Get out your fishing rod because it’s time for some casting:

• John Leguizamo signed up for Kick-Ass 2 and will star opposite Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Penelope Cruz, and Cameron Diaz in Ridley Scott‘s The Counselor.
• Demian Bichir will join Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock in The Heat, directed by Paul Feig (Bridesmaids).
• Christopher Smith will star with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and James Gandolfini in the latest film from writer/director Nicole Holofcener (Please Give).

File this under rumor for now, but word is that British director Christopher Smith (Severence, Creep) is currently the top choice to direct Lionsgate’s Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. The revolving-door on the production has seen David O. Russell sign on to direct with Natalie Portman set to star and produce, then Portman left the project, then Russell left, then Mike White signed on to direct, and then most recently he left the project as well. Now, Quiet Earth (via SlashFilm) reports that an “inside source” at Lionsgate tipped them off that Smith is now the frontrunner to direct the project.

Take all of this with a grain of salt though, as this project has had a litany of names “attached”, “rumored”, or “circling” the film in its short history, with few actually materializing. For all of our past coverage of the circus that is Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, click here. [Update: Lionsgate has contacted us to address the original Quiet Earth source as being false.  Wel'll have more on the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies director's chair as it becomes available.]

The Black Death is spreading to American shores with the premiere of a red band trailer. The film, starring Sean Bean (Lord of the Rings), is set during the first outbreak of the bubonic plague in 14th century England. Bean plays a knight, Ulric, who is tasked with discovering the secret of a small group of villagers who can resist the plague’s effects. He is guided by a young monk, played by Eddie Redmayne (The Other Boleyn Girl). Black Death also stars David Warner (TRON) and Carice van Houten (Valkyrie), directed by Christopher Smith (Severance).

If you were a fan of fellow LotR alum Karl Urban’s brutal Viking saga Pathfinder, you’re sure to love the Dark Ages violence of Black Death. Hit the jump for the red-band trailer and full synopsis.

In a response of sorts to the 2006 film Paris, je t’aime (which in English is “Paris I Love You”) a number of horror directors have signed on to direct segments in Paris I’ll Kill You.  So far, directors attached include Joe Dante (Gremlins), Paco Plaza ([REC]), Vincenzo Natali (Splice), Xavier Gens (Hitman), and Ryuhei Kitamura (Midnight Meat Train). THR reports that the film will be produced by Darryn Welch (Night Train) and Mathieu Robinet (Flawless).  Lesser known directors that will also be helming segments include Christopher Smith, Joern Heitmann, and French duo Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo.

Paris, je t’aime included romantic-themed short films from directors like Alfonso Cuarón, Alexander Payne, and the Coen brothers.  That film spun off the star-studded New York, I Love You with even more directors helming segments, this time centered around New York City, and producers are currently planning films dedicated to Shanghai and Jerusalem.  Producers of Paris I’ll Kill You are pitching the film to studios with the same type of franchise-like plan, with more horror-themed films.  Personally, I think this sounds like a really cool project and can’t wait to get a first look at it.  Let’s hope this one’s successful enough to guarantee a second one.  I’d love to see today’s masters of horror team up for one truly terrifying flick.  What about you? What director’s would you like to see included in the project?