July 27 2006
In Universal Pictures news: First, David Gordon Green* and Danny McBride have sold their pitch “Mr. Machine” to the studio. The high-concept comedy is about three braniacs who create a robot that runs amok and tries to achieve global domination. Jon, Dan and Doug Heder (Greasy Entertainment) will produce the project, but Jon will not star in the film. Brian Grazer will also produce. Scott Bernstein and David Ortiz are shepherding for the studio, while David Bernardi will do the same for Imagine. CAA represents both Greasy Entertainment and the writers.
*What?! This is the auteur who made the ultra-serious “George Washington” and “Undertow.”
Second, Barry Blaustein and Jason Hefter have sold their pitch “Magic 8 Ball” to the folks in the Black Tower. The comedy involves the titular kid’s toy. Tom Shadyac and Michael Bostick are producing, with Shadyac considering the possibility of directing. 7/27
In Paramount Pictures news: Brad Pitt has signed on to top-line “The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons” for the Melrose-based studio. Warner Bros. is co-financing the venture. Eric Roth penned the script based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s fantasy story about a guy who starts aging backwards when he hits 50. Cate Blanchett is also starring in the film, which David Fincher is directing. Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall are producing.
Next, Dito Montiel has been tapped to pen a re-draft and to helm “Runnin’” for the "P'mount." The drama originally written by Robert Munic revolves around the world of illegal gambling. Kevin Misher and Patrick Baker are producing. 7/27
Kyle MacDonald has sold his pitch “One Red Paperclip” to DreamWorks. The comedy (?) is based on MacDonald’s clever true-life scheme to ultimately acquire a house through trading with strangers, starting with the titular office product – and lo and behold - he did it in 14 swaps! Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald are producing. The project is out to writers. 7/27
Keith Donohue has sold the film rights to his novel “The Stolen Child” to Amazon.com’s film division. The adventure drama is about a boy who is abducted by forest creatures and the changeling that’s left for his family to take his place. Amazon.com* won’t be providing financing for the project, but will be acting as a marketer on the film. UTA brokered the deal for the author. 7/27
*Sniff-sniff. What's that smell? We could be wrong, but isn't that "vertical integration"?
Russell Gewirtz has been hired to adapt the French film “Labyrinth” for Summit Entertainment. The thriller is about an investigator who must deal with a mental patient’s many personalities in order to track down the identity of a serial killer. Hillary Swank is starring, as well as producing with Erik Feig, Patrick Wachsberger, Rachel Rothman, Victoria Wisdom, Mark Morgan and Guy Oseary. 7/27
The Broken Lizard comedy troupe has signed on to star in and to produce “The Babymaker” for Warner Bros. The ensemble comedy written by Peter Gaulke and Gerry Swallow is about an impotent guy who recruits his friends to help him steal back the sperm he donated years ago so he and his new wife can procreate. Jay Chandrasekhar is directing the film. Gerber Pictures is also producing. 7/27
William Baldwin is joining Henry Winkler, Brenda Strong, Lisa Guerrero, Chris Kelly, Morgan Flynn and Owen Pearce in “A Plumm Summer” for Home Team Prods. and Fair Play Pictures. T.J. Lynch, Frank Antonelli and Caroline Zelder wrote the drama (?) inspired by the true-life event of boys who try to solve the kidnapping of their puppet. Zelder will make her directorial debut on the film, which Scott Erickson, Guerrero, Antonelli and Zelder are producing. 7/27
*What?! This is the auteur who made the ultra-serious “George Washington” and “Undertow.”
Second, Barry Blaustein and Jason Hefter have sold their pitch “Magic 8 Ball” to the folks in the Black Tower. The comedy involves the titular kid’s toy. Tom Shadyac and Michael Bostick are producing, with Shadyac considering the possibility of directing. 7/27
In Paramount Pictures news: Brad Pitt has signed on to top-line “The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons” for the Melrose-based studio. Warner Bros. is co-financing the venture. Eric Roth penned the script based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s fantasy story about a guy who starts aging backwards when he hits 50. Cate Blanchett is also starring in the film, which David Fincher is directing. Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall are producing.
Next, Dito Montiel has been tapped to pen a re-draft and to helm “Runnin’” for the "P'mount." The drama originally written by Robert Munic revolves around the world of illegal gambling. Kevin Misher and Patrick Baker are producing. 7/27
Kyle MacDonald has sold his pitch “One Red Paperclip” to DreamWorks. The comedy (?) is based on MacDonald’s clever true-life scheme to ultimately acquire a house through trading with strangers, starting with the titular office product – and lo and behold - he did it in 14 swaps! Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald are producing. The project is out to writers. 7/27
Keith Donohue has sold the film rights to his novel “The Stolen Child” to Amazon.com’s film division. The adventure drama is about a boy who is abducted by forest creatures and the changeling that’s left for his family to take his place. Amazon.com* won’t be providing financing for the project, but will be acting as a marketer on the film. UTA brokered the deal for the author. 7/27
*Sniff-sniff. What's that smell? We could be wrong, but isn't that "vertical integration"?
Russell Gewirtz has been hired to adapt the French film “Labyrinth” for Summit Entertainment. The thriller is about an investigator who must deal with a mental patient’s many personalities in order to track down the identity of a serial killer. Hillary Swank is starring, as well as producing with Erik Feig, Patrick Wachsberger, Rachel Rothman, Victoria Wisdom, Mark Morgan and Guy Oseary. 7/27
The Broken Lizard comedy troupe has signed on to star in and to produce “The Babymaker” for Warner Bros. The ensemble comedy written by Peter Gaulke and Gerry Swallow is about an impotent guy who recruits his friends to help him steal back the sperm he donated years ago so he and his new wife can procreate. Jay Chandrasekhar is directing the film. Gerber Pictures is also producing. 7/27
William Baldwin is joining Henry Winkler, Brenda Strong, Lisa Guerrero, Chris Kelly, Morgan Flynn and Owen Pearce in “A Plumm Summer” for Home Team Prods. and Fair Play Pictures. T.J. Lynch, Frank Antonelli and Caroline Zelder wrote the drama (?) inspired by the true-life event of boys who try to solve the kidnapping of their puppet. Zelder will make her directorial debut on the film, which Scott Erickson, Guerrero, Antonelli and Zelder are producing. 7/27
posted by Script_Radar at 9:50 AM
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