24 Frames reports that versatile scribe Allan Loeb (Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, 21) wrote the script, which centers on a man “forced to go on the road to reconcile with his children and his estranged wife, who’s moved away and taken up with another man.” The film follows the protagonist’s journey from Los Angeles to San Francisco.

Beau Flynn (Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D) is producing, and the project is currently seeking a director. With movies like this, the best you can really hope for is big spectacle (Michael Bay could sure have some fun with earthquakes in 3D). Roland Emmerich took a stab at monstrous quakes with 2012 pretty effectively, so we’ll have to see if the director they go with can come up with a cool take on the disaster genre. Either way, 3D earthquakes are coming soon to a theater near you.

Logan Lerman has signed on to star in The Only Living Boy in New York for director Seth Gordon (Four Christmases).  According to Deadline, the indie drama (written by The Dilemma screenwriter Allan Loeb) “is a twisted coming of age tale in which a young man (Lerman) learns that his overbearing father is having an affair. The son tries to stop it, only to become involved with the woman as well. With advice from a questionable quirky neighbor, the young man learns about love.”  Ugh.  Because the premise isn’t quirky faux-drama enough, let’s throw in a quirky neighbor who gives advice.

Lerman will next be seen in the atrocious-looking 3D adaptation of The Three Musketeers.  He’s also set to star in an adaptation of The Perks of Being a Wallflower opposite Emma Watson.  As for Gordon, his new film Horrible Bosses, opens July 8th.

Actor Kevin James is quickly becoming the Rob Schneider of the 2000′s. After last year’s Paul Blart: Mall Cop (“Kevin James is a mall cop”), and 2011′s Zookeeper (“Kevin James is a zookeeper”), it’s looking like the actor’s next project will be “Kevin James is a mixed martial arts fighter” (not to be outdone by the upcoming “Kevin James is a valet guy”).  Pajiba reports that James’ Grown Ups co-star Salma Hayek is being eyed for the lead female role.  The Sony Pictures comedy is being written by screenwriter Allan Loeb (The Switch), and centers on a physics teacher who moonlights as a MMA fighter in order to save the job of the school’s music teacher.

Professional MMA fighter (and Zookeeper voice-over co-star) Bas Rutten is also reportedly in talks for a role in the film. No director is currently set for the untitled MMA project. James will next be seen in Ron Howard’s The Dilemma, which opens on January 14, 2011, followed by Zookeeper on July 8, 2011.

Columbia Pictures has optioned the rights to Neil Strauss’ non-fiction book Emergency! This Book Will Save Your Life as a possible starring vehicle for Robert Downey Jr.  Downey will produce along with his wife and producing partner Susan Downey as well as Michael De Luca.  Screenwriter Allan Loeb (Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps) is handling the script.  Strauss’ book has the author learning various survival skills that he will most likely never need to use in his day-to-day life.

Producer Columbia Pictures President Matt Tolmach said of the project in a press release, “Neil Strauss is a tremendous talent and we think Emergency! is his best work yet.  It’s a hugely entertaining read that couldn’t be more timely or topical. We think there is a fantastic film in this book and Robert and Susan, and of course, Mike are the perfect producers to take on the themes of this project.”

Hit the jump for a refresher on Downey’s other projects along with the full press release.

Kevin James is set star in an untitled comedy for Sony Pictures.  According to Variety, the film is about “a physics teacher who moonlights as a martial arts fighter to save his school’s music program.”  While the film lacks a title, may I suggest “Fatty Fall Down” since I assume that will be the basis for most of the jokes.  Screenwriter Allan Loeb (The Switch) is in talks to handle the script.

James has become a favorite of the studio ever since January 2009 when Paul Blart: Mall Cop was a surprise hit at the box office and grossed $146 million.  James is also leading their family comedy The Zookeeper, which is due out July 8, 2011.  He’ll next be seen in Ron Howard’s cheating-couples comedy The Dilemma, which opens January 14, 2011.  Production on the mixed martial arts comedy could begin as soon as early 2011.

Today we have the first image (plus a few more details) from Ron Howard’s The Dilemma.  Vince Vaughn, Kevin James, Jennifer Connelly, and Winona Ryder star with a script from Allan Loeb (The Switch).  The film centers on a man (Vaughn) who learns that the wife of his best friend (James) might be cheating.  Howard remarked to USA Today, “There is so much about Vince and Kevin’s relationship that could all unravel — they have a business together, they share a four-way friendship with Kevin’s wife (Ryder) and Vince’s girlfriend (Connelly).”

Among other things, Vaughn promises that James does “some JumboTron dancing” at a Chicago Blackhawks game when The Dilemma opens on January 14, 2011.

Opening next week is the Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman movie The Switch.  Here’s the synopsis:

The film is an offbeat comedy about Kassie (Aniston), a smart, fun-loving single woman who, despite her slightly neurotic best friend Wally’s (Bateman) objections, decides it’s time to have a baby—even if it means doing it by herself… with a little help from a charming sperm donor (Patrick Wilson). But, unbeknownst to her, Kassie’s plans go awry because of a last-minute switch that isn’t discovered until seven years later when Wally finally gets acquainted with Kassie’s precocious—though slightly neurotic—son. The Switch also stars Patrick Wilson, Jeff Goldblum, Juliette Lewis, and Thomas Robinson.

The Switch used to be called The Baster when Bateman spoke to Steve about it last year.  Hit the jump to check out five clips from the film:

Gary Fleder (Runaway Jury, The Express) has signed on to helm Protection.  Produced by John Davis (the upcoming Gulliver’s Travels and Marmaduke), the thriller, “centers on a college professor who investigates the disappearance of his wife and daughter and who must confront authorities at the Witness Protection Program to find them.”  Oh, those rascally folks at the Witness Protection Program.  Always up to no good, protecting witnesses, and what not.

Mark Bomback (Live Free or Die Hard) will rewrite the spec script from Allan Loeb (21). [Variety]

Columbia is developing a Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston romantic comedy called Pretend Wife that might be directed by Sandler buddy Dennis Dugan (Happy Gilmore, You Don’t Mess With the Zohan).  While the story is being kept under wraps, it’s been written by Allan Loeb and Tim Dowling and it was once known as Holiday in Hawaii.  The studio is looking at Feb. 11, 2011 as a release date, which is the Friday before Valentine’s Day.

While Adam Sandler movies are definitely hit or miss, I’m always surprised to see anyone want to pair up with Jennifer Aniston, as she is box office poison.  With the exception of Marley & Me, I don’t think any of her movies are considered big hits and none of them have opened well.  Of course pairing with Sandler – who can open almost any movie – means it’s not on her opening weekend.  Kudos to her agent for pairing her with Sandler. (via THR)

Does anyone else think it ironic that Working Title won the bidding war on a feature that is, in essence, working on its title? According to Variety, the company threw down a high six figures to beat out Original Film and New Regency, clinching the rights to a star vehicle that will be written by Allan Loeb and starring Ryan Reynolds…in drag. The of-yet-unnamed project will feature Reynolds dressing as a woman to become BFFs with his ex and win her back. More on the project after the jump.