May 31 2006

Ben Zook has sold his pitch “Jack and Jill” to Columbia Pictures for $350,000 against $1 million. The comedy’s plot is being kept close to the vest. Adam Sandler and Jack Giarraputo (Happy Madison) are producing the project for the Culver City studio, along with Todd Garner (Broken Road Prods.) and Zook’s manager Bettina Sofia Viviano (Viviano-Feldman Entertainment). Sandler might also top-line the film. Attorney Karl Austen represents the writer in addition to Viviano. Endeavor and Brillstein-Grey represent Sandler. 5/31

Newbie Graham Gordy and Mike Myers are in final talks to co-write an untitled comedy for Paramount Pictures. Myers will also star and produce the project about a relationship counselor named Pitka (a character the thesp workshopped for a year in small NY City theaters – like he did with Austin Powers). Alli Shearmur will oversee the film at the Melrose studio. CAA represents Myers and Gordy. 5/31

Allan Loeb has been hired by Warner Bros. to write the American version of the German film “Men.” The original is a comedy about a cuckolded man who moves in with his wife’s lover. Todd Phillips is attached to direct, with Paul Weinstein (Spring Creek) producing. 5/31

David Berenbaum has sold his spec "Spanky Johnson: Monster Hunter" to Spyglass Entertainment for a reported seven figures. Dan Folger is attached to star in the comedy about a guy who – when he was a kid - pretended that his absentee father hunted monster… but as an adult he finds out that his dad’s occupation might be as fictitious as he thought. Roger Birnbaum, Gary BarberGary Barber and Jonathan Glickman are producing, while Derek Evans and Fogler will executive produce. 5/31

David Wain and Ken Marino have sold their spec “The Ten” to City Lights Pictures and MEGA Films. The comedy spoofs the Ten Commandments. Wain will direct the film, which has Paul Rudd, Amanda Peet, Jessica Alba, Ken Marino, Justin Theroux and Adam Brody starring. Marino, Rudd and Wain are producing, along with Jonathan Stern and Morris Levy. Danny Fisher and Michael Almog are executive producing. 5/31

May 30 2006

Jill Soloway has been hired by Paramount Pictures to adapt Alexandra Robbins' nonfiction, investigative book “Pledged.” Angela Robinson will helm the project that takes a look at modern day sorority life. Lorne Michaels and John Goldwyn are producing, along with Sarah Colleton. 5/30

Broken Lizard’s Paul Soter and Lee Ellenberg have sold their spec “Take My Wife” to Warner Bros. Jay Chandrasekhar will direct the comedy about a normal guy who inadvertently swaps wives with a Hollywood actor. Hillary* ensues. Chandrasekhar, Soter, Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme and Eric Stolhanske are all producing. 5/30

* Script Radar meant "hilarity" -- and sends its apologies to Hillary, whoever she is.

Uma Thurman has signed on to top-line “The Accidental Husband” for the Yari Film Group. Mimi Hare and Clare Naylor, as well as Kristen Buckley and Brian Regan all participated in writing the romantic comedy about a woman who gets engaged, but discovers that she unknowingly got married already – so she tracks down her “mystery” husband, falling in love with the "idea of him" with every lead she follows. Griffin Dunne is in talks to direct. Bob Yari is financing, with Jennifer and Suzanne Todd, and Jason Blum producing. Graham King is executive producing. 5/30

Michael Keaton has been cast in “Reaper” by Circle of Confusion and Media 8. The noir- thriller with a supernatural twist written by Gary Whitta is about a private investigator who enters a world in which right and wrong, and life and death are blurred after he is hired by a mysterious and beautiful woman. Scott Kalvert is directing, while David Alpert, Sammy Lee and Lawrence Mattis are producing. 5/30

Viggo Mortensen is joining Jason Isaacs, Gemma Jones, Anastasia Hille, Ruth Gemmell, Mark Strong and Steven Elder in “Good.” Based on C.P. Taylor’s stage play and adapted for the screen by John Wrathall, the drama is about a German academic who, despite his intellect and sense of morality, gets seduced by Nazi propaganda. Vicente Amorin is directing, with Sarah Boote, Billy Dietrich and Miriam Segal producing. 5/30

Ethan Hawke, Marissa Tomei and Albert Finney round out the cast of “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead,” along with Joey Adams, Patricia Arquette, Sean Astin and Camryn Manheim. The thriller written by Austin Chick, Sidney Lumet and Kelly Masterson is about two brothers who plot to rob their parents’ jewelry shop, but as best laid plans often go, everything goes awry. Sidney Lumet will direct. Michael Cerenzie and Brian Linse are producing. 5/30

May 26 2006

Jeff Dixon has sold his spec “Buried” to Maverick Films. The horror-thriller is about “urban explorers” – youth who explore abandoned metropolitan structures like subway tunnels, buildings, etc. – who stumble on WWII medical experiments that had gone terribly awry. Death ensues. Mark Morgan, Guy Oseary and Brent Emery are producing. 5/26

David Ross has set up his project “The Babysitters” with O.D.D. Entertainment and Rebel Films. Ross wrote and will helm the (sure-to-be controversial) drama about a teen girl babysitting group that turns into a prostitution ring.* John Leguizamo, Cynthia Nixon, Katherine Waterston, Denis O'Hare and Andy Comeau are all starring. Producers are Cora Olson, Jason Dubin and Jennifer Dubin, as well as Leguizamo, Kathy DeMarco and Laura Lynn Knight. 5/26

*Script Radar feels dirty just reporting this and is going to take a shower now – using bleach as an astringent.

Auteur Ridha Behi has resumed production on “Brando and Brando.” The story is about a Tunisian youth who travels to the U.S. to fulfill his lifelong dream of meeting acting legend Marlon Brando. The drama was half-completed, but halted in 2004 when Marlon Brando died. The actor was not only top-lining the film, but also collaborated with Behi on the script and financed the project. Also funding the project are Alva Films, Rotana and Image Resource. Christopher Walken, Khaled Abou Naja and Hend Sabri also star. 5/26

Olivier Martinez and Leonor Watling have been cast in an English-language film version of the French masterpiece tome "Belle du Seigneur" by Albert Cohen. Newbie Glenio Bonder is writing and directing the tragicomic romance that takes place in 1930s Geneva about the love between the son of a Zionist and a Protestant woman as both deal with the swelling tide of anti-Semitism. Producing the project are Simon Channing-Williams and Gail Egan (Pot Boiler), Thierry de Navacelle (TNVO), Alfred Huermer (Integral), Jean Marc Henchot (JMH), and Daniel Marquet (Groupe 1). 5/26

Pathe, BIM Distribuzione and Zoetrope have announced that Francis Ford Coppola has completed principal production on his indie-budget thriller “Youth Without Youth.” The film adaptation was penned by Coppola from a Romanian magical-realism novella by Mircea Eliade set in 1930s Bucharest about a university professor who is struck by lightning and becomes young again – but then he starts receiving psychic messages from the supernatural realm. Bruno Ganz, Tim Roth, Alexandra Maria Lara, and Marcel Iures all star in the film. Coppola also produced, with Fred Roos and Anahid Nazarian excutive producing. 5/26

Happy Memorial Day, homies! Don't forget to squeeze in a moment of reflection for the brave men and women who made the "ultimate sacrifice" so we can enjoy beers and b-b-q this weekend...

May 25 2006

Best. News. Ever. Auteur Whit Stillman* is back from his semi-voluntary eight-year hiatus, hired to direct “Little Green Men” for Golconda Films. The political satire written by Sean Bates and Gregory Mackenzie is about a talk-show host who is abducted by aliens after an expose about N.A.S.A. The project is being produced by Ed Pressman, Brett Walsh and Mackenzie, with Alessandro Camon and Charles Finch executive producing. Can’t bloody wait. 5/25

*Script Radar had an encounter with Stillman once. Guess what he was wearing – you got it – standard East Hampton garb of blue blazer with brass buttons, blue oxford button-down, and khakis. Classic.

Jane Campion has set up her project “Bright Star” at Pathe Entertainment. Campion is writing and will direct the period drama about the romance between 19th century poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne. 5/25

Craig Brewer has set up “Maggie Lynn” at Paramount. He will write and direct the drama about a woman who expresses the heartbreak she suffered after her husband left her by singing country music with her brother. Stehpanie Allain and John Singleton are producing. 5/25

Copperheart Entertainment has acquired the film rights to Anne McCaffrey’s extensive book series "The Dragonriders of Pern." The Hugo award-winning sci-fi/fantasy novels take place in a world in which dragons and humans communicate telepathically. 5/25

Lionsgate has picked up domestic and U.K. distribution rights to “Slow Burn.” The thriller written and directed by Wayne Beach is about a white district attorney whose political career is compromised when his female assistant D.A. tells him that she killed a man, but in self-defense. Things get worse when her story is contradicted by black eyewitnesses. Ray Liotta, LL Cool J, Mekhi Phifer, Jolene Blalock, Taye Diggs and Chiwetel Ejiofor all star. The project was produced by Fisher Stevens, Sidney Kimmel and Bonnie Timmermann. 5/25

Sony Picture Classics has acquired domestic distribution rights to “Angel-A.” The romantic comedy written and directed by Luc Besson is about a bumbling con-artist who is about to commit suicide when his luck changes after he saves the life of a beautiful young woman who helps him solve his loan shark problems. The film stars Jamel Debbouze, Rie Rasmussen, Gilbert Melki, and Serge Riaboukine. Besson produced the project, which was financed by EuropaCorp label, TF1 Films, Apipoulai, and Canal Plus. 5/25

Samuel Goldwyn, Roadside Attractions and The Weinstein Co. have picked up North American distribution rights to the latest (11th) installment of “Lassie.” Based on Eric Knight’s classic children’s book series, this version written and directed by Charles Sturridge takes place in England during WWII when the heroic Collie is sold by the Carraclough family to a Scottish duke, but manages to triumph over adversity and find his way home to London. The film stars Peter O’Toole, Samantha Morton, Peter Dinklage, Steve Pemberton, John Lynch, Jemma Redgrave and Jonathan Mason. The project was produced by Sturridge, along with Francesca Barra and Ed Guiney. 5/25

May 24 2006

In New Line Cinema news: First, Jeff Stockwell has been hired to pen the film version of the children’s book "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane" by Kate DiCamillo. The fantasy adventure is about a little girl whose conceited porcelain toy rabbit has an adventure and learns the true meaning of love. David Blackman and Wendy Finerman are producing the project. Meredith Finn and Mark Kaufman are shepherding the project for the studio.

Second, the Robertson Blvd. studio has acquired overseas and domestic distribution rights to “Amusement.” The horror-thriller film written by Jake Wade Wall is about three women who are terrorized by a psycho from the past. John Simpson will direct, while Bob Berny will produce. 5/24

In Warner Bros. news: First, Jamie Linden has been hired by the Burbank studio to write the biopic of Olympic skier Bill Johnson, partially basing the script on the book “Ski to Die” by Jennifer Woodlief. The drama chronicles Johnson’s rise as a gold medalist in 1984 Sarajevo, then downfall and eventual comeback. Basil Iwanyk is producing.

Second, Legendary Pictures is partnering with the WB to bring the 1970s TV show “Kung Fu” to the silver screen. Series creator Ed Spielman and original series writer Howard Friedlander have written a script. The show revolved around a Shaolin monk named Kwai Chang Caine who “walked the Earth” after fleeing China. 5/24

Spike Lee continues the next chapter of his creative career by signing on to rewrite “Selling Time” for 20th Century Fox. The supernatural thriller was originally written by Dan McDermott and is about a guy who has the ability to switch lives with others. John Davis and Jennifer Klein are producing. 5/24

Christian Bale, Julianne Moore, Richard Gere, Cate Blanchett, Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams have all signed on to star in “I’m Not There” for Killer Films. The Bob Dylan biopic was written by Todd Haynes and Oren Moverman. Haynes will direct. Christine Vachon and Jeff Rosen are producing. CAA represents Ledger. Gersh represents Williams. 5/24

Ang Lee has signed on to helm the Chinese-language thriller “Lust, Caution” for Focus Features. Based on a short story by Eileen Chang and written for the screen by Wang Hui-Ling, the espionage film takes place in Shang Hai during World War II. Lee will produce with Bill Kong, while James Schamus will executive produce. 5/24

May 23 2006

Akiva Goldsman has been hired to adapt Dan Brown’s book “Angels & Demons” by Sony – however the original “Da Vinci Code” team of Ron Howard, Tom Hanks, John Calley and Brian Grazer have not been assembled yet (though they all have first dibs on the project). The prequel book is about our favorite Harvard symbol expert investigating a murder, then discovering a plot by the secret society known as the Illuminati to terrorize the Vatican and the pope. 5/23

Writer-director Davis Guggenheim has set up his project “Gracie” with Picturehouse. The biopic is based on his wife actor Elizabeth Shue’s experience as a 16-year old, when her family fought for her right to play in the boy’s Varsity soccer team after her brother died suddenly. Siblings Elizabeth and Andrew Shue are in the cast and will produce along with Guggenheim, and Lemore Sylvan (Elevation Filmworks). Graham King (IEG) will executive produce. Also in the film is Carly Schroeder. 5/23

The Weinstein Co. has acquired the U.S./Canada, Australian and New Zealand distribution rights for "Chronicle of Escape" (“Cronica de una Fuga”). The drama thriller is based on Claudio Tamburrini’s book and written for the screen by director Adrian Caetano, Esteban Student and Tamburrini. The true story is about an Argentinean soccer player and other young men who were arrested and tortured by the country’s fascist regime, but eventually escaped against tremendous odds. Oscar Kramer, Elisa Sanchez, Victoria Murphy, Ricardo Pena and Hugo Sigman all served as producers of the project. 5/23

Micheal Shane and Anthony Romano have been hired by India’s telecom giant Mcorp Global to produce a feature film version of the book “Old Path White Clouds” by Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh. The epic tale is about the life of Buddha. Dr. Bhupendra Kumar Modi will finance the project. 5/23

Hilary Swank has been tapped to star in "P.S. I Love You" by Alcon Entertainment. Based on a novel by Cecilia Ahern and written for the screen by Richard LaGravenese and Steve Rodgers, the story is about a melancholy widow who receives letters sent by her deceased husband, causing her to take the same adventures he took when he was alive. LaGravenese is directing as well. Broderick Johnson, Andrew Kosove, Molly Smith and Wendy Finerman are producing the project. Lisa Zupan and John H. Starke are executive producing. 5/23

Jude Law, Natalie Portman, Rachel Weisz and Norah Jones have all signed on to top-line “My Blueberry Nights” for StudioCanal, Jet Tone Films and Lou Yi Limited. Auteur Wong Kar Wai will write and direct the project about a young woman who meets quirky people on her journey across the U.S. to find the love's true meaning. The project is being produced by Wong, Jean Louis Piel, Jacky Pang and Wang Wei. 5/23

May 22 2006 - Part Deux

Lindsay Lohan is joining Annette Bening and Sean Bean in the film version of Oscar Wilde’s play "A Woman of No Importance." Howard Himelstein is writing the comedy adaptation about a young man who suddenly discovers that his new boss not left his mother at the alter years ago – but is also his biological father! Janusz Kaminski is directing, with Donald Zuckerman, Sarah Radclyffe and Himelstein producing. Kirk D'Amico (Myriad Pictures) is executive producing. 5/22

Lynne Ramsay and Rob Festinger have been hired by BBC Films to write the film version of the novel "We Need to Talk about Kevin" by Lionel Shriver. The drama-thriller is set in NY and is about a young mother whose destructive teenage son not only breaks up her marriage, but also kills some of his classmates using a crossbow. 5/22

Sergio Sanchez has been hired by the Mexican production company Tequilla Gang to co-write “3993” with Guillermo Del Toro. The horror film set during the Spanish Civil War is the third installment of the trilogy that includes “The Devil’s Backbone” and “Pan’s Labyrinth,” and will continue to explore the previous film’s themes of the past haunting the present. 5/22

ThinkFilm will handle U.S. distribution of “Keeping Mum.” Niall Johnson and Richard Russo wrote the British comedy about a muddle-headed pastor who doesn’t realize his kids are causing havoc and his wife is having a tryst with a local golf instructor – that is, until the arrival of the new housekeeper. Johnson directed the film, which stars Rowan Atkinson, Kristin Scott Thomas, Maggie Smith, Emilia Fox, Tamsin Egerton, Toby Parkes and Patrick Swayze. Julia Palau and Matthew Payne (Tusk Prods.) produced the project. 5/22

Writer-director Jeremy Brock’s film "Driving Lessons" has been set up for U.S. distribution with Sony Picture Classics. The semi-autobiographic comedy is a coming-of-age tale about an aspiring teen poet who takes a temporary job with a former film/stage diva who takes him on a whirlwind adventure in London and Scotland. Julie Walters, Rupert Grint and Laura Linney all star. Julia Chasman (RubberTreePlant) produced. Edward R. Pressman and Alessandro Camon executive produced, while Alexandra Ferguson served as co-producer. 5/22

Lionsgate has acquired U.S./Canadian distribution rights to "Trade." The script was written by Jose Rivera and is based on a NY Times Magazine piece about sex-trafficking. The drama-thriller is about a Texas cop and a young Polish guy who team-up to find their female kin, who have been abducted and forced into prostitution. Kevin Kline, Paulian Gaitan, Alicja Bachleda and Cesar Ramos are all starring. Marco Kreuzpaintner is helming the project, which Roland Emmerich and Rosilyn Heller are producing. 5/22

Stephen Dillane is joining Julianne Moore in “Savage Grace.” The drama based on the book by Stephen Aronson and Natalie Robins was adapted for the screen by Howard Rodman, and is about the 1972 murder of American Barbara Baekeland, who was living in London at the time. Tom Kalin is helming the project, which is being produced by Pamela Koffler and Christine Vachon. John Wells is executive producing. 5/22

May 22 2006 - Part Une

Adam Sussman has sold his horror spec “Anvil” to Gold Circle Films. The story focuses on a group of young people as they are stranded in a Kansas town in the middle of nowhere populated by spooky people. Daniel Calparsoro is directing the project, which is being produced by Peter Safran and Paul Brooks. 5/22

First Look Studios has acquired two films. The first is “Special,” which the company will distribute worldwide. Written and directed by Hal Haberman and Jeremy Passmore, the comedy is about a meter maid who takes a mind-altering drug that convinces him that he has gained superheroic powers. Michael Rappaport star in the film. Frank Mele and Edward Parks produced the project.

Second, First Look has nabbed the domestic rights to "Johnny Was," an action-thriller written Brendan Folley about an Irishman who is dragged back into the life of violence he was trying to escape. The film was directed by Mark Hammond and stars Vinnie Jones and Patrick Bergin. The project was produced by Ira Besserman, Patrick FitzSymons, Lars Hermann, Paul Largan, Tom Maguire and Foley. 5/22

MGM has nabbed all distribution rights to “Home of the Brave.” The drama was written by Mark Friedman, based on a concept by Friedman and the film’s director Irwin Winker. The story is about American soldiers coming home from the Iraq war. Samuel L. Jackson, Jessica Biel and Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson are all starring. Rob Cowan, Winkler, George Furla and Avi Lerner produced the project. Nu Image/Millennium Films provided financing. 5/22

Paul Giamatti is joining Tom Papa, Sheri Moon Zombie, and Brian Posehn in providing voice talent in "Rob Zombie Presents the Haunted World of El Superbeasto" for IDT Entertainment. The 2-D animated film based on the Spookshow Intl. comic book of the same name was created by Rob Zombie, and is about a Mexican wrestler who gets into a battle with Dr. Satan in Monsterland. The script was written by Mr. Lawrence (a.k.a. Doug Lawrence) and Papa, from a story by Zombie. Lawrence is also directing. Tom Klein is producing, while Zombie is executive producing. 5/22

Todd Solondz’s next project “The New Todd Solondz Film" has been set up with Fortissimo Films. The dark dramedy will explore the lives of the characters who populate Solondz’s previous films “Happiness” and “Welcome to the Dollhouse.” Ted Hope, Mike Ryan and Derrick Tseng are producing, while Michael J. Werner and Wouter Barendrecht will executive produce. 5/22

Sean Mathias and Myer Taub have been hired to adapt Ann Harries’ novel “Manly Pursuits” by Katselas Film. Retitled “The Colossus,” the fictionalized thriller based on true events is set in South Africa during the Boer Wars and is about a British ornithologist hired by a cruel colonist, but falls in love with his employer’s enemy – a white female who sides with the native rebels. Colin Firth, Rachel Weisz, Ian McKellen and Susan Sarandon are top-lining the project, which is being directed by Mathias. Lisa Katselas is producing. 5/22

More from Cannes soon...

May 19 2006

Jim Piddock has sold his pitch “Tooth Fairy” to 20th Century Fox for $1 million - $2 million. The comedy is about a macho guy who finds himself having to do the duties of the titular mythical being, outfit and all. Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel are writing the script. Jason Blum is producing. 5/19

Abdi Nazemian and Micah Schraft have been hired to adapt "Vernon God Little" by Big Beach Films and FilmFour. Based on the book by DBC Pierre, the comedy is set in Texas and is about a 15-year old boy who is blamed for a high school killing. Pawel Pawlikowski is directing. Mike White and Jack Black are producing, along with Aimee Peyronnet and Tanya Seghatchian. 5/19

Jeff Bridges has been cast in “A Dog Year” by HBO Films. The film based on Jon Katz’s memoirs and written for the screen by George LaVoo is about a man whose midlife crisis is worsened when he gets a dog that’s insane. LaVoo is directing the project, with Liz Mann (Duopoly) producing. 5/19

Bill Paxton has signed on to top-line in the film version of Walker Percy’s novel "The Second Coming." The book was adapted for the screen by Donal Logue and Jeff Kitchen and is a drama about an extremely depressed widower who finds salvation when he meets and falls in love with a young woman who has escaped from an insane asylum. Logue will helm and produce. Orian Williams, Elie Samaha and Markus Barmettler are also producing. 5/19

Brittany Murphy is joining Toshiyuki Nishida in “The Ramen Girl” for Media 8 Entertainment. The script written by Becca Topol is about an American woman stranded in Tokyo who decides to train in the ancient Japanese culinary art of ramen-making from an overbearing master. Robert Allan Ackerman is directing, as well as producing along with Murphy. 5/19

Scarlett Johansson will star in "Brilliant" for Millennium Films and Emmett/Furla Films. The romantic action film written by Gillian Gorfil and Elizabeth Shorten from an idea conceived by Gorfil and Nicholas Lorentz is about a female jewel thief and conman whose team-up to commit an elaborate caper is compromised when they start to fall for each other. Avi Lerner, Randall Emmett, Melanie Johansson and Gorfil are producing, while Boaz Davidson, George Furla, Danny Dimbort and John Thompson are executive producing. 5/19

Freddy Rodriguez, Rose McGowan, Marley Shelton, Michael Biehn, Jeff Fahey, Michael Parks, Stacy Ferguson and Josh Brolin have all been cast in "Planet Terror" by The Weinstein Co./Dimension Films. The 60-minute film is Robert Rodriguez’s contribution to “Grind House,” his diptych collaboration with Quentin Tarantino. Tarantino’s half is called “Death Proof” – and both films are homages to 70s exploitation films and Script Radar believes both involve hot rods, sex and lots of blood (and probably a Theremin). 5/19

Aleksia Landeau, Daniel Bruhl, Adam Goldberg are joining Julie Delpy in "Deux Jours -- Two Days." The romantic comedy written and to be directed by Delpy is about an American guy whose world is turn upside down when he visits his French girlfriend’s native haunts and gets the impression that she has had sex with most of Paris’ male population. Christophe Mazoudier (Polaris) and Delpy are producing, with 3L Filmproduktion financing. 5/19

Writer-director Daniel Myrick has set up his horror project “The Objective” at Darclight Films and JAZ Films. The action/horror film is about a covert military unit in Afghanistan that encounters an ancient evil while on a mission. Jeremy Wall and Zev Guber are producing. 5/19

Wolfe Releasing and Covington USA have acquired North American distribution right to the drama "Three Needles." Written and directed by Thom Fitzgerald, the life-affirming film is a triptych about AIDS involving a South African nun, a Chinese man, and an American mother. Shawn Ashmore, Stockard Channing, Olympia Dukakis, Lucy Liu, Chloe Sevigny and Sandra Oh all star. Fitzgerald also produced, along with Bigfoot Entertainment. 5/19

It's Friday, bitches. Go out and play...

May 18 2006

Guillermo Del Toro has been hired to adapt and direct “The Witches” by Warner Bros. Based on Roald Dahl’s book, the fantasy film is about an orphaned young boy who is sent to live with his grandmother, who is a mistress of magical arts. Alfonso Cuaron is producing the project. 5/18

In Vin Diesel news: First, Ron Bass and Jen Smolka have sold a pitch to Touchstone Pictures titled “Player’s Rules” which Diesel has agreed to star in and to produce. The romantic comedy is another take on the Battle of the Sexes.

Second, the star has also signed on to “Black Water Transit,” which is being financed by Capitol Films. The action-thriller written by Doug Richardson is about a collision between cops, crooks and attorneys as they pursue a shipment of illegal firearms. Also top-lining are Kevin Bacon, James Franco and Sophie Okonedo. Christopher Eberts, Kia Jam and Arnold Rifkin are producing. 5/18

Will Forte and Will Arnett are joining Chi McBride, Malin Akerman and Kristin Wiig in the comedy "Brothers Solomon." Written and to be directed by Bob Odenkirk, the film is about two brothers who suck at dating, but strive to fulfill their father’s dying wish to have grandchild. Tom Werner and Berenson are producing for Revolution Studios and Screen Gems. 5/18

GreenStreet Films Intl. has acquired the foreign distribution rights to “Barry Munday.” Based on Frank Turner Hollon’s novel “Life is a Strange Place,“ the comedy adapted by Chris D’Arienzo is about a womanizer who one day discovers that not only has been hit with a paternity suit, but he’s also suddenly impotent. D’Arienzo is also directing. The cast includes Luke Wilson, Emily Mortimer, Colin Hanks and Jennifer Coolidge. The project is being produced by Marcos Siega, Matt Weaver and Carl Levin, while Rosanne Korenberg is executive producing. 5/18

John Malkovich has signed on to star in “Disgrace” for Wild Strawberries Films. The drama based on a J.M. Coetzee novel and adapted for the screen by Anna Maria Monticelli is about the tribulations an exiled poetry professor faces with his lover in the upheaval of post-Apartheid South Africa. Steve Jacobs is directing the film. The project is being produced by Monticelli and Emile Sherman, with Julio DePietro and Wouter Barendrecht executive producing. 5/18

David Strathairn will top-line “Challenger” for Media 8 and Code Entertainment. Written by Nicole Perlman, the drama revolves around the investigation of the tragic space shuttle accident by Nobel winning scientist Richard Feynman. Philip Kaufman is directing. Carol Baum, Rick Berg and Peter Kaufman are producing the project. 5/18

Mike Johnson has been hired to direct "The Tale of Despereaux" by Universal Pictures. Based on Kate DiCamillo’s children’s book and adapted for the screen by Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi, the animated tale is about the adventures experienced by a well-red mouse, a servant girl, a neurotic rat and a princess. Gary Ross and Allison Thomas (Larger than Life) are producing. 5/18

Dean Devlin has hired himself to direct “Ghosting,” which he is also producing. The horror film penned by Jessie Alexander is kinda like “Flatliners” and is about investigators who temporarily stop each other’s hearts in order to travel between the corporeal and the spirit world. Kearie Peak and Marc Roskin are also producing. 5/18

Abel Ferrara has set up his project “The Last Crew” at Virtual Films and Wild Bunch. The drama will revolve around the criminal underworld of 1970s New York. Michael Pitt is starring. Fernando Sulichin, Chris Hanley, Jordan Gertner and Vincent Maraval are producing, while Jean Cazes is executive producing. 5/18

May 17 2006 - Part Troix

Ryan Gosling has been cast in two projects. The first is with Tom Waits in the drama "The Good Heart" by Icelandic production company Zik Zak. Written and directed by Dagur Kari, the film is about a young homeless guy who is granted salvation by a bar owner who trains the vagabond to eventually take over the establishment. Skuli Fr. Malmquist and Thor Sigurjonsson will produce, while Joni Sighvatsson is executive producing.

The second Gosling venture is "Lars and the Real Girl" for Sidney Kimmel Entertainment. Written by Nancy Oliver and directed by Craig Gillespie, the romantic comedy is about a weird guy who creates a relationship with life-like doll he buys on the internet. Sidney Kimmel, John Cameron and Sarah Aubrey are producing, while William Horberg and Bruce Toll will executive produce. 5/17

Ken Watanabe and Kate Hudson have signed on to top-line “A Dream of Red Mansions” by Lotus Pictures and Tusk Prods. The drama was written by Donald Martin and is based on an unlikely, but true romance between an American female reporter who falls in love with a Chinese revolutionary in 1949. Bruce Beresford is directing. Michele Berk, Julia Palau and Anna Chi are producing the project. Alan Ladd Jr. and Matthew Payne are executive producing. 5/17

First Independent Pictures and HBO Video have acquired distribution rights to "Mini's First Time." The dark comedy written and directed by Nick Guthe is a twisted tale about a disturbed teen who connives with her step-father/lover to have her mother committed to an insane asylum. The movie stars Nikki Reed, Alec BaldwinAlec Baldwin, Luke Wilson, Jeff Goldblum, Carrie-Anne Moss, Rick Fox Rick Fox and Svetlana Metkina. Edward Bass, Evan Astrowsky, Kevin Spacey and Dana Brunetti all produced the project, while Michel Litvak, Gary Michael Walters and Dan Grodnik executive produced. 5/17

That's all, folks!

May 17 2006 - Part Deux

Laurence Coriat has sold his spec “Genova” to FilmFour. Michael Winterbottom is directing the coming-of-age drama about a widower who takes his two daughters to Italy. 5/17

Icon has acquired the distribution rights to the Edith Piaf biopic "La Vie en Rose." Olivier Dahan and Isabelle Sobelman co-wrote the screenplay which follows the French torch singer’s rise from Paris’ working class to international superstardom. Dahan directed the project, while Alain Goldman (Legende) produced. 5/17

Clive Barker has sold the film rights to his short story "Midnight Meat Train" to Lakeshore Entertainment and Lionsgate. The horror film was adapted as a screenplay by Jeff Buhler, and is about a NY photojournalist who discovers that a subway serial killer has supernatural origins. Patrick Tatopoulos is directing. 5/17

Warren Zide is partnering with Seven Arts Intl. to produce two projects. The first is a comedy "Pool Boy" written by Julie O’Hara about a teen boy who becomes a pimp to a mansion full of hot girls. The second is a horror film "Autopsy" written by Adam Redmond Gierasch, Jace Anderson and E.L. Katz, and is about a group of friends who suffer a living nightmare in a haunted hospital. Gierasch is directing. Jessica Horowitz is producing with Zide. 5/17

Tony Shalhoub has been cast in "AmericanEast" by Distant Horizon. The drama written by Sayed Badreya and Hesham Issawi examines the lives endured by Arab-Americans today. Issawi is also directing, while Badreya will also star. Shalhoulb is producing with Anant Singh and Brian Cox, as well as Mohannad Malas and Ahmad Zahra (Tala Corp.). 5/17

Productionzone has sold the distribution rights of the gay-themed comedy "The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green" to Here! Films. Based on the comic strip by Eric Orner, the script written by David Vernon and directed by George Bamber is about the romantic entanglement between a 26-year old and a recently “out” professional athlete. Tod Abrams executive produced the project, while Todd Murata and Steve Brooksbank produced. 5/17

Christian Carion has been hired to direct "Bonjour Farewell" by Nord Ouest Prods. and Le Bureau. The Cold War-era thriller was written by newbie Eric Raynaud and is about the “Farewell Dossier,” a document put together by KGB double agent Col. Vladimir Vetrov (codename “Farewell”) that outlined a Soviet plot to steal NATO military plans and procedures. French intelligence slipped the document to the CIA and helped bring about the end of the Communist government. Christophe Rossignon and Bertrand Faivre are producing. 5/17

More soon...

May 17 2006 - Part Une

There's so much bloody news, Script Radar can only post part of it right now (bloody Cannes!)...

Catherine Keener and Ellen Page have been cast in "An American Crime" by First Look Studios. Written by Tommy O'Haver and Irene Turner, the true story set in 1965 Indianapolis is a harrowing tale of a woman named Gertrude Baniszewski who eventually killed her 16-year old foster daughter by beating her, getting neighborhood kids to torture her, and by burning her with lit cigarettes and matches. O’Haver is directing the drama. Henry Winterstern and Kevin Turen are producing, along with Christine Vachon, Katie Roumel and Jocelyn Hayes-Simpson. Pam Koffler and John Wells are executive producing. Gersh represents Keener. WMA and Gary Goddard Agency represent Page. WMA represents O'Haver. 5/17

Tom Ropelewski and Evan Katz have sold their action spec "Game Boys" to Walt Disney Pictures. Jerry Bruckheimer will produce the film about a group of nerds hired by Homeland Security to battle video game creatures that have come to life. 5/17

Steve Kriozere has been hired by Mindfire Entertainment to write a feature film version of the Eidos video game "Fear Effect." Stanley Tong will direct the project about a group of soldiers-of-fortunes who have to battle demons to rescue a billionaire’s kidnapped daughter. Mark A. Altman, Mark Gottwald, and Chuck Speed are producing. 5/17

Adam Alleca has sold his spec “Standoff” to Echo Lake. Alleca will also direct the thriller about a war veteran who has to protect a 10-year old girl who has witnessed a murder. 5/17

Rob Lowe has signed on to star in "Stir of Echoes: The Dead Speak" for Lionsgate. Ernie Barbaresh wrote the horror sequel that involves an Iraq War vet who sees dead people and has to solve a murder. Barbaresh is also directing the project. 5/17

William H Macy has been cast in “House Of Re-Animator.” The sequel will reunite director Stuart Gordon, writer Dennis Paoli, actor Jeffrey Combs, and producer Stuart Gordon and will be about Dr. Herbert West using his zombie serum to bring a dying US president back to life. Chaos and perversion ensue. 5/17

Focus Features has acquired the distribution rights of “Coraline,” which is being produced by Phil Knight (Laika Entertainment). Based on a Neil Gaiman book, the stop-motion animated film was written and is being directed by Henry Selick, and is about a little girl who discovers a frightening alternate universe of her life. Dakota Fanning has been cast as voice talent. 5/17

Jace Anderson and Adam Gierasch have been hired by Medusa Films to co-write "The Mother of Tears" with horror-meister Dario Argenta. Set in Rome, the film is about – what else? – witches and suicide. 5/17

The rest soon. I hope.

May 16 2006

Slow news day, peeps...

John Doolittle has been hired to write a feature film screenplay for the popular Bratz doll franchise by MGA Entertainment and Crystal Sky Pictures. Isaac Larian, Avi Arad and Steven Paul will produce the project, while Benedict Carver will executive produce. 5/16

CJ Chivers has sold the film rights to his upcoming Esquire article “The School” to Universal Pictures. The story is about the horrific 2004 Russian school siege in Beslan by Chechen rebels in which 300 hostages and 31 terrorists were killed. Brian Grazer (Imagine Entertainment) is producing. The project is out to writers. 5/16

May 15 2006

Brandon Noonan has sold his spec “Arrow” to Warner Bros. The story for the action / martial arts film is being kept secret. The project will be helmed by Rob Cohen and produced by Basil Iwanyk (Thunder Road). Mary Viola will shepherd the project for the production company, Marc Pitre will do the same for the director, and Dan Lin and Jess Rosenthal for the studio. WMA represents the director. 5/15

Bruce Joel Rubin has been hired by Fox 2000 to write the film version of the book "Into the Light” by Robert Kurson. The story, originally an Esquire article by Rubin, is a bio about Michael May, a record-setting blind competitive downhill skier who has been chosen to receive an experimental stem-cell operation that could restore his eyesight. Gil Netter is producing. 5/15

Noah Hawley and Alexi Hawley have sold their spec "Dead in the Water" to Touchstone Pictures/Walt Disney Co. The horror film is about a couple whose life becomes a living nightmare when they rescue a man stranded at sea. Damien Saccani (Cider Mill House Pictures) is producing the project. Casey Wolfe will shepherd for the studio. 5/15

Andrew Jay Cohen and Brendan O'Brien have sold their comedy pitch "American Storage" to Paramount Classics. The duo will pen the script, which will be an expansion of their 2005 short film about a storage facility employee who finds a guy living in one of the units. The feature will be about how two employees rent the vacant units to homeless people. Cohen will direct, while Beau Bauman (Tower of Babble) will produce. 5/15

J2 Pictures has acquired the life rights to Doris Payne, a 75-year-old grandmother who has spent the last 50 years stealing high-end jewelry. She was finally caught recently in Las Vegas after pinching an almost $9,000 diamond ring in a Northern California department store. Eunetta Boone will write the screenplay. Justin Berfield and Jason Felts will produce, along with Boone. 5/15

David R. Ellis has been hired to direct “Asylum” by Hyde Park Entertainment. Ethan Lawrence wrote the horror film about college students who discover that their dormitory used to be an insane asylum. Ashok Amritraj and Jessika Borsiczky are producing. 5/15

Michael Radford has taken the directing reins of the Spanish language film “La Mula” (“The Mule”). The comedy-drama was written by Juan Eslava Galan, who based the script on his own book. Set during the waning months of the Spanish Civil War, the story is about the author's own father, who was forced to fight on both sides of the conflict. Soledad Gatti-Pascual (the Bureau) will produce, along with Alejandra Frade and Bruce St. Clair (Gheko Films). 5/15

May 12 2006

Nicolas Cage has signed to star in “Crazy Dog” for Yari Film Group. Henry Bean and Nick Kazan wrote the drama about a NY cop who seeks redemption after his cowardice cost his friend’s life. Joe Ruben is directing. Cage and Norm Golightly are producing with Bob Yari, while Mark Gordon and Brad Jenkel are executive producing. 5/12

Dax Shepard is top-lining in "The Retreat" for New Line Cinema. The comedy written by Alan Cohen and Alan Freedland is about a hotdog vendor-turned-well respected salaryman who discovers that he’s being sabotaged by jealous co-workers at his company’s retreat. Tom Brady is directing, while Jon Berg and Todd Komarnicki (Guy Walks Into A Bar) are producing. John Jacobs is executive producing. 5/12

Dolores Fonzi and Geoffroy Lickel have joined the cast of the drama “Death Club” for Straight Edge Prods. and Aeroplano Cine. James Merendino wrote and will direct the film set in Argentina about wealthy teens who become fixated on death after one their friends commits suicide. Sebastian Aloi is producing the Dogme-style indie with Merendino. 5/12

ThinkFilm has acquired the worldwide distribution rights to "Off The Black," which was written and directed by James Ponsoldt. The drama is a coming-of-age story about a curmudgeonly high school coach who helps a teenage boy deal with an emotionally distant father. Nick Nolte, Trevor Morgan, Timothy Hutton and Sally Kirkland all star in the film. Scott Macaulay and Robin O’Hara (Forensic Films) produced the project, while Bob Harriri, Meg Mortimer, Maggie Meade and Steve Kalafer executive produced.

P.S. Don't forget Mother's Day on Sunday, homies and homettes!

May 11 2006

Ned Vizzini has sold the film rights to his novel “It's Kind of a Funny Story" to Paramount Pictures/MTV Films. Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden are penning the dramedy adaptation, which is about a teenager who finds salvation from his depression, not from pharmaceuticals or his peers, but from adults in the psychiatric ward of a hospital who let him express himself creatively. Fleck is directing the project, which Kevin Misher is producing. 5/11

Erik Lohla has sold his untitled comedy spec to Original Films for low- to mid-six figures. The story is described as being like “Meet The Parents” and is about a couple who elope after feeling the exasperations of planning their wedding. Neal Moritz is producing the project, which is expected to land at Sony. 5/11

Maggie Grace is in talks to join Sarah Michelle Gellar and Alec Baldwin in the romantic comedy "The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing." The project is based on the best selling novel by Mellisa Bank about a young female NY book editor who tries to maintain her sanity while balancing a life involving her terminally ill father and her lover, a publishing world big-wig. The adaptation was written and will be directed by Marc Klein. Deborah Del Prete, Gigi Pritzker and Darryl Taja will produce for Warner Independent, with Suzanne Warren and Robert Sturm executive producing. 5/11

Raymond De Felitta has been hired to direct “Street Of Dreams” by Japan’s Kinema Motion Pictures. Robert Towne wrote the biopic about the Japanese-American gangster Montana Joe, exploring the hardships of the WWII internment camps and the subculture of gambling that blossomed in the compounds. 5/11

May 10 2006

David Michaels and Phil Reeves have sold their spec "The Other Side" to Intandem Films. The genre-bender (part modern fable, part mystery) is set on a strange island where a scientist has to figure out why the island’s inhabitants are “stunted.” Brittany Murphy, Ryan Gosling, Tim Roth, Giovanni Ribisi, Jason Lee and Anjelica Huston are all starring. Michaels will direct the film. Michel Shane and Anthony Romano (Hand Picked Films) are producing, along with Diane Isaacs, Jory Weitz and Kent Harper. Gary Smith, Andrew Brown, Billy Hurman, and Anthony Yohe will executive produce. 5/10

Frankie Muniz, Ryan Pinkston, Jamie Kennedy, Andy Milonakis, Matthew Lillard, Michael Cera, Kevin Hart, Joanna Garcia and Ashley Schneider have all been cast in "Parental Guidance Suggested." Written and to be directed by Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson (with writing contributions by Andy Samberg, Will Forte, John Solomon, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone), the teen sex comedy film will feature various raunchy sketches – like one about a guy whose girlfriend becomes ultra-sexualized (e.g. sex with midgets and farm animals) instantly after losing her virginity. Richard Suckle, Warren Zide and Laura Lichstein are producing. 5/10

In Universal news: Charley Parlapanides and Vlas Parlapanides have sold their spec "Live Bet" to the Black Tower dwellers. The thriller/heist film takes place in the underground world of illegal NY gambling dens that deal exclusively in street racing. Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson is starring, as well as producing with Chris Lighty, Mary Parent and Scott Stuber.

The studio has also acquired the US remake rights to the 1987 Spanish horror film “Anguista” (a.k.a. “Anguish”). The original is about a psycho killer whose victims are people in a small town who are watching a movie about a psycho killer. Jake Wade Wall pitched the revamped story and will write the script. Import/export kings Roy Lee and Doug Davison are producing, while (original director) Bigas Luna, George Ayoub and Sonny Mallhi are executive producing. 5/10

Ben Stiller, Jim Carrey and Emily Mortimer are top-lining "Used Guys" for 20th Century Fox. The comedy, written by Mickey Birnbaum with re-drafts by David Guion and Michael Handelman, is set in a woman-dominated future society in which men are treated like appliances. Jay Roach is directing. 5/10

Delia Ephron has sold her pitch "Beautiful" to Sony. Cary Brokaw, who developed the story with the writer, will produce the psychological thriller about a female executive whose life falls apart because of her own vanity. Aaron Geller will executive produce. 5/10

Steve List and Astrid Neal have sold an untitled comedy pitch to Warner Bros. No details on the concept of the project.* Chuck Roven and Alex Gartner (Mosaic) are producing, while Bruce Nash and Bob Kosberg are executive producing.

*Script Radar hates these kinds of non-announcements.

Highly successful African American erotic novelist Zane has sold the film rights to her book “Addicted” to Lionsgate. The sex-tinged drama is about a black businesswoman whose secret trysts threaten to ruin her family life. The writer is also producing with Suzanne De Passe. 5/10

Richard Greenberg has sold the film rights to his play “Three Days Of Rain” to producers Deborah Reinsch and Sean Costello. The playwright is penning the adaptation about a brother and sister who reunite with a childhood friend after the siblings’ father dies. Julia Roberts, Paul Rudd and Bradley Cooper have not indicated whether or not they’ll reprise their stage roles in the film version. 5/10

May 9 2006

Dean Lorey has been hired by Nickelodeon Films/Paramount Pictures to write the feature version of the TV show “Father Knows Best” based on an untitled pitch he presented to the studio. Ray Romano will top-line the film. The story is about a single father who pretends to be more accomplished than he is in order to win a “Father of the Year” award for his son and to woo a hot female judge in the contest. Gary Foster, Mark Steven Johnson, and Mike Karz will produce the project. Liz Raposo and Ben Cosgrove will shepherd for the studio, while Damon Ross and Michelle Raimo will do the same for the kid division. WMA and manager Rory Rosegarten represent the actor. WMA represents the writer. 5/9

Blizzard Entertainment Inc. is teaming up with Legendary Pictures to bring its mega-hit role playing multiplayer game "World of Warcraft" to the big screen. The epic fantasy film will not follow any specific episode of the series, but will take place in the games’ world in which trolls, elves, orcs and zombies creatures battle with and against human beings. The project is out to writers. 5/9

In Weinstein Co. news: John C. Reilly, Seann William Scott, Jenna Fischer, Lili Taylor, Gil Bellows and Fred Armisen are all in talks to star in Dimension Films’ "Quebec," which was written and will be directed by Steve Conrad. The comedy is about two grocery store managers who battle each other to get promotions, and the wives who are getting fed up with the men’s tomfoolery. Jessika Borsiczky and Steve Jones are producing the project.

TWC/Dimensions Films has also acquired the film rights to Glen A. Larson’s tubular 80s TV show “Knight Rider.” The project was in turnaround* from Revolution Studios. The series was about a radical private investigator who is given a new face, a new identity, an awesome leather jacket that popped a collar, and a gnarly new sports car with artificial intelligence and robotics (the Knight Industries Two Thousand – a.k.a. K.I.T.T.). Together, man and machine kicked ass and took names. Larson himself is writing the script. 5/9

*For those who don’t know: “Turnaround” means that one studio sells a script to another studio – the films ignominiously dumped by incoming management because they don’t want projects soiled by the previous administration’s greasy fingerprints.

Keisha Castle-Hughes and Toni Collete have been cast in the indie comedy “Hey, Hey, It’s Esther Blueberger.” The coming-of-age film will be about an Australian teenager who is about to have her Bat Mitzvah. Cathy Randall wrote the script and will direct the film. Miriam Stein is producing the project. 5/9

Don Cheadle and Chiwetel Ejiofor have been cast in "Talk to Me" by Sidney Kimmel Entertainment and Mark Gordon Co. The screenplay was written by Michael Genet, Rick Famuyiwa and Kasi Lemmons, with Lemmons directing the film. The biopic is set in the Washington-area during the Sixties, and is about Ralph Waldo "Petey" Green, a radical** black radio personality at a white-owned station. Focus Feature is distributing the film in North America. 5/9

** Radical as in “revolutionary” - like John Lennon... not as in “bitching” – like Michael Knight.

Bruce Nash has sold his family-oriented project “Santa Paws” to Vanguard Animation. The film is about a stray pooch who steals a ride to the North Pole in Father Christmas’ sleigh. Then it mauls the face off a cute elf and has to be euthanized. Just kidding about the second part – but wouldn’t that be radical? 5/9

May 8 2006

Mostly literary news today, kids...

WoundedKnee Independent Films has snapped up the US film rights to the novel “The Lenient Beast” by Frederic Brown. The drama is about the perfect crime told from five different perspectives. Lance Doty is producing and directing the project. The project is out to writers.

Ben Ryder has sold the rights to his dramady novel “My Korean Deli” to New Line Cinema. Meryl Poster (Superb Entertainment) and Jason Blum (Blumhouse) are producing the project, which is about a husband and wife who decide to get out of their rut by opening up the titular ethnic eatery. The project is out to writers.

Also at the Robertson Blvd. studio, Chris Weitz has been re-hired to direct “The Golden Compass,” the first installment of the Sci-Fi trilogy “His Dark Materials” by Phillip Pullman. Weitz wrote the adaptation about a plucky 12-year old girl named Lyra Belacqua and her supernatural friends who has adventures in an alternate universe battling demons. Bill Carraro and Deborah Forte are producing.

Mara Leveritt has sold the rights to her drama tome “Devil’s Knot: The True Story of The West Memphis Three” to Dimension Films. Scott Derrickson and Paul Harris Boardman are penning the adaptation, with Derrickson directing the project. The story is about teens who were charged with the murder of three Arkansas children in what is believed to be a Satanic ritual, after being influenced by Stephen King novels and Heavy Metal music.

Finally, writer-director Tod Williams has been hired by Beacon Films to adapt Bernard-Henri Levy's book "Who Killed Daniel Pearl?" Peter Landesman, New York Times Magazine foreign correspondent, is writing the script, while Josh Lucas will play a TV reporter in this “fictionalize account” of an investigation of Pearl, the Wall Street Journal reporter who was slain because (it is believed) he had information showing collaboration between the Pakistani intelligence agency and Al Qaeda. 5/8

P.S. I am starting to ramp up on my own creative projects, so please don't be alarmed if I drop "off the radar" now and then. Ciao, bellas!

May 5 2006

Ashton Kutcher and Kevin Bisch have sold an untitled romantic comedy pitch in the vein of “Shampoo” to Columbia Pictures for a deal that could total $3 million (for just the writing alone). The story, to be written by Bisch, is set in L.A. and involves a male florist who manipulates romances throughout the city. Kutcher is going to star, as well as produce with Jason Goldberg. Bisch will executive produce. Andrea Giannetti is shepherding the project for the studio. Endeavor, Untitled Entertainment and attorneys David Weber and Robert Offer represent Kutcher. ICM and attorney Jeff Frankel represent Bisch. 5/5

James Wan has been hired by 20th Century Fox to direct the film version of “Death Sentence.” The book written by Brian Garfield and adapted as a script by Ian Jeffers is about a father who goes ape-shit vigilante on gang members who attacked his family. Hyde Park Entertainment is producing the project. 5/5

Neve Campbell is joining Shirley MacLaine, Christopher Plummer, Brenda Fricker and Pete Postlethwaite in the period drama “Closing the Ring,” which Richard Attenborough* is directing. Peter Woodward wrote the script about a woman who receives her ex-fiancée’s ring – 25 years after he crashed his plane in Europe during WWII. Attenborough, Martin Katz and Jo Gilbert are producing the indie project. 5/5

*Isn't he a "Sir"?

Yann Samuell has been hired by DreamWorks to direct the Western adaptation of the Korean hit film “My Sassy Girl.” The romantic comedy is about a meek guy who gets involved with a girl who is wild at heart. The script was written by previous director Gurinder Chadha. My homie Roy Lee and Doug Davison are producing, along with Maverick Entertainment and Gold Circle Films. 5/5

Pierce Brosnan, Rachel McAdams, Chris Cooper and Patricia Clarkson are all top-lining another period drama titled “Marriage.” Penned by Oren Moverman and Ira Sachs, the film is set in the 1940s and is about a man who plots to kill his wife after he cheats on her with a younger woman – because it’s much easier than getting a divorce. Sachs is directing the film. The Weinstein Co. and MGM are partnering on the project. 5/5

It's Cinco De Mayo! Don't forget to lick, suck and slam your tequilla down, pendejos!

May 4 2006

20th Century Fox is moving forward with the film version of the Doris Burns book "Andrew Henry's Meadow," hiring Barry Sonnenfeld to direct the screenplay adaptation written by Adam Braff. The classic children’s story is set on a desolate Pacific Northwest island where an inventive young boy leads a rag tag group to protect the island’s inhabitants. John Davis is producing, while Zach Braff is executive producing. Debbie Liebling is shepherding the project for the studio. CAA and attorney Melanie Cook represents Sonnenfeld. CAA, Industry Entertainment and attorney Ken Richman represent Zach Braff. UTA, Industry Entertainment and attorney Jared Levine represent Adam Braff. 5/4

Jonathan Tropper has sold the film rights to his yet-to-be-published book "After Hailey" to Paramount Pictures for $350,000 against $1 million-plus * (apparently after a fierce bidding war between four studios). The story is about a man who is suddenly widowed and finds himself a single father to his rebellious teenage stepson. Lorne Michaels and John Goldwyn will produce the project. Alli Shearmur is overseeing for the studio. Writers House and Brillstein-Grey represent the author. 5/4

*For readers who don’t know: What this price means is that the author gets paid the first figure at the point-of-sale, then if/when the film gets made he will get the remaining amount which will total the second figure – in this case, $650,000-plus. The “plus” is probably the commission of his reps.

Writer-director Zoe Cassavetes has cast Parker Posey, Drea DeMatteo, Gena Rowlands, Jeanne Moreau, Justin Theroux and Josh Hamilton in her debut film "Broken English." The indie romance is about a young woman in NY who’s lifted out of her ennui when she moves to Paris after falling in love with a French guy. Jason Kliot (HDNet Films), Mark Cuban and Todd Wagner are producing the project, along with Vox3 Films, Japan's Phantom Film and France's Back Up Films. 5/4

Catherine Zeta-Jones is in final talks with Myriad Films to join Guy Pearce in the biopic "Death Defying Acts." Tony Grisoni and Brian Ward wrote the screenplay which is essentially about the torrid romance between the celebrated escape artist Harry Houdini and a psychic. Gillian Armstrong is directing. 5/4

Benicio Del Toro, Michael Berry Jr., Paul Dano, Tom Noonan, Catherine O'Hara, Forest Whitaker and Michelle Williams have all signed on as voice-talent in the film adaptation of "Where the Wild Things Are," the classic children’s book by Maurice Sendak. Spike Jonze will direct the film, based on the script he co-wrote with David Eggers and Michael Goldenberg. Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures are financing. Sendak is producing with Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman. 5/4

May 3 2006

Mark Bomback has sold his pitch “The Tourist” to 20th Century Fox for Arnold Rifkin and Bruce Willis (Cheyenne Enterprises) to produce. Hugh Jackman is in negotiations to star as the villain in the thriller about the NY underground society called “The Phone Club” in which people have secret and anonymous sexual encounters. Swedish newbie Marcel Langenegger is directing. 5/3

In New Line Cinema news: Craig Tilley has sold his pitch to update Jules Verne’s “20,000 Leagues Under The Sea” to the studio. Sam Raimi and Josh Donen are producing the project, which will focus more on the background of Captain Nemo and the prisoners on the Nautilus.

Ben Ripley has also sold his action thriller spec “The Red Cell” to New Line for Mike Deluca, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman to produce. The film, from a story developed by Ripley and his sister Amanda (a Time magazine National Security reporter), is about homeland security experts who become the target of assassination. 5/3

In Warner Brothers news: Adam F Goldberg has been hired by the Burbank studio to write the live action version of the classic cartoon “The Jetsons.” Sam Harper did a previous draft. Donald De Line has also been brought in by the studio to help Denise DiNovi produce the project.

Katie Wech has also sold her pitch “Rodeo Gal” to the WB. The teen drama will be produced by Jerry Weintraub and will star Emma Roberts. The story is about a young female dressage* enthusiast who gets involved in the dusty, noisy rodeo world after falling for a cute cowboy. 5/3

*Who knew Script Radar would ever use “dressage” in a post?

Scribe Mark Steilen has been hired to take directing duties by Screen Gems for “Weiners.” The comedy was written by Gabe Grifoni and Suzanne Francis and is about a group of buddies who take a road trip to confront a diabolical talk show host. Gregory Smith, Kenan Thompson, Zachary Levi and Fran Kanz are all starring. Susan Johnson and Smith (Braveart Films) are producing, with Scott Bankston and Beverly Strong (Anonymous Content) executive producing. 5/3

Will Strouse has sold his spec “Incurable” to youth-oriented Fox Atomic with Roy Lee and Doug Davison (Vertigo), and Jon Jacobs and Colin O'Reilly (Smart Entertainment) producing. Gabriel Mason is executive producing. The thriller’s plot is being kept close to the vest, but the story is about individuals dealing with extraordinary problems. 5/3

Ian Holt has sold his spec “The Un-Dead” to Blue Tulip Productions and Atchity Entertainment. The horror film is the “official” sequel to Bram Stoker’s classic vampire story “Dracula,” and has actually been sanctioned by Stoker’s heirs as such. The story will take place 25 years after the novel’s setting and will feature Prof. Van Helsing, Jonathan and Mina Harker, and a new (to us) character named Inspector Cotford (who was cut by Stoker from “Dracula”). The project is out to directors. 5/3

Julie Powell has sold the film rights to her book “Julie And Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen” to Columbia Pictures. Nora Ephron is writing the adaptation and will direct the project about the true life culinary adventures (as chronicled in the author’s blog) of a lowly female temp becoming a self-satisfied cook by tackling Julia Child’s cookbook “Mastering The Art Of French Cooking.” 5/3

May 2 2006

Kelley Sane has sold the spec “Rendition” to New Line Cinema. Director Gavin Hood has been brought in to develop the thriller about a CIA analyst whose life is upended after he sees a non-Middle Easterner being tortured by Egyptian secret police. 5/2

Richard Lewis has sold the film rights to his upcoming novel “The Killing Sea” to Fox 2000. The drama will be produced by Scott Free, with Ridley Scott possibly directing. The tome is about Indonesian boy and an American girl whose lives collide together after the 2004 Tsunami. 5/2

Amanda Peet’s fiancée David Benioff has been hired by Warner Bros. to pen “The Infiltrator,” a thriller based on an Atlantic Monthly article by Matthew Teague. Leonardo DiCaprio (Appian Way) is producing and might star in the film which is about British Intelligence agents who went undercover in the IRA to sabotage the rebel group’s efforts. 5/2

Jack Black has been tapped to star in the quirky comedy “Be Kind Rewind.” The script written by Michel Gondry* (who’s also directing) is about a guy whose (literally) magnetic brain erases his buddy’s entire video store inventory. To keep the rental shop from going under, the protagonists re-shoot all the films that were destroyed – including “The Lion King,” “Robocop” and “Back to the Future.” Georges Bermann (Partizan Films) is producing. Focus Features will distribute. 5/2

*Quick editorial: Script Radar believes Michel Gondy is the vanguard of not only cinema, but art. Curtsy.

Sean Astin and Powers Boothe have been cast in "The Final Season" by State of Mind Films. The indie baseball drama is based on a true story about a Midwest high school baseball team that overcame enormous obstacles to become champions (is there any other kind of sports movie?). The script was written by Art D'Alessandro. The project is being produced by Michael Wasserman (Fobia Films). 5/2

Terrence Howard and Richard Gere have signed on to top-line “Spring Break in Bosnia” by The Weinstein Co. Richard Shepard wrote the script and will direct the dramedy based on Scott Anderson’s Esquire article about the time Anderson and buddies/reporters Sebastian Junger and John Falk were trying to score an interview with a Bosnian war criminal, and found themselves being hunted after being mistaken as CIA assassins. 5/2

May 1 2006

Production companies Intermedia, QED International and Action Concept have tapped Jan De Bont to helm "Stopping Power." The action thriller, written by Eric Red with a polish by Richard Shepard, is about an American man who finds himself as a decoy in a high speed chase with European police after the man’s daughter is kidnapped by a criminal. ICM represents De Bont. 5/1

Catherine Keener, Vince Vaughn and Emile Hirsch have been cast in "Into the Wild" by the new-and-improved Paramount Classics. Sean Penn wrote the screenplay adaptation of the Jon Krakauer book about the true story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who one day decided to become a hermit in Alaska after graduating college, but was found four months later dead in an abandoned bus. Sean Penn is directing the film as well. Art Linson and William Pohlad are producing. 5/1

In remake news: Adam F. Goldberg has been hired to write a contempo version of "Revenge of the Nerds" for Fox Atomic. Kyle Newman is directing, while McG and David Manpearl will produce... Warner Brothers has hired Travis Beacham to pen its redo of “Clash of the Titans,” which Basil Iwanyk (Thunder Road) is producing. 5/1

Chris Cooper and Jamie Foxx have become subjects* of “The Kingdom” by Universal Pictures. Written by Michael Matthew Carnahan from a story by Michael Mann, the drama-thriller is set in the Middle East and involves an FBI investigation of a terrorist bombing in a compound where U.S. workers live. Peter Berg is directing the project, with Berg, Mann and Scott Stuber producing. 5/1

* I know Script Radar doesn’t usually “quip,” but I couldn’t resist.