
After we reported that Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead) was set to direct Johnny Depp (Dark Shadows) in the feature film version of The Night Stalker, all that was left to complete was attaching a writer. Surprise! The powers that be have tapped D.V. DeVincentis (High Fidelity) to script the big screen adaptation of the 1970s series. The original show followed Carl Kolchak (Darren McGavin), a Chicago-based tabloid reporter who always seemed to find himself rooting out a supernatural source to the crimes he investigated. The show, created by Jeff Rice, only ran for one season but did well in syndication; well enough that Depp, Wright and now DeVincentis are all attached for the feature treatment. THR reports that DeVincentis is the latest addition to The Night Stalker project, making it the most recent development in his resume that includes the Stephen Frears-directed, Lay the Favorite and the adaptation currently-in-production, King Dork.

The Spanish-language pic Casa de mi Padre starring Will Ferrell is looking like it’ll be one of the more ridiculous comedies to come our way in quite some time, and now director Matt Piedmont is lining up his next project. Piedmont is teaming back up with Gary Sanchez and NALA Films to direct an adaptation of Frank Portman’s novel King Dork (in English). The story is set in 1987 and centers on two high school outsiders who bond over their love of classic rock. The protagonist finds his dead father’s copy of The Catcher in the Rye and his life changes forever. The book is described as “part mystery, part coming-of-age tale, and part critique on teenage popular culture.” Hit the jump for more.

I have some theories regarding Lay the Favorite. I believe screenwriter D.V. DeVincentis was partly paying attention to the script, partly paying attention to ESPN, and mostly paying attention to soft-core porn. The talented actress Rebecca Hall must have had her brain switched with adult film star Katie Morgan. And the director Stephen Frears can’t be the same one who directed High Fidelity, The Queen, and The Grifters. There must be a different director who is also named Stephen Frears, but who is also far less talented. These theories are the only way to explain why Lay the Favorite is so freaking terrible.

Director Stephen Frears and screenwriter D.V. DeVincentis, who teamed up on High Fidelity, are set to work together once again. Variety reports that the duo will tackle an English-language adaptation of the documentary The Bengali Detective for Fox Searchlight. Directed by Philip Cox, the original centers on private eye Rajesh Ji “as he explores Calcutta’s criminal underworld while pursuing his dream to dance on Indian TV.” Ridley and Tony Scott’s Scott Free production banner will produce. While I’m unfamiliar with The Bengali Detective, it sounds like the kind of quirky premise that’s right up Frears and DeVincentis’ alley, with Grosse Pointe Blank coming to mind. Frears and DeVincentis most recently teamed up on Lay the Favorite, an adaptation of Beth Raymer’s memoir. The drama stars Rebecca Hall and centers on Raymer’s rise through the ranks of sports gambling. The cast also includes Bruce Willis and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Hit the jump to watch the trailer for the original Bengali Detective.

Stephen Frears is probably one of the most successful directors that most Americans have never heard of because his movies tend to be highly British. However, he does enjoy some solid success when he comes over to this side of the Atlantic with the popular films “The Grifters” and “High Fidelity”. The latter film, adapted from Nick Hornby’s book, was a box office flop but has developed a strong cult following over the years. Now it looks like he may reunite with the film’s screenwriter D.V. DeVincentis for another adaptation. This time they’re going for geeky gamblers rather than music nerds. Hit the jump for details.
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