April 28 2006
Kathryn Price and Nichole Millard have been hired by Walt Disney Pictures to adapt the teen novel, “I’d Tell You, But Then I’d Have To Kill You” by Ally Carter. The young female adult spy adventure tome is basically “Alias” meets “Cody Banks” meets... you get the picture. There’s a cute boy in the mix who has no idea of the teen girl agent’s true identity. Then she kills him. Or maybe not. Read the book to find out. 4/28
Larry Charles is in final talks with Paramount Pictures to direct “The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band,” the film version of the memoirs co-written by Motley Crue and Neil Strauss. Rich Wilkes penned the script. 4/28
Jennifer Ehle, Edward Norton and Colin Farrell have all been cast in "Pride and Glory" for New Line Cinema. The film was written by Gavin and Gregory O’Connor, and Joe Carnahan, and is about two cop brothers in NY, one of whom discovers his sibling is corrupt. Gavin is directing, while Gregory is producing. I don't know if either of those brothers are corrupt, but then again, I don't care if either is. 4/28
Lindsay Lohan and Adrien Brody have signed on to the comedy “Speechless” (previously “The Guided Man”). The indie was written by Steve Adams and Michael Urban, based on a story by L. Sprague De Camp. The story is basically a contempo re-telling of the classic Cyrano De Bergerac. Brian Dannelly collaborated on the screenplay and is directing. Cami Winikoff, Robin Schorr and Mark Amin are producing. 4/28
Okay deep breath… lots of Marvel Studios news… Arthur Marcum and Josh Holloway have been hired to write “Iron Man,” which Jon Favreau is directing… Joe Cornish and Edgar Wright have signed on to pen “Ant Man,” with Wright directing as well… David Self is working on “Captain America”… Andrew Marlow is adapting “Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D”… Mark Protosevich is cranking out “Thor: Tales of Asgard”… and finally, Zak Penn is doing the “Hulk” sequel. Whew! 4/28
It’s Friday! Peace out!
April 27 2006
Robert Benton has been tapped to direct two book adaptations for Lakeshore Entertainment. The first is "Feast of Love," based on the novel by Charles Baxter about a group of Ann Arbor, Michigan residents as they fall in and out of love. The second project is "Appointment in Samarra," based on John O’Hara’s novel which tells the story of Caroline and Julian English, WASPs whose social status in Pennsylvania crumbles after Julian throws a drink in the face of the town's leading Catholic businessman at a Christmas party. Benton wrote the script for the latter project. 4/27
Mark Legan and Mark Wilding have sold their sci-fi pitch "Family Time" for low- to mid-six figures to 20th Century Fox. The script is about... uh... a family that has adventures while traveling through... uh... time. Tom Jacobson will produce. Monnie Wills will oversee the project for the producer, while Debbie Liebling will do the same for the studio. 4/27
Jonathan Davis has sold his comedy pitch "Unsportsmanlike Conduct" to Columbia Pictures. The film will be about a baseball team manager who hires a mathematician to find players with the highest-ranking statistics – unfortunately those players are also the most insane. Todd Garner (Broken Road) and Hunt Lowry are producing, with my boy Ben Haber handling development duties. 4/27
Universal Pictures has nabbed "We Own the Night" for domestic distribution. The thriller was written and directed by James Gray and is set in 80s New York, when Russian gangsters started targeting cops’ families in an attempt to intimidate New York's finest. Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg, Robert Duvall and Eva Mendes are starring. Marc Cuban (2929 Prods.) and Nick Wechsler (Industry Entertainment) are producing. 4/27
Producers Howard and Karen Baldwin have set-up Ayn Rand’s novel “Atlas Shrugged” at Lionsgate. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are supposedly interested in toplining in the film. The book is a dark cautionary tale about a future America in which the good capitalists’ effort to stop the country’s economic and social collapse is thwarted by an increasingly bad authoritarian federal government. Sounds like a popcorn movie to me. 4/27
Mike Myers will star in the comedy “How To Survive A Robot Uprising” for Paramount Pictures. The sci-fi story is based on the manual by robotics expert Daniel H. Wilson and is being adapted by Thomas Lennon and Ben Garant. Myers will play a scientist who saves the world from robots running haywire. 4/27Eric Valette has been hired by Warner Bros. to direct the American remake of Takashi Miike’s Japanese horror film “Chakushin- ari”(a.k.a. “One Missed Call”). The adaptation was written by Andrew Klavan and is about a young woman whose friends experience horrible deaths three days after receiving phone calls from the future – from themselves as they are suffering their brutal fate. The woman suddenly gets her own call. Scott Kroopf (Intermedia) is producing. 4/27Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem and Josh Brolin have all been cast in Joel and Ethan Coen’s next film “No Country For Old Men.” The film is based on the book by Cormac McCarthy and is about guys who turn on each other after they find a bag o’ cash from a drug deal gone awry near the Rio Grande. Scott Rudin is producing. 4/27
April 26 2006
Ashley E. Miller and Zack Stentz have sold their spec "The Feynman Chronicles" to the Walt Disney Pictures. The action-adventure film is set during the 1940s and is about a young American scientist who teams up with a female British spy and a French pilot to recover a mysterious alien object that has crashed in Africa before the Nazis get to it. Mark Ciardi and Gordon Gray (Mayhem Pictures) are producing.
Stephan Elliot and Sheirdan Jobbins have also sold a pitch to the Mouse House with the working title "In the Name of the Dog." Elliot is attached to direct the family comedy about a family whose pet dog inherits $500 million. 4/26
Phil Traill has been hired by Warner Bros. to direct an untitled comedy about two brothers who plot to stop their father from marrying a woman who isn’t what she seems to be. Dan Schneider, Hadley Davis and Roger Kumble all took turns on the script. 4/26
Stephen Belber has been hired by Paramount Pictures to adapt journalist Dexter Filkins’ NY Times Magazine piece “The Fall of the Warrior King.” The article is about Lieutenant Colonel Nathan Sassaman, who resigned after his soldiers caused the drowning death of an Iraqi. Tom Cruise is producing, and is also considering starring in the project. 4/26
Brad Anderson has signed on to direct “Transiberian” for Spanish mini-studio Filmax. The thriller is about a couple of travelers whose dream vacation descends into a nightmarish cocktail of lies, betrayal and murder after they decide to take the titular (tee-hee) railway from Beijing to Moscow. 4/26
Sarah Jessica Parker has checked into “Vacancy” for Sony. The suspense-thriller was written by Mark L. Smith and is about a couple whose life is upended after they check into a motel and unknowingly become the stars of a snuff film. The project is out to directors. 4/26
Morabito Picture Co. has acquired the remake rights to the acclaimed French film "13 (Tzameti)." Original director Gela Babluani will re-helm the project. The psychological thriller is about a young man who descends into the criminal underworld after discovering a secret society in which gangsters literally gamble with the lives of others. 4/26
April 25 2006
Writer-director Brad Anderson has been hired by production company Thousand Words to remake the acclaimed German film "The Edukators." The original was a drama about idealistic youths who grow disillusioned with simply protesting against global capitalism, so they begin acts of destruction and corporate sabotage. Palmer West and Jonah Smith are producing. 4/25
Julie Rottenberg and Elisa Zuritsky have been hired by New Line Cinema to polish the comedy “Heirhead Apparent.” The original draft was written by David Clawson and is about a department store owner's bratty daughter who ends up helping her father’s employees when the store is threatened with closure. 4/25
Bob Yari Productions has announced principal photography on the comedy “Kickin’ It Old Skool.” The script was written by Trace Slobotkin, Josh Siegal and Dylan Morgan. The film is about a man who comes out of a 20 year coma and tries to revive break-dancing as a popular activity. Jamie Kennedy, Maria Menounos Vivica Fox, Michael Rosenbaum, Christopher McDonald and Alan Ruck are starring. Harvey Glazer is directing. 4/25
Bill Wheeler has been hired by Miramax to write the film version of the book “Timothy Leary: A Biography” by Robert Greenfield. The story will show the 60s counterculture leader as he goes from a Harvard educator to LSD proponent-slash-provocateur. 4/25
Mary Stuart Masterson has been tapped to star in and direct "The Cake Eaters.” Written by Jayce Bartok, the drama focuses on the ups-and-downs experienced by two families when a prodigal son returns home and causes proverbial skeletons to come out of the closet. Allen Bain, Darren Goldberg, Elisa Pugliese and Jesse Scolaro are producing. 4/25
April 24 2006
Dennie Gordon has been hired by producer Denise Di Novi to adapt the book "A Special Relationship." The British thriller tome is about a US female reporter living in Britain whose life turns into a nightmare when her young son vanishes and her English husband (also a reporter whom she met in the Middle East) tries to have her committed to an asylum. 4/24
Benderspink and producer Josh C. Kline have acquired the film rights to the classic anime “Star Blazers” (a.k.a. “Space Battleship Yamato”). The epic 70s Japanese cartoon series is set in the 22nd Century, when a brave group of astronauts commandeer an awesome, gigantic starship to a distant planet that offers help to a dying Earth that’s been nearly destroyed by alien invaders. The project is out to writers. 4/24
Danny DeVito, Dylan Walsh and Justin have signed on to star in "One Part Sugar." Hart Bochner wrote and will direct the comedy about a guy who stays in his small town with the hopes sparking a romance with an old crush, eventually fighting the town ruffians in order to revive the burg. 4/24
Chris Kattan and James Denton have been cast in writer-director Glasgow Phillips’ supernatural-horror-comedy “Wanted: Undead Or Alive,” a zombie Western about crooks trying to outrun a posse of the undead. Linda McDonough (Odd Lot Entertainment) is producing. 4/24
DreamWorks has signed Peter and Bobby Farrelly to remake the French film “The Valet.” The farce is about a parking lot employee who gets entangled in a plot when he’s spotted in a paparazzi photo with a cheating millionaire and his mistress. 4/24
April 21 2006
Paramount Pictures has handed the keys and fuzzy Kremulac dice of the Starship Enterprise to JJ Abrams, who will produce, direct, write and probably cater the next installment of the Star Trek franchise. The script will be co-written by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, and will focus on James T. Kirk and Mr. Spock’s (mis)adventures in Star Fleet Academy. Bryan Burk and Damien Lindelof will also produce with Abrams. 4/21
Newbie Alex Sabeti has sold his comedy spec “The Art of Cool” to Sony for $600,000 against $850,000. The story involves a high school geek who uses Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War” to become a big man on campus. Eric Gold (Mosaic Media Group) is producing. 4/21
Pam Buchignati and Lynnette Ramirez have sold their comedy pitch "Deep in the Heart of Texas" to Touchstone Pictures. Eva Longoria will star in and produce the film which is about a bratty L.A. woman who is reassigned to run the Texas branch of her ad agency – the problem being that she has lost touch with her Latin roots and must learn to re-adapt. Throw a quirky “urban cowboy” boss into the mix – y tienes comedia del oro! The project is out to directors. 4/21
Ron Howard has cast his daughter Bryce Dallas Howard in his next film “The Look of Real” for Universal Pictures. And why not? She’s got acting chops, she’s got marketable looks, and it’s not like he’s directing her in a porn film. ‘Cause that would be weird. (Beat) The project, being polished by writer Winnie Holzman, is a behind-the-scenes look at the clothing industry. 4/21
Guillermo del Toro has joined the producing team of the horror film "The Call of the Sea." Jorge Olguin wrote the script about a young female marine biologist who discovers a link between a ghost ship that collects the souls of local fisherman and her ancestors. The project will star Leonor Varela and Santiago Cabrera. Chile Films is funding the project. Del Toro will be executive producing the Craft Services table. 4/21
New Line Cinema and Walden Media have cast Brendan Fraser in “Journey 3-D.” DV DeVincentis has written the update to Jules Vernes’ “Journey to the Center of the Earth” about a father and son team who discover a secret passage to the center of the…? Anyone? Bueller? Eric Brevig is directing the film. 4/21
April 20 2006
Spoiler Alert: Script Radar is feeling loopy today…
Byron Willinger and Phil DeBlasi have sold their screenplay adaptation of John Milton's epic poem "Paradise Lost" to Legendary Pictures. Scott Derrickson has signed on to direct and develop the script, with Stuart Hazeldine doing a polish. The original is about… you know what? If you don’t know, you should just take a long walk off a short pier. 4/20
Alan Freedland and Alan R Cohen have sold their pitch “Jack of All Trades” to Disney. The comedy is about a rather normal, happy doctor whose psyche slowly sinks into paranoia when the handyman he hires starts to seem like he’s taking over the household. Adam Shankman is producing. 4/20
Roger Avary has been hired by Rogue Pictures, Focus Features, Constantine Films and Impact Pictures to adapt the video game “Driver” for the big screen. The story will focus on a cop who goes undercover as a getaway driver during a heist. 4/20
Morgan Creek Prods. has hired Garry Marshall to direct "Georgia Rule." The dark comedy is about a sassy, out-of-control teenage girl who is sent by her sassy, out-of-control mother to live with her totally sassy, but in-control grandmother during one summer. See what I did there? It’s a literary technique called a “twist.” Jane Fonda, Felicity Huffman and Lindsay Lohan are in negotiations to star. 4/20
James Franco has been cast in “Camille,” opposite Sienna Miller. The supernatural romance is being directed by Gregory Mackenzie, from a script by Nick Putsay. The story focuses on a young couple – he’s a thief, she’s his parole officer’s daughter - who get married and take a twisted honeymoon to Niagara Falls. Albert Ruddy, Brett Walsh and Daniel Grodnick are among the many producers of this project. 4/20
Laurence Fishburne has signed on to star in “Prey.” The script was written by Jerrold Brown and is about a hunter who breaks his leg while in the woods during a snowstorm, is rescued by a stranger, then is hunted by said stranger. I did that once to a cat, except it wasn’t a cat – it was an obnoxious cousin with a pig-nose. It took three BB pellets to bring Piggy down. James Marsh is directing the project. 4/20
Vinnie Jones has been cast by World Wrestling Entertainment to star in “The Condemned,” opposite Stone Cold Steve Austin. It’s about two gay wrestlers – just kidding. The script, written by Andy and Rob Hedden, is about a bad-ass about to be executed in Central America, but is spared only to fight a death-match in the jungle against another bad-ass for a reality tv show. Scott Wiper is directing. 4/20
April 19 2006
John Cox has been hired by Warner Bros. to write the film version of the DC Comic “Sgt. Rock.” Other scribes who’ve turned in drafts for this project include Brian Helgeland, John Milius, David Peoples and Steve De Souza. Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo developed the story, which focuses on a fictitious Army officer who kicked ass, took names and chomped on a cigar during World War II. Joel Silver is producing.
Also in WB news, Philip Reeve has sold the film rights of his family fantasy novel “Larklight” to the studio. Set during Victorian times, the book is about a kid-adventurer named Art, his sister named Myrtle and their father named Marmaduke Mumbsy as the trio saves the Earth in their space-traveling house. There are also space pirates and an evil genius in there. Denise De Novi is producing. The project is out to writers. 4/19
Johnny Rosenthal has sold his comedy pitch “Me, Me, Me” to New Line Cinema. The story revolves around a narcissist whose wish that everyone was like him comes true. Shawn Levy is producing. 4/19
Yuri Zeltser and Cary Bickley have been hired by Bristol Bay Prods. to write an untitled family comedy that takes place in Las Vegas during a Texas Hold’Em poker tournament. 4/19
Jack Groveland and Del Matthew Bigtree have sold their spec “Winalota Cash” to Infinity Media. The inspirational drama is about the Meridyths, the African-American family that triumphed over racism in 1955 when the horse they owned not only won in the prestigious All American Futurity race, but also set a record. 4/19
Playtone has acquired the film rights to the hit stage musical “Mamma Mia.” Unless you’ve been trapped in a cave for a decade (or are not gay), you already know that the story is about a young woman who tries to find the identity of her biological father as her wedding day approaches, with the cast singing chart-topping hits by 70s Swedish supergroup Abba. Original stage producer Judy Cramer and writer Catherine Johnson, as well as the Abba members Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, are remaining involved. 4/19
Sony pictures has acquired the film rights to Jason "J-Mac" McElwain’s life, an autistic teen who was allowed to play in the last minutes of the last game of the season and ended up scoring 20 points. Laura Ziskin is producing, with Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Mary Martin serving as executive producers. The project is out to writers. 4/19
Frank Oz has been hired by Sidney Kimmel Entertainment to direct the British comedy "Death at a Funeral." The script was written by Dean Craig and is about (what else?) a dysfunctional family that gathers at the patriarch’s funeral where a dark stranger is threatening to expose the family’s secrets. Hilarity ensues. Ewan Bremner, Matthew Macfayden and Peter Dinklage are starring. 4/19
April 18 2006
Abbie Cornish has been cast in "Stop-Loss" by Paramount Pictures. Written by Kimberly Pierce and Mark Richard, the drama is about an American soldier who defies orders by refusing to return to active duty in Iraq after he was initially allowed to return home. Pierce is also directing, as well as producing with Scott Rudin. Pam Abdy and Alli Shearmur are managing the project for the studio. CAA represents the actress.
In other Paramount news, Renee Zellweger has been signed by the studio to star in "Case 39." The horror-thriller was written by Ray Wright and is about a female social worker who has to protect a young girl from her ghoulish parents. Kevin Misher and Steve Golin are producing the project. The project is out to directors. 4/18
Insight Films has signed Matthew Perry in "Numb." The dark comedy was written by Harris Goldberg, who will also direct. The story revolves around a writer who suffers from an extreme personality disorder that forces him into constant isolation. He tries to overcome his crippling neurosis when he falls in love with a woman. Paul Schiff, Kirk Shaw and Mary Aloe are producing the project. 4/18
Brian Bird has been hired by Sony Pictures to pen the film version of T.D. Jakes’ soon-to-be-published novel "Not Easily Broken." The studio also recent signed a three-year production and distribution pact with Jakes’ company TDJ Enterprises. 4/18
GreeneStreet Films has signed Russell Crowe to star in the thriller "Tenderness." John Polson is directing the film about a cop who tries to help a violent, rebellious teen. 4/18
DreamWorks Pictures has cast Thandie Newton, Cuba Gooding Jr., Eddie Griffin and Terry Crews in “Norbit.” The comedy written by David Ronn and Jay Scherick toplines Eddie Murphy, and is about a pushover who is being pressured into marrying a shrew. Brian Robbins is directing, as well as producing with John Davis, Eddie Murphy and Mike Tollin. 4/18
Columbia Films Producciones Mexico/Sony Pictures Entertainment has begun lensing its first production, the comedy "Charm School." The film was written by Issa Lopez and is about an out-of-control teenage girl who is sent to a charm school in Mexico City by her politician father. Fernando Sarinana is directing and producing the project. Martha Higareda, Camila Sodi, and Blanca Guerra are starring. 4/18
April 17 2006
Sean O'Keefe and Will Staples have been hired by MTV Films / Paramount Pictures to write the feature version of the video game "Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure." The film will be about a young graffiti artist who becomes the target government agents whose secret he uncovers. The game was conceived by Marc Ecko, developed by the Collective and published by Atari. 4/17
Lucas Sussman has sold his pitch "The Hunt" to Universal Pictures for mid- against high-six figures. The supernatural-thriller is about a hunter who sets his sights on capturing the Devil. Darren Aronofsky and Eric Watson (Protozoa), and Dooma Wendschuh and Corey May (SekretAgent Prods.) are producing. 4/17
Jennifer Salt has been hired by Core Pictures to adapt the dramady book “Angus." The novel by Charles Siebert revolves around the ups-and-downs of a couple’s first year of marriage, as affected by their puppy. Dan Halsted and Dana Ford are producing. 4/17
April 13 2006
Geoff Rodkey has sold an untitled family comedy pitch to Walt Disney for a reported seven figures. David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman (Mandeville Films), and Brian Robbins and Mike Tollin (Tollin/Robbins) are producing the film about a father and son whose lives arc from disillusionment to affirmation. 4/13
New Line Cinema has hired Peter Segal to direct the film version of "Shazam!" Among the writers involved with scripting the DC Comics adaptation were William Goldman and Bryan Goluboff. The original printed series centered on a kid named Billy Batson who turned into the superhero Captain Marvel. Segal will also produce with Michael Ewing. 4/13
Walden Media has cast Emily Watson, Ben Chaplin and Alex Etel in their next fantasy venture “The Water Horse.” Based on a Dick King Smith novel by the same name, the story is about a boy in Scotland who finds an egg on the seashore that eventually hatches the titular (tee-hee) mythical creature. Robert Nelson Jacobs wrote the adaptation and Jay Russell is directing. 4/13
Warner Independent Pictures has signed Jeff Daniels, Jon Heder and Diane Keaton to star in the comedy “Mama’s Boy.” Hank Nelken wrote the script about a 30-something slacker whose comfort zone is invaded when a self-help counselor starts dating his mom. Tim Hamilton is directing. Heidi Santelli is producing, while Steve Carr and Polly Cohen are executive producing. 4/13
No Remorse Pictures has hired Douglas Buck to direct the contempo version of Brian DePalma’s "Sisters." Buck wrote the redo script with John Freitas. The film is about a reporter who discovers a young woman who is tormented by her own psychiatrist. 4/13
April 12 2006
Mark Gibson and Phil Halprin have sold their spec "Never Happened" to Universal Pictures. While the story is being kept secret, it’s reportedly a high-concept comedy. Raja Gosnell is going to direct the picture, while David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman (Mandeville Films), and Richard Suckle (R&R Prods.) are producing. Jon Gordon and Jeff Kirschenbaum are shepherding for the studio. 4/12
Warner Bros. has announced that Kurt Sutter will be directing "In-Crime," which he also wrote. The thriller is about cops who use unusual methods to catch crooks. Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Antoine Fuqua are producing the project.
Also from the WB, Kevin MacDonald has been hired to helm “28th Amendment,” written by Robert Orci and Alex Kurtzman. The thriller centers on a newly-inaugurated U.S. president who is told by a covert government organization that unless he does what they say, his ass will be capped like Kennedy. 4/12
Rogue Pictures has announced two projects: the first is an untitled horror thriller being written by Craig Gerber and directed by Victor Garcia. The film is about a woman who wakes up from a 15 year coma only to find herself in a haunted, abandoned hospital. This is like the time I woke up after a long night of drinking and found myself spooning with a midget (a female midget, 'cause a male midget would be gay).
The second Rogue film is “Welfare Queen," a biopic being written by Abdul Williams. Queen Latifah is producing and will probably star in the story of Dorothy Woods, a woman who made millions boondoggling the U.S welfare system. 4/12
Doug Cook and David Weisberg have sold their pitch "Greenbacks" to 20th Century Fox. Will Smith is attached to star and produce the thriller about an American who discovers a massive counterfeiting ring that threatens to destroy the world’s economy. 4/12
Keith Merryman and David A. Newman have been hired by Paramount Pictures to pen the romantic comedy “How to Lose It All.” Lynda Obst and Christine Peters are producing the sequel to "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days." 4/12
The breaking of the fourth seal: Iridium Entertainment has hired Fred Durst to direct “The Education of Charlie Banks.” The film is about a college student in Vassar who is unexpectedly visited by his old nemesis, a bully from his NY neighborhood. The script was written by Peter Elkoff and will star Jessie Eisenberg, Jason Ritter and Chris Marquette. 4/12
Dan Gordon has been hired by Mandalay Pictures to adapt the book “Mafia Cop: The Story Of An Honest Cop Whose Family Was The Mob,” by Lou Eppolito and Bob Drury. The autobiography is about the life of Eppolito, the son of a Mafia insider who became a decorated NY detective, and paints him a positive light. However, in an ironic - if not inevitable - twist, Eppolito was recently convicted of murder, conspiracy, money laundering, obstruction of justice and numerous drug charges. 4/12
April 11 2006
Well-deserved props to Chad Kultgen for selling his comedy spec "Burt Dickenson, Most Powerful Magician On the Planet Earth" to New Line Cinema. I’ve known Chad since he graduated from USC and he has definitely worked hard as a screenwriter. It’s nice to see perseverance and hard work pay off. Benderspink will produce the comedy about rival magicians in Las Vegas. 4/11
If you live in the L.A.-area, you may have seen those annoyingly cheesy, yet intriguing "Redline the movie" commercials in the morning. They feature fast Eurotrash sports cars and fast Eurotrash women, plus they definitely have a C-movie vibe about them. Anyway, it turns out that the producer Daniel Sadek (Chicago Pictures) is intending to carry out his threat, I mean, promise to make a “Redline” movie and he’s cast Nathan Phillips and Eddie Griffin in the auto-thriller, along with his Phantom, Lamborghini, Ferraris, McLarens, Porsches and other exotic cars. Stunt coordinator Andy Cheng is helming the film, which is supposed to have a $20+ million budget. I bet it’ll be, like, gone in sixty seconds. 4/11
Will Geiger has sold his spec "Elvis and Anabelle" to Goldcrest Films International and Univ. of Texas-affiliated film company Burnt Orange Prods. The dark romantic comedy is about a beauty queen* who falls in love with a mortician’s son. Max Minghella, Blake Lively, Mary Steenburgen and Keith Carradine are starring. Carolyn Pfeiffer, and Nick and John Quested are producing. *Update: She's dead. 4/11
Universal Pictures has hired David Dobkin to direct the film version of "R.I.P.D." Neal H. Moritz and Mike Richardson (Dark Horse) are producing. The comic book by Peter M. Lenkov is about a dead cop who simultaneously fights demonic spirits while hunting down the man who murdered him. Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi will tackle the writing duties, while Lenkov is executive producing. CAA and attorney Warren Dern represent Dobkin. UTA and attorney Alan Grodin represent the writers. Scott Bernstein and David Ortiz are shepherding the film for the studio. 4/11
Focus Features and Korea-based LJ Film are teaming up to produce the tentatively-titled "Julia Project." The biopic drama is about American Julia Mullock, who in 1959 married the Korean crown prince Kyu Lee. Seung-jae Lee and Sohee Kim are producing the mainly English-language feature. 4/11
Persistent Entertainment has announced production of "The Beautiful Ordinary," which was written and will be directed by newbie Jessica Manafort. The period comedy deals with a group of teens in 1999. Kaplan/Perrone represents the filmmaker. 4/11
The Broken Lizard comedy troupe has announced their next project titled “Ambulance Chaser.” The film will be about the foibles of two personal injury attorneys who will stop at nothing to beat each other. Jay Chandrasekhar is directing (natch), while non-Broken Lizard Jon Zack is writing the script. Warner Bros. is financing the project. 4/11
April 10 2006
Actor Will Arnett and Michael Schur have sold their pitch "The Ambassador" to DreamWorks/Paramount. The comedy will be written by the duo, with Arnet executive producing and starring. The story focuses on an uncouth aristocrat who becomes a U.S. diplomatic representative to a European country. Peter Principato and Paul Young are producing. Mark Sourian and Jeremy Kramer will shepherd for the studio.
Also in Paramount news, Shainee Gabel has been hired by the studio to write the film version of the upcoming romantic comedy tome "The Thing About Jane Spring" by Sharon Krum. Christine Peters is producing. 4/10
April 7 2006
Dane Cook has sold his pitch "Dad Knap" to Disney. The comedy focuses on a guy who kidnaps his work-obsessed father in order to spend quality time with him. Cook is set to star and produce. Mandeville Pictures is also producing. The project is out to writers. 4/7
Danny DeVito and Matthew Broderick have signed on to Regency Enterprises’ comedy "All Lit Up." The film, written by Don Rhymer, is about a feud between two odd couple neighbors – one annoying the other by decorating his house in ultra-bright Christmas lights. John Whitesell is directing.
In other Regency news, Alexander Aja has signed on to direct the production company’s "Into the Mirror." The screenplay was written by Jim Uhls and Joe Gangemi, with a polish by Kieran and Michelle Mulroney. The horror film is about a security guard who discovers that vengeful spirits inhabiting a department store’s mirrors are killing people. Aja is producing with Gregory Levasseur, as well as Marc Sternberg and Alexandra Milchan. 4/7
John Hamburg has sold his spec “The Troubleshooter” to Universal Pictures. The comedy-thriller is based on a story developed by Hamburg and Mark Shanahan, and is about a TV repairman who mistakenly becomes the target of a couple of hit-men. Hamburg is going to direct the film, as well as produce with Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner (Working Title). 4/7
April 6 2006
Warner Bros. has acquired the comedy "Brad Cutter Ruined My Life ... Again" written by Joe Nussbaum. The spec script is about a young businessman whose success is subverted by the arrival of the coolest guy from his high school. Nussbaum is directing the film, with Donald De Line producing.The studio has also acquired the movie rights to the horror tome "Heart-Shaped Box" by Joe Hill. Akiva Goldsman is attached to produce the story about a guy who buys a ghost via an internet auction site.Finally, the WB signed Phil Joanou to direct the remake of "Sharky's Machine." The original film, which was based on William Diehls book, was about a team of bad-ass cops who hunt down vicious criminals. The project will be produced by Basil Iwanyk (Thunder Road), while Mark Wahlberg and Stephen Levinson are executive producing. Walhberg might be starring. 4/6Nickelodeon Movies and the Collective have announced the production of a yet-to-be titled film starring Drake Bell and Josh Peck about a rich kid who suddenly finds himself poor, so he gets tutored by a friendly teen on how to live a middle class life. The script was written by Dan Schneider and Steve Molaro. Sam Maydew and Michael Goldman are producing, while Aaron Ray and Michael Green are executive producing. Julia Pistor is shepherding the project for Nickelodeon Movies. 4/6Aaron Eckhart has been cast in the comedy "Bill." Melissa Wallack wrote the script and will co-direct with her husband Bernie Goldmann. The story revolves around a man who falls from grace after discovering his wife has been having an affair then finds redemption by helping out a teen. 4/6Jarrett J. Krosoczka has sold the film rights to her childrens book "Punk Farm" to DreamWorks Animation. Jim Hecht will develop the story and write the script about farm animals that form a rock band so they can attend the "Livestock" music festival. Kevin Messick is executive producing. 4/6Amber Tamblyn is in final talks with New Line to star in "Normal Adolescent Behavior," which was written and will be directed by Beth Schachter. The dark comedy is about the sexual goings-on among wealthy teens - and Tamblyn gets naked! Just kidding -- I don't know that for a fact, but I'm hoping for some female nude-age. Brad Wyman is producing and Junction Films is funding the project. 4/6
April 5 2006
Universal Pictures has acquired three pitches. The first is a comedy by Chris Bowman titled "Loudermilk." The film will star Jon Heder, who will also produce with his brothers Dan and Doug (Greasy Entertainment). The second is also a comedy with a sci-fi twist titled "Zoo" by David Berenbaum, who developed the story from a treatment by Ehren Kruger. Kruger will produce the project with Daniel Bobker. The third is “Time of Their Lives,” a baseball pitch by Chris Murphey about a town saved by the sport. Scott Stuber and Mary Parent are producing.
In other Universal news, the studio has signed Nicolas Cage and 50 Cent to star in "The Dance." The biopic is about Billy "The Kid" Roth, the former boxing champ who taught prison inmates “the sweet science.” Neil Tolkin wrote the script. 4/5
Anna Paquin has joined Breckin Meyer in the romantic comedy "Blue State." Paquin will also produce alongside Kyle Irving, with Celine Rattray co-producing. Marshal Lewy wrote the script and will direct the film about a disillusioned Democrat who moves to Canada after George W. Bush is re-elected as president. 4/5
Antonio Banderas is joining the cast of the historical epic "Conquistador." The film is set during the 16th century and follows the clash between the Spaniard conqueror Hernan Cortes and the Aztec ruler Moctezuma. The script was written by Nicholas Kazan. 4/5
April 4 2006
Focus Features has picked up the film rights to the upcoming Random House book "The Husband" by Dean Koontz. The suspense drama is about the ordeal an ordinary salaryman goes through when he gets a call in the middle of the day and is told that unless he pays a $2 million ransom, his wife (who’s been kidnapped) will be killed. 4/4
O.N.C. Entertainment and Greene Street Films have cast Seann William Scott to star in "Gary the Tennis Coach." Scott will also produce the indie comedy about a janitor who transforms a rag tag group of high school losers into a top notch tennis team. The script was written by Andy Stock and Rick Stempson. 4/4
Regency Enterprises has cast Jamie Bell, Tom Sturridge and Teresa Palmer in the sci-fi actioner “Jumper.” Doug Liman is directing the film based on Steven Gould’s novel about a teen who discovers that he can teleport and uses his ability to track down the man who he believes killed his mother, while at the same time evading U.S. federal agents. Simon Kinberg, David Goyer and Jim Uhls all participated in writing the script. 4/4
Keira Knightley and James McAvoy have been cast in "Atonement" by Working Title. Based on the book by Ian McEwan and adapted for the screen by Christopher Hampton, the story is about the unbreakable bond between a male college student who’s been accused of raping a teenage girl and the woman who loves him. Joe Wright is directing the film. 4/4
Jared Bush has sold his spec romantic comedy "Save the Date" to New Line Cinema. The film focuses on a wedding-obsessed woman who has planned the perfect nuptials, but lacks a groom on the date she has set. Thus, she goes about tricking a guy into marrying her without letting him know that he is only a small part of her entire plan. Chris Bender and JC Spink are producing. 4/4
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