Earlier today, we reported that director Kathryn Bigelow had signed on to direct Held by the Taliban, which is based on New York Times writer David Rhode chronicling his captivity by the Taliban.  Now, Risky Biz Blog is reporting says Bigelow is not attached because Terrence Malick is also interested in the project.  That’s a big deal because Malick is like an Ent: he is very deliberate, takes a long time to do anything, and will storm Isengard if you give him a motivational speech.

The “package” that went out to the studios is an adaptation by Stephen Belber (Management) with Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall attached to produce.  Bigelow has signaled interest in the project, but her reps and the reps for the Times both say she is not attached at this point.  Now Malick has thrown his hat into the ring by saying he wants to produce the film and he has his own pitch on the material.  It’s unknown who will win out and Risky Biz says that it’s unlikely the projects could co-exist unless Malick and Kennedy/Marshall could combine forces for one movie.  Risky Biz expects a deal on who will direct or produce will be hammered out by Monday.  Of course, in Malick time, that could be Monday, January 18, 2020.  The dude is slooooow.

Matt Damon is having a big week.  Not content with appearing on every talk show known to man in support of his new movie “The Informant!”, or with announcing that he will reteam with “Informant!” director Steven Soderbergh for his new “Liberace” biopic, Damon is also getting some play in the trades for a project that has nothing to do with Soderbergh for a change.  Damon will next star in “Hereafter”, a supernatural thriller from director Clint Eastwood that is set to film this fall.  To give Matt Damon another topic to discuss at press junkets, hit the jump.