Script_Radar

2006-08-07T08:29:00.000-07:00

Gone fishin'...

Will be back soon.

Have a nice day!

August 4 2006

2006-08-04T10:04:00.000-07:00

Will Ferrell and Adam McKay have sold their pitch “Step Brothers” to Columbia Pictures. The buddy comedy is about adult sons whose elderly parents fall in love and marry, creating sibling conflicts. McKay will direct, while Ferrell and John C. Reilly will star. Judd Apatow and Jimmy Miller are producing. 8/4

Universal Pictures has acquired the film rights to “Hellboy 2.” The supernatural action franchise went into turnaround when Revolution Studios went under. The sequel’s script has been written by Guillermon del Toro, who will return to direct. Ron Perlman and Selma Blair are signed on to star as well. Lawrence Gordon, Mike Richardson, Lloyd Levin and Joe Roth are producing, while Chris Kenney is executive producing. 8/4

Agnieszka Vosloo has agreed to write and direct “After.Life” for Constellation Entertainment. The supernatural thriller is about a young woman in limbo whose destiny rests in the hands of a funeral director. The Collective is also providing financing. 8/4

Listen up, bitches! Script Radar is going off-line for a while (a fortnight? a month? who knows?), so you're on your own. Please check in once in a while to see if we've rebooted, but for now we've decided to dust off some projects that have been shelved by us and make something of our lives.

So take care of yourselves and seen you soon. Mabuhay!

August 3 2006

2006-08-03T09:20:00.000-07:00

In Fox news: First, John Scott Shepherd and Todd Holland have sold their spec “Amy After Dark” to the Century City studio. The supernatural horror thriller is about a female NY lawyer who realizes that she’s a vampire. Holland is attached to direct and produce. The project was initially set up at 20th Century Fox TV.

Also, Allan Loeb and Christian Taylor have sold an Untitled Undead Pitch to Fox. The horror story is about a police investigator who harbors a secret: he’s been around for centuries. Loeb will pen the script, while Steven Pearl (Scarlet Fire Films) will produce. 8/3

Newbies Scott Neustadter and Michael M. Weber have been tapped to write “The Pink Panther” sequel for MGM/Sony Pictures. The mystery-comedy follows the further exploits of Inspector Jacques Clouseau, with Steve Martin reprising the role. Robert Simonds is producing, with Elizabeth Cantillon shepherding for the studios. 8/3

B. Clay Moore and Jeremy Haun have sold the film rights to their comic book “The Leading Man” to Universal. The action adventure series follows Nick Walters, a top Hollywood star who moonlights as an international secret agent. Marc Platt will produce, along with Eric Gitter (Closed on Mondays Entertainment). Adam Siegel and Jared Leboff will develop the film for Platt, while Jeffrey Kirschenbaum is doing the same for the studio. The project is out to writers. 8/3

Chris Noth has been tapped to star in the indie film “Frame of Mind.” Carl T. Evans wrote and will direct the thriller about a cop who discovers a deadly cover-up that leads all the way up to the Federal government. Evans is also starring and producing the project, along with Noth and Charles Kipp. 8/3

Macaulay Culkin, Alexis Dziena, Kuno Becker and Eliza Dushku have been cast in the indie film “Sex and Breakfast.” Written and to be directed by Miles Brandman, the dark comedy is about a young couple whose marriage is suffering from bedroom dysfunctions, so their sex therapist recommends that they engage in orgies as a cure. Steven Brandman, Chip Diggins and Andy Adelson are producing. 8/3

August 2 2006

2006-08-02T09:05:00.000-07:00

Michael Brandt and Derek Haas have been hired to pen the film version of the James Siegel novel “Deceit” for Universal. The drama thriller involves a big city journo who’s shipped off to the hinterlands for concocting stories, so when he really discovers a cover-up involving secret government radiation testing, his credibility is questioned. Lorenzo Di Bonaventura is producing. 8/2

Jason Keller has been hired to adapt Tom Sniegoski’s tome “Sleeper Code” for the silver screen by Warner Bros. The thriller involves a narcoleptic who discovers that he doesn’t actual suffer from the sleep disorder after his psychologist is murdered. Peter Donaldson, Stacy Maes and Jay Sanders are producing. 8/2

Jared Rivet has been tapped to write the US remake of “Dead Daughters” for Gold Circle Films. The Russian-language horror original is about three ghostly sisters who lash out at sinful people. Paul Brooks is producing, while Scott Niemeyer and Norm Waitt are executive producing. 8/2

Paul Dano and Daniel Day-Lewis have been cast to star in “There Will Be Blood” for Paramount Vantage and Miramax Films. Auteur Paul Thomas Anderson is writing and directing the early 1900s drama which is loosely based on the Upton Sinclair novel “Oil!” and shows how greed and corruption affects a small Texas town where oil is discovered. Scott Rudin is producing the project. 8/2

Hugh Jackman and John Palermo (Seed Prods.) have been tapped to produce an update of “Carousel” by Fox 2000. The original musical drama originated by Rogers & Hammerstein in 1945 is about an ill-tempered man who is killed in a foiled robbery, goes to limbo and is granted a single day to help a troubled teen fix his problem. Jackman is probably going to star in the film. 8/2

Chris Parnell, Diedrich Bader, Arabella Field, Mink Stole, Matt Malloy, Colin Fickes, Joel Michaely and MaKenna Marks have been tapped to top-line “Sunny and Share Love You” for Rinky Dink Amusements and Celebrity Ashtray Prods. The comic mockumentary written by Michele Mulroney and Micah Schraft (who are both also starring) and being directed by Matthew Buzzell follows a reunion between a couple of 90s pop stars. Brian Gerber and Field are producing. 8/2

August 1 2006

2006-08-01T08:29:00.000-07:00

Don Rhymer has been hired to write “Hotel Transylvania” for Sony Pictures Animation. The comedy follows Frankenstein’s monster, the Mummy, Count Dracula the Vampire and the Wolfman as the quartet finds refuge from the modern world in a rundown hotel and try to figure out their next step. Anthony Stacchi and David Feiss are co-directing the feature, which is being produced by Michelle Murdocca. 8/1

That's it, bitches! We could report about Heath Ledger playing Joker in the "Batman" sequel, but that's old snooze... I'm "audi" to enjoy the cooler L.A. weather...

July 31 2006

2006-07-31T09:54:00.000-07:00

John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky have been hired to re-draft “Leisureworld” for New Line Cinema. The comedy originally written by Jason and Justin Heimberg and Jeff Sank, then rewritten by Casey McCabe is about a stressed-out, overachieving guy who seeks refuge from his hectic career and girlfriend by checking into a retirement community, only to discover that the retirees are like a bunch of teens caught up in sex and drugs. Bob Cooper and Paul Schiff are producing. 7/31

Rob Corddry, Jon Stewart and Ben Karlin have sold their pitch “The Donor” to Paramount Pictures. Corddry, Brian Huskey and Jason Mantzoukas are writing the comedy. The logline is being kept close to the vest. Stewart and Karlin (Bus Boy Prods.) are producing. Corddry will also star and executive produce. Gail Berman and Eben Davidson are overseeing for the studio. 7/31

Kit Whitfield* has sold the film rights to his novel “Benighted” to Warner Bros. The horror story takes place in a society where werewolves (known as “Lunes”) are the majority and the minority of non-lycanthropic humans (“Barebacks”) are subjected to the Lunes’ prejudiced abuse. Adam Adamson, who is interested in directing, is producing the project along with Graham King (Initial Entertainment Group). The project is out to writers. 7/31

*Update: Script Radar was emailed by Anonymous and informed that Kit Whitfield is a woman. Thank you, masked avenger.

David Jacobson has been hired by Columbia Pictures to pen and helm the silver screen version of the novel “Roadside Picnic” by Boris and Arkady Strugatsky. The crime thriller with a sci-fi twist is about a “Stalker” – that is, a person who plunders alien artifacts left behind on Earth in the forbidden area called “The Zone” and sells the items in the black market. Neil Moritz is producing. 7/31

July 28 2006

2006-07-28T09:26:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday, homies!

David Diamond and David Weissman have sold an Untitled Buddy Comedy pitch to Disney Pictures. The plot is being kept under wraps, but it is reportedly in the raucous vein of “The Wedding Crashers.” Andrew Panay, Peter Abrams and Robert Levy (Tapestry Films) are producing. UTA represents the writing team. 7/28

Dean DeBlois has sold the pitch “Sightings” to Universal Pictures. The family-friendly flick involves children who stumble onto an undiscovered “thingee” hidden in the Florida Keys. Gary Ross (Larger Than Life) is producing, while DeBlois will executive produce. 7/28

Simon Pegg is in final talks to top-line “Run, Fat Boy, Run” for Gold Circle Films. Michael Ian Black wrote the romantic comedy which has a chubby guy with two goals: to train and finish a marathon; and to win back his former fiancée whom he jilted years ago. David Schwimmer is directing project. 7/28

Empire Pictures in partnering with Transcience Corp. to develop and produce an animated feature featuring the ever-popular toy line “The Amazing Live Sea Monkeys.” The project is out to writers. Michael Birnbaum is producing. 7/28

In Roc-a-Fella news: Damon Dash has announced several projects in the works. First, he's teaming up with Jane Rosenthal and Robert De Niro (Tribeca Prods.) to produce a Larry Davis Biopic, about how the African American teen got into a shoot-out with the NYPD and, after eluding authorities for more than a fortnight, surrendered to the FBI with the stipulation that the J. Edgars look into police corruption. Universal Pictures is funding development and production on the film. The producers are in talks with writers for the project.

Next, the hip-hop impresario is partnering with Kevin Misher to produce a drama exploring the dark world of Female Underground Boxing matches in Brooklyn.

Finally, Dash is in talks with First Look Studios to develop a Joe Stassi Biopic based on documentarians Marc Levin and Richard Stratton’s film about the gangster who served as aliaison between Mafia bosses Meyer Lansky and Lucky Luciano. Henry Winterstern will produce with Dash. 7/28

That's it! It's the weekend! Peace! Go out! Get drunk! Get laid! Get crack-a-lackin'!

July 27 2006

2006-07-27T09:50:00.000-07:00

In Universal Pictures news: First, David Gordon Green* and Danny McBride have sold their pitch “Mr. Machine” to the studio. The high-concept comedy is about three braniacs who create a robot that runs amok and tries to achieve global domination. Jon, Dan and Doug Heder (Greasy Entertainment) will produce the project, but Jon will not star in the film. Brian Grazer will also produce. Scott Bernstein and David Ortiz are shepherding for the studio, while David Bernardi will do the same for Imagine. CAA represents both Greasy Entertainment and the writers.

*What?! This is the auteur who made the ultra-serious “George Washington” and “Undertow.”

Second, Barry Blaustein and Jason Hefter have sold their pitch “Magic 8 Ball” to the folks in the Black Tower. The comedy involves the titular kid’s toy. Tom Shadyac and Michael Bostick are producing, with Shadyac considering the possibility of directing. 7/27

In Paramount Pictures news: Brad Pitt has signed on to top-line “The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons” for the Melrose-based studio. Warner Bros. is co-financing the venture. Eric Roth penned the script based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s fantasy story about a guy who starts aging backwards when he hits 50. Cate Blanchett is also starring in the film, which David Fincher is directing. Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall are producing.

Next, Dito Montiel has been tapped to pen a re-draft and to helm “Runnin’” for the "P'mount." The drama originally written by Robert Munic revolves around the world of illegal gambling. Kevin Misher and Patrick Baker are producing. 7/27

Kyle MacDonald has sold his pitch “One Red Paperclip” to DreamWorks. The comedy (?) is based on MacDonald’s clever true-life scheme to ultimately acquire a house through trading with strangers, starting with the titular office product – and lo and behold - he did it in 14 swaps! Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald are producing. The project is out to writers. 7/27

Keith Donohue has sold the film rights to his novel “The Stolen Child” to Amazon.com’s film division. The adventure drama is about a boy who is abducted by forest creatures and the changeling that’s left for his family to take his place. Amazon.com* won’t be providing financing for the project, but will be acting as a marketer on the film. UTA brokered the deal for the author. 7/27

*Sniff-sniff. What's that smell? We could be wrong, but isn't that "vertical integration"?

Russell Gewirtz has been hired to adapt the French film “Labyrinth” for Summit Entertainment. The thriller is about an investigator who must deal with a mental patient’s many personalities in order to track down the identity of a serial killer. Hillary Swank is starring, as well as producing with Erik Feig, Patrick Wachsberger, Rachel Rothman, Victoria Wisdom, Mark Morgan and Guy Oseary. 7/27

The Broken Lizard comedy troupe has signed on to star in and to produce “The Babymaker” for Warner Bros. The ensemble comedy written by Peter Gaulke and Gerry Swallow is about an impotent guy who recruits his friends to help him steal back the sperm he donated years ago so he and his new wife can procreate. Jay Chandrasekhar is directing the film. Gerber Pictures is also producing. 7/27

William Baldwin is joining Henry Winkler, Brenda Strong, Lisa Guerrero, Chris Kelly, Morgan Flynn and Owen Pearce in “A Plumm Summer” for Home Team Prods. and Fair Play Pictures. T.J. Lynch, Frank Antonelli and Caroline Zelder wrote the drama (?) inspired by the true-life event of boys who try to solve the kidnapping of their puppet. Zelder will make her directorial debut on the film, which Scott Erickson, Guerrero, Antonelli and Zelder are producing. 7/27

July 26 2006

2006-07-26T08:55:00.000-07:00

Joe Gazzam has sold his spec script “Straight and Narrow” to New Regency. The crime drama follows a guy who’s forced to perform a complicated caper by his fiancée’s father. Ralph Winter and Circle of Confusion will produce. 7/26

Bill Lawrence has been tapped to write and direct the silver screen version of Gregory Mcdonald’s novel “Fletch Won!” by The Weinstein Co. The mystery-comedy follows the protagonist’s salad days as a slacker and irreverent cub reporter as he and a colleague solve a murder. Lawrence is the show-runner for “Scrubs” so Zach Braff is in his sights to play the lead. David List will produce. 7/26

Lacey Chabert, Brooke Nevin, James Le Gros, Enrico Colantoni and Michael Shulman have signed on to star in “Sherman’s Way” for Starry Night Entertainment. Written by Thomas Nance, the comedy is set in the wine-growing Napa Valley region and follows an odd couple romance between a male ex-Olympic athlete-turned-epicurean and a younger pre-law Yale coed. The film is being directed by Craig Saavedra, who is also producing with Shulman. 7/26

Jason Reitman has been hired to direct “Juno” for Mandate Pictures. Diablo Cody wrote the dark comedy about the hard choices that a pregnant teen has to make regarding her unborn child. Lianne Halfon, Russell Smith and John Malkovich (Mr. Mudd) are producing, while Dan Dubiecki, Joe Drake and Nathan Kahane will executive produce. 7/26

Wallace Shawn, Alexander Chaplin, Heather Bucha, Ben Schwartz, Chris Klein, Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jamie-Lynn Sigler are in final talks to star in “New York Serenade” for Archer Entertainment. Written and to be directed by Frank Whaley, the bittersweet comedy revolves around two guy friends who realize that in order to grow up, they have to grow apart. Rachel Peters and Jim Jones are producing. 7/26

July 25 2006

2006-07-25T09:35:00.000-07:00

Enid Zentelis has been tapped to direct “Detroit Diva” by my peoples at the Robert Cort Co. The comedy written by Stephanie Allen follows a 30-something female real estate agent who discovers that she has the talent for singing the Blues (continuing Robert’s oeuvre of white women in the black world starting with “Save the Last Dance” and “Against the Rope”). 7/25

Guy Ritchie has been hired to helm and re-draft “Static” for Columbia Pictures. The crime drama originally penned by Brad Gann follows an indicted L.A. gang boss who gets caught in a shit storm when his ass is dragged through enemy territory on his way to testifying against corrupt anti-gang cops. Neal Moritz (Original Films) is producing the project. 7/25

Eva Longoria is joining Paul Rudd and Lake Bell in “How I Met My Boyfriend’s Dead Fiancée” for Gold Circle Films. Jeff Lowell wrote and will direct the supernatural romantic comedy about the love triangle between a female clairvoyant, her doubting client and the client’s ghostly girlfriend. Paul Brook, Peter Safran, Norm Waitt and Scott Niemeyer are producing. 7/25

Emily VanCamp and Chris Pine have signed on to top-line the untitled post-Apocalyptic thriller for Paramount Vantage. Written and to be directed by brothers Alex Pastor and David Pastor, the story follows a quartet of young people who turn on each other while fleeing into the American frontier in order to survive a viral pandemic. Anthony Bregman (This and That) is producing. 7/25

Magnolia Pictures/2929 Entertainment has nabbed the domestic distribution rights to “The Hero of Color City.” The CG-animated family film written by J.P. McCormick and Rich Raczelowski tells the tale of crayons (the feisty Red, the cool Blue, etc.) that come to life in order to save their colorful homeland from an evil antagonist. John Eraklis (Exodus) is producing the project, while Max Howard is executive producing. 7/25

Walden Media has acquired the film rights to the American Girl toy franchise. The first doll’s tale to be told will be that of “Kit Kittredge.” No writer, director or cast is attached yet. Producers on the project include Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Marisa Yeres, Stephanie Langhoff, Julia Robertsm and Lisa Gillan. 7/25

July 24 2006

2006-07-24T10:35:00.000-07:00

In Vertigo Films/Roy Lee News: First, Elisha Cuthbert is in final talks to star in “My Sassy Girl” for Gold Circle Films. The English-language version of a South Korean original romantic comedy was penned by Vic Levin and follows the change that a small-town guy goes through when he encounters a rambunctious city girl, and vice-versa. Yann Samuell is attached to direct the remake, which is being produced by my boy Roy, Mark Morgan (Maverick Films) and Paul Brooks. Scott Niemeyer, Norm Waitt, Doug Davison, Guy Oseary, Milton Kim and Jay Polstein will serve as executive producers.

Second, Bryan Bertino has been hired to direct “Strangers” by Rogue Films/Focus Features. Bertino wrote the thriller about a recently-married couple who become the target of three enigmatic strangers. Roy and Doug Davison are also producing this film, along with Nathan Kahane (Mandate), while Sonny Malhi and Joe Drake are executive producing. 7/24

Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky have sold their pitch “The Intern” to DreamWorks for low- to mid-six figures. The comedy revolves around a man who returns to work after years of being a house-husband, but has to start at the bottom rung of the corporate world. Ivan Reitman (Montecito Pictures) is producing. 7/24

Freddie Highmore and Sarah Bolger have signed on to top-line “The Spiderwick Chronicles” for Paramount Pictures/Nickelodeon Movies. John Sayles and David Berenbaum wrote drafts of the film version of the first installment of Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi children’s supernatural fantasy novel series about three children – Mallory, Jared and Simon – and their mother who move into a dilapidated manor where the kids discover a world of faeries. Mark Waters is directing. Mark Canton, Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Julia Pistor and DiTerlizzi are producing, while Kathleen Kennedy are executive producing. 7/24

July 21 2006

2006-07-21T08:54:00.000-07:00

Newbie Duncan Birmingham has sold his spec “Swingles” to Paramount Pictures. The anti-romantic comedy is about an AFC* who reluctantly joins forces with an acid-tongued woman he personally can’t stand because hanging around her doubles his own dating. Kevin Misher is producing the project. Pam Abdy and Ed Goemans are shepherding for the Melrose Ave.-based studio. 7/21

*Average Frustrated Chump

Ehren Kruger has been tapped to adapt Thomas Perry’s novel “Nightlife” by DreamWorks Pictures. The psychological thriller follows two female main characters – a serial-murderer who changes her identity after every kill and the police investigator who vigilantly tracks her down from one town to another. Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, Neal Moritz and Toby Jaffe are all producing while Pete Chiarelli and Bob Wunch will executive produce. 7/21

Daniel Clowes has sold the film rights to his short comic book tale “Deathray” to the production company Black and White. Clowes will also adapt the story himself for the silver screen. The narrative revolves around a curmudgeon in his late 40s who has superpowers, but uses them for mundane reasons, like repulsing annoying neighborhood kids off his property. Mike White and Jack Black are producing, with Black eyeing a bit part in the finished product. 7/21

Charles Sturridge has signed on to pen and helm the movie version of Libby Bray’s book “A Great and Terrible Beauty” for Icon Productions and Firstsight Films. The supernatural young adult tome is the first of a trilogy which follows a rebellious teen girl named Gemma Dolye, who was raised in India, but is sent to a dour English boarding school after her mother dies. There, she befriends three other free spirited peers, discovers the world of magic, and eventually confronts the forces that doomed her mother. Bruce Davey and Sturridge are producing. Lindsay Williams and Ellen Goldsmith-Vein will executive produce. 7/21

Joseph Fiennes has been cast to top-line “The Red Baron” for Niama Film. Written and to be directed by Niki Muellerschoen, the WWI biopic follows the Canadian dogfighter Roy Brown who shot down the dreaded ace Manfred von Richthofen.** Dan Maag, Roland Pellegrino and Thomas Reisser are producing. Also starring are Matthias Schweighoefer, Lena Headey, and Til Schweiger. 7/21

**I always thought Snoopy did it in his Sopwith Camel-slash-doghouse.

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

July 20 2006

2006-07-20T09:36:00.000-07:00

In San Diego Comic Con spawned news: First, Louis Leterrier has been tapped to helm the next installment of “The Incredible Hulk” for Marvel Studios. Zak Penn is writing the sequel (originally reported on April 28th) which has the gargantuan green Gamma Ray guy battling the equally green and Gamma-infected, but scaly and more powerful Abomination. Kevin Feige and Gale Anne Hurd are producing the project, while Avi Arad and Michael Helfant are executive producing. ICM represents Leterrier.

Next, Angry Films has been hired to produce the silver screen version of the DC Comic “Deadman” by Warner Bros. The comic book created by Arnold Drake and Carmine Infantino in the 60s (and revived with aplomb by the fantastic artist Neal Adams) tells the tale of Boston Brand, a murder trapeze artist who is allowed by the Hindu goddess Rama Kushna to return to Earth as a spirit who can possess the living in order to find his killer – but he ends up helping others in need along the way. Guillermo del Toro, Don Murphy and Susan Montford are all producing. No cast, writer or director is yet attached.

Also from DC Comics, Adam Turner has been hired to adapt the quirky superhero team comic book “The Doom Patrol” by Warner Bros. The series created by Bob Haney in the 60s (the Silver Age to you non-geeks, by the way) follows a wheelchair-bound genius named The Chief who assembles marginalized meta-humans Elasti-Girl (who can shrink and grow to abnormal proportions), Negative Man (who can project a radioactive essence from his corporeal self) and Robotman (a human whose brain is encased in a mechanical body). Akiva Goldsman and Kerry Foster (Weed Road) is producing.

Finally, Benderspink is joining Andrew Prowse and Sophie Patrick in developing a movie version of Bryan Talbot’s comic “The Adventures of Luther Arkwright.” The comic book series follows an adventurer (duh) who can bounce around alternate universes, working with a group of do-gooders known as “zero-zero” and battling bad guys who call themselves “Disruptors.” 7/20

Adam Brooks has sold his spec “Definitely, Maybe” to Universal Pictures. The romantic comedy is about a politico who finds himself having to explain his past relationships to his pre-teen daughter. Ryan Reynold, Derek Luke and Isla Fisher are top-lining the film, which Brooks is also directing. Tim Bevans and Eric Fellner (Working Title) are producing. 7/20

Wes Bentley and Rachel Nichols have been cast in “P2” by Summit Entertainment. Written by Alexandre Aja, Gregory Levasseur and Franck Khalfoun, the psychological thriller is about a strong female executive who stays late at the office on Christmas Eve to catch up on work, only to fall prey to a maniacal security guard. Aja and Levasseur are producing the project, while Khalfoun is directing. 7/20

Danny Glover is joining musicians Keb' Mo', Ruth Brown and Gary Clark Jr. in “Honeydripper” for Anarchist’s Convention Films. Auteur John Sayles’ musical drama set in 50s Alabama is about a blues club owner whose establishment is failing, so to shake things up, he hires an edgy, young electric guitarist to perform – introducing the world to rock ‘n’ roll. Sayles and Maggie Renzi are producing. 7/20

Christian Slater, Steve Buscemi and John Cleese are lending their voice talent to The Weinstein Co’s “Igor.” The CG-animated family comedy written by Chris McKenna follows the titular hunchback as he and his sidekick (a cynical lab rabbit) defy his mad-scientist master in order to enter the Evil Science Fair. John Eraklis and Max Howard (Exodus Film Group) are producing. 7/20

Bob Hilgenberg and Rob Muir have been tapped to write a contempo version of “I Love You Again” by New Line Cinema. The original 40s screwball comedy follows a gentleman whose world is upended when he discovers that before he got amnesia seven years ago, he was a common crook. Sara Risher, Jerry Leider and Richard Walter are producing the project. 7/20

July 19 2006

2006-07-19T09:11:00.000-07:00

Frank Miller has signed on to direct and pen a silver screen version of legend Will Eisner's Golden Age comic book “The Spirit.” The “noirish” comic book which was launched in the 1940s follows Denny Colt, a young detective whom the public believes died after being poisoned by the evil Dr. Cobra, but actually survived and has become a masked crime-fighter. Deborah Del Prete and Gigi Pritzker (Odd Lot Entertainment) are producing, along with Michael Uslan (Batfilm Productions). Benjamin Melniker will executive produce. 7/19

Rapper T.I. and Jason Geter have sold their pitch “For Sale” to New Line Cinema. The ensemble comedy set in Atlanta will follow the exploits of used-car salesmen. T.I. will star, as well as produce with Geter for their Grand Hustle Entertainment banner. Toby Emmerich, Sam Brown and Jeff Katz will shepherd the project for the studio. 7/19

Martin Kihn has sold the film rights of his yet-to-be-published memoir “A$$hole!: How I Got Rich & Happy by Not Giving a F#@% About You" to Warner Bros. for $500,000 against $1 million. The comedy tome tells the story of how the author realized that being a well-like pushover wasn’t getting him anywhere in his career, so he decided to become a pushy jerk instead – but he eventually saw that while his professional life was flourishing, his personal life was falling apart. Paula Weinstein (Spring Creek) will produce. 7/19

Jada Toys has signed a pact with State Street Pictures to produce a feature film based on the toy company’s brand Chub City. The movie will focus on the line’s group of six multicultural hip-hop young characters called the Chub Dubs. Bob Teitel and George Tillman will produce the project, with Rene Rigal overseeing development for the entertainment shingle. 7/19

July 18 2006

2006-07-18T08:52:00.000-07:00

Ving Rhames, Mena Suvari and Nick Cannon have all signed on to top-line the “Day of the Dead” remake for Millenium Films and Emmett/Furla Films. The contempo version penned by Jeffrey Reddick follows the same plot as the 1985 George Romero classic horror film, with humans facing off against zombies in a bunker. Steve Miner is tackling directing duties, while Avi Lerner, Boaz Davidson, Randall Emmett, George Furla, and James Dudelson (Taurus Entertainment) are producing. Paul Mason and Jordan Rush are serving as executive producers. 7/18

Gabriele Muccino has been hired to direct the English-language version of "A Little Game without Consequence" for Focus Features. Based on the play by Gerard Siblevras and adapted for the silver screen by Allan Loeb, the romantic comedy follows a couple whose practical joke of pretending to break up backfires on them when their friends admit that they’ve always thought that the man and woman be better off with other people. 7/18

Writer-director Doug Atchison has signed a three-film, first-look production pact with The Weinstein Co. The first two projects under the deal will be the romantic comedy “Outspoken” and the WWI romantic drama “The Last Caravan.” Lou Pitt (his manager) will serve as producer. Michael Cole, Kelly Carmichael, and Carla Gardini will shepherd the films for TWC. 7/18

July 17 2006

2006-07-17T08:35:00.000-07:00

Nick Thune has sold his pitch “Community College” to Warner Bros. The comedy, which will be co-written by Thune, Kevin Flynn and Kyle Flynn, follows two 20-something underachievers who have dragged their asses for seven years to get a two year degree. Thune will also star in the project which his managers Dave Becky and Michael Rotenberg (3 Arts Entertainment) are producing. 7/17

Chris Downey has sold his spec “My Beautiful Coma” to New Line Cinema. The comedy takes place in a married, but comatose, guy’s dreamscape, in which he successfully seduces every woman he’s ever fantasized about – that is, until his wife enters his psyche to “save him.” Brett Ratner and Jay Stern (Rat Entertainment) are producing. 7/17

Roger Michell is in talks to helm the next installment of the James Bond series (currently known as “Bond 22”). Michael Wilson (Eon Prods.) is producing and is currently looking for a writer to help develop the story. CAA represents Michell. 7/17

July 14 2006

2006-07-14T10:11:00.000-07:00

Kevin and Dan Hageman have been hired to adapt the book “The Lies of Locke Lamora” by Scott Lynch for Warner Bros. The yet-to-be-released sci-fi fantasy epic is the first in a seven book series and follows the (mis)adventures of a likeable conman and his merry band called Gentlemen Bastards. Michael De Luca and Julie Yorn are producing. 7/14

In Marc Platt/Universal news: First, Jamie Foxx and Jaime Rucker King have signed on to produce “The Power of Duff” with Platt for Uni. The drama written by Stephen Belber* is about a TV news anchor whose prayers on the air miraculously start happening, igniting a public firestorm between believers and skeptics. Foxx might possibly star. Abby Wolf-Weiss is shepherding the project for Platt, while Donna Langley and Kristin Lowe are doing the same for the studio.

*The script sold last year for $900,000 against $1.25 million, and has attracted the likes of Tom Hanks and Russell Crowe to star, and Ron Howard to direct.

Second, Uni has also nabbed the film rights to the comic book “Tag” for the uber-producer. The horror title follows a dude who is walking down the street minding his own bid-ness when some other dude with an ancient curse tags him, causing our dude to start to decompose right then and there – our dude now has to either accept death or find another victim.** Ross Richie and Andrew Cosby (Boom! Entertainment) are also producing. 7/14

**What about finding a way to stop the curse? Fools!

Judd Apatow has signed on to produce “Super Bad” for Columbia Pictures. The teen comedy being written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg is about two nerds who try to score booze for a party with the intent of scoring with chicks – but then complications and hilarity ensue. Jonah Hill and Michael Cera are starring, while Greg Mottola is directing. Matt Tolmach and Jonathan Kadin are overseeing for the studio. Shauna Robertson will also produce, while Rogen and Goldberg are executive producing. Paradigm, Thruline Entertainment and attorney James Feldman represent Mottola. UTA, Principato-Young and attorney Karl Austen represent Hill. UTA, Marsha McManus and attorney Fred Toczek represent Rogen. UTA and attorney Toczek represent Goldberg. UTA, Jimmy Miller and attorneys Bryan Wolf and Sam Fischer represents Apatow. 7/14

Martin Sheen is joining Don Cheadle, Cedric the Entertainer, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mike Epps and Keith Sweat in “Talk to Me” for Sidney Kimmel Entertainment. The biopic written by Michael Genet, with rewrites by Rich Famuyiwa and Kasi Lemmons tells the story of the controversial 60s Washington D.C.-area DJ named Ralph Waldo “Petey” Green whose outspokenness on social issues sparked consternation and admiration amongst his listeners. Joe Fries, Mark Gordon, Josh McLaughlin and Sidney Kimmel are producing, with Cheadle, J. Miles Dale, Joe Rappa and Bruce Toll are executive producing. 7/14

Alicia Keys and Jeff Robinson have agreed to a first-look production pact with Disney, with their first company Big Pita/Little Pita’s*** endeavor being a remake of the classic “Bell Book and Candle.” Keys will top-line the film. The original is about a witch living in NY whose love spell backfires on her. 7/14

***Pita = “Pain in The Ass.” Cute, right?

Dan Fogler has signed on to star in “Number Thirteen” for Union Square Entertainment. Written and to be directed by Chase Palmer, the drama about director Alfred Hitchcock’s true-life first directorial effort on the film “Number 13” (a.k.a. “Mrs. Peabody”) in 1922 surmises that the project’s sudden and unexplained collapse was caused by Hitch getting ensnared into a love triangle with two other crewmembers, and then becoming the prime suspect of the lead actor’s... muhhhh-duhhhhh. Ewan McGregor and Geoffrey Rush are also circling the project. Jason Berk and Matt Lane, and Gail Mutrux are producing. 7/14

Yoshimitsu Morita has signed on to helm a (gasp!) remake of the Akira Kurosawa samurai action comedy classic “Sanjuro” for producer Haruki Kadokawa. Yuji Oda will star in the role (made famous by Toshiro Mifune) of an awkward, yet heroic katana-for-hire who helps locals thwart corrupt government officials. 7/14

That’s it, bitches! Peace out! It’s the weekend – go out and play! If you’re in L.A.-area, here’s a post for something to do:

UPDATE: THIS BBQ IS AT THE NIGHTCLUB "THE SCENE" IN THE GLENDALE/EAGLE ROCK AREA

We are having Sunday BBQ's every Sunday this summer!

Last week was our first one and it was a blast! Food is free, guest DJ's and guest BBQ chef's! Great drink specials and we'll have the games on!

This week we have DJ Kevin Fitzgerald and BBQ chef Calixto cooking up some mexican style carne asada!

There is an optional $2 donation and all the food you can eat!

Keep your eye on the calendar on our website and our calendar on myspace for future guests.

If you want to DJ or BBQ, drop a line at thescenebarbooking@yahoo.com or hit us on myspace.

thank you and come on out! fun starts @ 2!

-the scene bar

July 13 2006

2006-07-13T10:10:00.000-07:00

Dave Kalstein has sold the film rights to his novel “Prodigy” to Intrepid Pictures and Rogue Films. The sci-fi thriller, which the author is himself adapting, is set in the near future at an ultra-elite prep school where kids are turned into geniuses with the help of pharmaceuticals. Some of the graduates turn up dead, so the school’s valedictorian is assigned to investigate the mystery. Trevor Macy and Marc Evan are producing. 7/13

Eric Gravning has sold his spec “Mr. Burnout” to NALA Films. The comedy is about a worn out English teacher who accepts a bet from an attractive colleague that he can’t turn three of his worst students into college bound graduates - hilarity and mischief ensue. 7/13

Angelina Jolie has signed on to play the lead role in the film version of the autobiography “A Mighty Heart” by Mariane Pearl. The drama adapted by Laurence Coriat and Michael Winterbottom follows the emotional roller-coaster experienced by the widow of Daniel Pearl, the journalist who was kidnapped and slain in Pakistan by Al Qaeda. Winterbottom will helm the film. Jolie’s baby daddy Brad Pitt and Andrew Eaton (Plan B) will produce the project for Paramount Vantage. 7/13

David Klass has sold the film rights to his book “Firestorm” to Warner Bros. The young adult sci-fi novel is the first in the “Caretaker” trilogy and follows a high school senior who suddenly finds himself the hero of an interplanetary war. Basil Iwanyk (Thunder Road) is producing. 7/13

Michael McGowan has signed on to direct “Unforgettable” for Gold Circle Films. The romantic drama written by Richard Finney and re-drafted by Todd Stein revolves around a couple whose marriage has lost its luster. However, the duo rediscovers the origin of their love for one another when the husband suffers a disease that robs him of his short term memory and the wife is forced to care for him. Paul Brooks and Michael Taylor are producing. 7/13

July 12 2006

2006-07-12T11:29:00.000-07:00

Roadside Attractions has nabbed the domestic distribution rights to “Come Early Morning.” The drama written and directed by former “Married with Children” hottie Joey Lauren Adams is about an alcoholic and promiscuous female construction supervisor who is forced to face her inner demons when she falls in love. Ashley Judd stars in the project, which was produced by Bold Films. 7/12

Bradley Whitford is joining James Franco and Catherine Keener in “An American Crime” for First Look Features. Written by Tommy O’Haver and Irene Turner and based on true events, the crime drama follows the 1965 trial to prosecute Gertrude Baniszewski, after 16-year old Sylvia Likens died while under her foster care. O’Haver is directing the project. Jocelyn Hayes-Simpson, Katie Roumel, Kevin Turin, Christine Vachon and Henry Winterstein are all producing. 7/12

Jeff Goldblum has signed on to star in “Adam Resurrected” for Bleiberg Entertainment and EMS/3L. Paul Schrader and Noah Stollman co-adapted the Yoram Kaniuk Holocaust drama novel about a clown (i.e. as in the Bozzo kind, not the Joe Pesci kind) whose life is spared so he can entertain the thousands of Jews who were going to die. Schrader will direct, while Ehud Bleiberg and Werner Wirsing are producing. Ulf Israel is executive producing. 7/12*

*Sounds like Jerry Lewis’ 60s buried film “The Day The Crown Cried.”

Jessica Alba is in talks to star in “The Eye” remake for Lionsgate. The English-language remake of the Pang Brothers’ Thai original horror film is about a young woman who starts having disturbing visions after receiving an eye transplant. David Moreau and Xavier Palud are being considered for co-directing duties. Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner are producing. 7/12**

** This sucks for a friend of mine who works with Hideo Nakata, who was attached to direct when Renee Zellweger and Paramount were involved with this project.

Midnight Movies Entertainment has acquired the distribution rights for “Night of the Living Dead 3-D.” Based on the George A. Romero classic zombie film, this contempo version was written by Robert Valding and directed by Jeff Broadstreet. Brianna Brown, Joshua DesRoches and Sid Haig all star. Broadstreet produced the film, while Ingo Jucht executive produced. 7/12

Anand Tucker has been hired to helm “And When Did You Last See Your Father?” by Number 9 Films and FilmFour. David Nicholls wrote the drama adaptation based on Blake Morrison’s memoir about the author’s recollection of his beloved father, whose spark of life was dimmed quickly by a terminal illness. Jim Broadbent and Collin Firth are starring. Elizabeth Karlsen is producing. 7/12

Jason Long has been cast in “Patriotville” by Two Roads Entertainment. Talmage Cooley wrote and will direct the comedy about two young adults who band together to stop an Indian casino from being built on an historic battlefield, drawing the ire of locals who want the jobs promised by the new business. 7/12

July 11 2006

2006-07-11T09:34:00.000-07:00

Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless have sold their spec “Dracula Year Zero” to Universal Pictures. The horror drama interweaves the true biography of Prince Vlad the Impaler and vampire mythology, while casting the tale more as a tragic love story involving magic and war rather than as a pure monster tale. Michael De Luca is producing. Donna Langley and Jeffrey Kirschenbaum will shepherd for the studio. 7/11

Adam Alleca has optioned his spec “The Drowning Man” to Intermedia. The sci-fi action-thriller based on the manga “Living Corpse” by Hidesho Hino is about a man who wakes up in a cemetery as a z-z-z-z-zombie?!? – and soon he becomes the prey of government officials and scientists who want to discover the secret of his undead state. Scott Kroopf and Steven Schneider are producing. WMA represents Alleca. 7/11

Momentum has nabbed the Blighty distribution rights to “Control.” The biopic drama written by Matt Greenhalgh and partially based on Curtis’ wife Deborah’s memoirs "Touching from a Distance" follows the tragic life of Ian Curtis, the epileptic and clinically-depressed lead singer of the New Wave band Joy Division who committed suicide just as the combo’s popularity was rising. Sam Riley, Samantha Morton and Alexandra Maria Lara are starring. Anton Corbijn is helming the project. Orian Williams, Corbijn and Todd Eckert (Northsee) are producing, while Peter Heslop, Deborah Curtis, Tony Wilson and Helena Danielsson are serving as co-producers. Becker Intl., EM Media, Warner Bros. Music U.K., Film I Vast, Cinema Investment Japan, Three Dogs and a Pony, and Kate Ogborn are all executive producing. 7/11

Freddie Prinze Jr. and Taryn Manning have signed on to star in “Jack and Jill vs. the World” for My Own Worst Enemy LLC. The romantic satire written by Vanessa Parise and Peter Stebbings is about a cynical guy whose romance with a secretive girl touches off a cultural revolution. Parise will also direct, produce and top-line the indie film. Roger Spottiswoode and Nicholas Tabarrok are sharing producing duties, while Jordan Gertner and Michael Jaffe are executive producing. 7/11

July 10 2006

2006-07-10T09:09:00.000-07:00

Brad Furman has been hired to direct “The Take” for Ithaka Films. The indie drama thriller set in East L.A. and written by Josh and Jonas Pate is about the lengths an armored-car driver goes through in order to avenge himself after being shot by crooks during a heist. John Leguizamo, Tyrese Gibson, Rosie Perez, Bobby Cannavale, RZA and Meagan Good are all starring. 7/10

P.J. Hogan will helm “Chasing Vermeer” for Warner Bros. The teen mystery based on the book of the same name by Blue Balliett takes place in Chicago and follows two gifted middle-school aged boy and girl who use their intellect to track down a stolen 17th century painting by Johannes Vermeer. Plan B is producing. 7/10

Terry Zwigoff and Jerry Stahl have been tapped by Initial Entertainment Group to write the film version of Laurent Graff's French novel “Happy Days.” The drama comedy is about a 35-year old man who decides to give up all worldly possessions (including leaving his family) to live in a nursing home, but instead of succumbing to morbidity, he finds “joie de vivre” when a terminally-ill elderly woman befriends him and shows him to embrace life. Zwigoff will direct. Johnny Depp (Infinitum Nihil) and Graham King are producing. 7/10

Angelina Jolie will be lending her voice talent to “Kung Fu Panda” for DreamWorks Animation, joining Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu and Ian McShane. The martial-arts CGI comedy is about a slacker Panda named Po who discovers that he is the “Chosen One” and is trained by other animals called the Furious Five to vanquish his town’s enemies. Mark Osborne and John Stevenson are directing, with Melissa Cobb producing. 7/10

July 7 2006

2006-07-07T09:19:00.000-07:00

Derek Guiley and David Schneiderman have sold an Untitled Comedy pitch to 20th Century Fox. The story based on real events involves a quartet of un-hip advertising executives who enroll into a seminar about what’s “cool” to today’s kids, then suddenly find themselves reverting to the roles they each had as teenagers. Dean Georgaris and Michael Aguilar (Penn Station Entertainment) are producing. 7/7

Sanaa Hamri has been hired to helm “Dreams of a Dying Heart” by Focus Features. Written by Shawn Otto, the drama thriller set in the current Iraq War follows a female American helicopter pilot who is shot down during combat and uses the hope of reuniting with her 18-year old daughter to survive. Kristin Harms (Harms Way Entertainment) and Larry Kennar (Code Entertainment) are producing. ICM represents Hamri. 7/7

ThinkFilm has nabbed domestic distribution rights to “10th & Wolf.” The crime drama based on real events was written by Bobby Moreseco and Chazz Palmiteri, and is about an American soldier who returns home to Philadelphia and finds out that he can’t distance himself from his family’s Mafia ties. Moresco directed the film. James Marsden, Giovanni Ribisi, Brad Renfro, Piper Perabo, Brian Dennehy, Lesley Ann Warren, Dennis Hopper and Val Kilmer all star. Suzanne De Laurentiis, Leo Rossi and Joseph Murphy produced, while Jeffrey W. Tott executive produced. 7/7

Doug Liman has signed on to produce “Vaporetto 13” along with Denise Di Novi. The supernatural thriller based on Robert Girardi’s novel and penned for the silver screen by Greg Pruss is about an American diver who discovers a sunken, long-lost church which contains a horrific secret while he is swimming around in a Venice canal. Gregor von Bismarck is directing. The project, which was recently put into turn-around by Warner Bros., is being represented by CAA. 7/7

Kind-of weird news: “Faith-based” film company Good News Holdings and Bible publisher Tyndale House are teaming up to produce a series of teen-skewed horror films based on author Bodie Ingelvie’s soon-to-be published books “Dudleytown.” The anthology is set in the haunted Connecticut woods and real-life events that inspired “The Blair Witch Project.” Ingelvie will pen the film versions, launching the series with “Dudleytown: Voice” which follows the journal entries of 17-year old protagonist. Red Barn Films is also producing. 7/7

Thank G-d it's Friday! Dinner with my nieces tonight... Pub crawl in Redondo Beach with sexy Helen and her gal pals tomorrow... World Cup action in Santa Monica on Sunday.... Life is swell!

July 6 2006

2006-07-06T09:03:00.000-07:00

Tom Pabst has signed on to write the film version of Joe Hill’s book “Heart-Shaped Box” for Warner Bros. As first reported in Script Radar on 4/6/06, the supernatural thriller is about a collector of occult artifacts who acquires a haunted object that makes him confront his terrifying past. Akiva Goldsman (Weed Road) is producing. Kevin McCormick is shepherding for the studio. 7/6

Suzanne Francis and Gabe Grifoni have been hired to write an Untitled Tech School Project for Bristol Bay Productions. The campus comedy is about a group of engineers who join a college scavenger hunt that requires them not only to use their heads, but also their hearts. Lenny Kornberg will produce, while Jackie Levine and Bonnie Solomon will shepherd the project for the company. HML, Evolution and Morris, Klein, Mark & Yorn represent the writing duo. 7/6

The Weinstein Co. has nabbed the domestic distribution rights to “Like Minds.” The drama thriller written and directed by Gregory J. Read follows detectives who suspect that the serial killer they’re hunting is a teenager. Toni Collette, Richard Roxburgh, Tom Sturridge and Eddie Redmayne star in the film. Jonathan Shteinman, Richard Johns and Piers Tempest produced the film. 7/6

Tartan Films has acquired the U.K./Ireland distribution rights to “The Lives of Saints.” The supernatural thriller written by Tony Grisoni is about a street urchin who possesses magical powers. Rankin and Chris Cottam co-directed the film which stars David Leon, Emma Pierson, Bronson Webb and Daon Broni. Laura Hastings Smith produced, while Augusto Romano executive produced. 7/6

Aidan Quinn has signed on to top-line “Dark Matter,”* joining Meryl Streep, Blair Brown and Liu Yi. The biopic drama thriller co-written by Chen Shi-Zheng and Billy Shebar is about a brilliant Chinese college pupil who goes postal when his professor does not accept his thesis for political reason, thus preventing the student from acquiring his degree and moving on with his life. Chen is directing. Sister-soldier Janet Yang (American Sterling Prods.) is producing, along with Mary Salter and Andrea Miller (Saltmill LLC). Kirk D'Amico and Linda Chiu (Myriad Pictures) are executive producing. 7/6

*Script Radar first encountered this project couple of years ago when it lost its initial financing, but it seems the scribes persevered and the film is now being funded. Kudos!

July 5 2006

2006-07-05T09:29:00.000-07:00

First, Script Radar gives mad props to my friends Lorena David and Mark Roberts whose comedy "Strangers With Candy" received "two thumbs up" from Ebert & Roeper's "At The Movies." Its run has been expanded and if you live in L.A., you can catch the film at Sunset Laemmle 5. Go now!

While we're on the subject, Script Radar would also like to wish Roger Ebert a hasty recovery from his recent health worries. Get well soon, my brother!

Now, on with the news...

Newby Brandon Murphy has sold his spec “Pony Bush” to Dimension Films. The broad comedy follows an amiable slacker named Chucky “The Poodle” Fife who gets a job at the snotty Pony Bush country club where he – with the help of his “Man Friday” Honey Comb Love – tries to woo a sexy young heiress away from her jerk-off boyfriend, while at the same time teaching the kids at the club that winning isn't everything. Broken Lizard is in talks to produce. 7/5

Xenon Pictures has picked up domestic rights to the anthology film “Snoop Dogg’s Hood of Horror.” With episodes written by Jacob Hair, Chris Kobin, Jonathan McHugh and Tim Sullivan, the horror/comedy follows the afterlife suffered by denizens of an urban neighborhood as determined by their behavior while alive. The film was directed by Stacy Title and stars Snoop Dogg, Ernie Hudson, Danny Trejo, Method Man, Jason Alexander and Billy Dee Williams, as well as star athletes Lamar Odom, Tayshaun Prince, Teyo Johnson, Justin Fargas and Glenn Cadrez. The project’s producers are Ted Chung, Jonathan McHugh, Martin Shore, Tim Sullivan and Christopher Tuffin. Snoop executive produced. 7/5

Michelle Monaghan is joining Ben Stiller in “Seven Day Itch” for Dreamworks. The comedy inspired by Neil Simon’s “The Heartbreak Kid” was written and will be directed by Peter and Bobby Farrelly, and is about a guy who suddenly has doubts about being married while on his honeymoon with the woman he impulsively wed in a quickie ceremony. Bradley Thomas (Conundrum Entertainment) and Ted Field (Radar) are producing, while John Davis and Joe Rosenberg are executive producing. 7/5

America Ferrera is reprising/expanding her role in “Hacia La Oscuridad” (“Toward Darkness”) for multi-hyphenate Antonio Negret. Based on the writer-director’s USC 12-minute student film, the real-time bilingual action-thriller takes place in Colombia and is about a SNAFU* that occurs between the kidnappers, the victim, and the cops during the last 90 minutes of hostage-ransom swap. Negret is producing along with Craig Anderson, Luiza Ricupero and Brett Etre. Ferrera is executive producing with Daniel Negret, Randy Holleschau, Justin Goodman and Alex Yanev. 7/5

*For those who haven’t seen “Saving Private Ryan” – “SNAFU” is Army-speak for “Situation normal, all f*cked up.”

Jeffrey Wright, Zoe Saldana, Melvin Van Peebles, Latanya Richardson, Anthony Chisholm, Saul Rubinek, Jamie Hector, and Sean Blakemore have signed on to star in “Blackout” for Caswell Communications, Inc. and Uptown Movie Network. The drama written and directed by Jerry LaMothe is about how the massive 2003 New York power outage affected the people who live in a particular Brooklyn neighborhood. Lamothe is also producing, along with Judith Aidoo. 7/5

June 30 2006

2006-06-30T08:09:00.000-07:00

Daryl Goodrich has sold the feature version of his five minute short film “Inspiration” (a.k.a. “Legend of the Rings”) to Nickelodeon Films. The sports family film is being written by Goodrich and Caroline Rowland, and will focus on kids who are inspired to do great things by the Olympics. The short was a huge factor in London winning the bid to host the 2012 Olympics. Goodrich will direct the film, while Rowland will produce. 6/30

That’s it for today, my fellow Americans! Have a safe, fun and patriotic Independence Day!

June 29 2006

2006-06-29T09:30:00.000-07:00

Robert Nelson Jacobs has been hired to script a draft of the Untitled Hunter Scott Project (a.k.a. “U.S.S. Indianapolis” and “The Good Soldier”) at Universal Pictures. The biopic is loosely based on 12-year old student Scott Hunter, whose high school term paper led to the exoneration of Capt. Charles Butler McVay III, who was initially court-marshaled for sinking the U.S.S. Indianapolis during WWII.* J.J. Abrams is attached to direct, while Chris Moore is producing. 6/29

*Remember Quint's monologue in "Jaws"?

Shane Morris has sold his pitch “Redneck Games” to New Line Cinema. The comedy follows a disgraced Olympic athlete who competes in the real life Redneck Games, which were created as an alternate version of the ’96 Atlanta Summer games. Mike Karz is producing with Josh Weinstock. 6/29

Don Roos has been hired to pen the film version of John Grogan’s memoir “Marley & Me” for Fox 2000. The family-friendly comedy bestseller is about the author’s 13-year relationship with his incorrigible dog, Marley. Gil Netter is producing. Rodney Ferrell is shepherding the project for the studio. 6/29

Julian Goldberger has been hired to pen “The Marfa Lights” for Burnt Orange Prods. and Sunflower Prods. The coming-of-age drama loosely based on George Sand’s 18th Century French novel “Le Petite Fadette” is about twin brothers in Texas – one is a “coyote” smuggling Latino immigrants into America illegally, while the other is an Iraq War veteran who seeks help from a Mexican mystic healer. Brian Presley has signed on to star. Carlos Carrera will direct. Presley, Terrence Malick, Ed Pressman, Will Wallace, Carolyn Pfeiffer, and Tom Schatz are producing. 6/29

In drug-addiction news: First, playwright Craig Lucas and historian Michael Horowitz have been hired to pen an Untitled Timothy Leary Project for Appian Way. The biopic drama will track the counter-culture icon’s life from being a West Point cadet in the 40s to becoming the LSD-popping hippy in the 60s. Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Simpson (Appian Way) are producing, along with Hillard Elkins (Elkins Entertainment).

Next, Alan Parker has signed on to helm “Ice at the Bottom of the World” for New Line. The family drama written by Mark Richard (based on his own short story) is about a Navy captain who reluctantly retires for health reasons, only to return home to the turbulence of dealing with a heroin-addicted daughter who is the single mother of a biracial child. Charlize Theron is starring. Parker (Dirty Hands) will also produce with Theron (Denver & Delilah Films), along with Bob Berney (Picturehouse).

Finally, Marcia Gay Harden has enlisted her own daughter Eulala Grace Scheel to star with her, Marian Seldes, Michael Gaston and Candace Buckley in “Home.” The road family drama set during the 60s written and to be directed by Mary Haverstick is about a mother who takes her daughter on a road trip in order to break her family’s apparent streak of addiction. Haverstick, Michele Mercure and Chad Taylor are producing, while Paul and Judy Ware are executive producing. 6/29

Dyanne Stempel and Jennifer Robinson have sold their pitch “Frenemies” to Paramount Pictures for low- to mid-six figures. The dark comedy is about the lows two former BFFs will sink after they become arch-foes. Caitlin Scanlon (Pounce Pictures) is producing. Alli Shearmur is shepherding for the studio. 6/29

Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman have signed on to top-line “The Bucket List” for Zadan/Meron Prods. The buddy road comedy scripted by Justin Zackham follows two terminally ill old dudes who decide to bounce from their cancer ward to raise some hell in Monaco. Rob Reiner is directing. Craig Zadan, Neil Meron and Alan Greisman are producing, with Zackham and Travis Knox executive producing. 6/29

Anne Rice has sold the film rights of her novel “Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt” to Good News Holdings. The author will pen the drama adaptation herself, which dramatizes the life lived by the seven-year old Jesus as he and his Jewish mother and father trek from Egypt to Nazareth. George Barna. David Kirkpatrick, Christopher Chisholm, Martha Cotton, Thom Black, and Rich Christopher are producing. 6/29

June 28 2006

2006-06-28T09:38:00.000-07:00

Alison Eastwood has been hired to direct “Rails and Ties” by Warner Independent Pictures. The drama written by Micky Levy is about the emotional turmoil experienced by two families after a woman commits suicide. Peer Oppenheimer and Barrett Stuart (Malpaso Prods.) will produce. Paul Federbush is shepherding for the studio. Howard Entertainment represents Eastwood. B.S. Prods. represents Micky Levy. 6/28

Auteur Brian Jun has been hired to write and direct a biopic about songwriter Jeff Buckley. Considered one of the brightest stars of musical universe by the likes of Elton John, Bob Dylan and Paul McCartney, Buckley died suddenly and tragically from an accidental drowning in 1997. Mary Guibert (Buckley’s mother) and Michelle Sy are producing. 6/28

Martin Garner has been hired to pen the film version of Sally Macleod’s novel “Passing Strange” by thesp-turned-producer Megan Mullally. The drama thriller set in the South is about a white woman who isn’t appreciated by her husband, so she embarks on an affair with a black laborer. Then things turn deadly. 6/28

Brian Sieve has sold his spec “Ambrose Fountain” to Craven/Maddalena Films. The horror thriller is about the strange occurrences experienced by the owners of a California winery that are being caused by a deep dark secret buried in the past. Magnet Management and Stone, Meyer, Genow, Smelkinson & Binder represent Sieve. 6/28

J. Michael Straczynski has sold his spec “The Changeling” to Universal Pictures. The thriller based on real events is about a woman who starts to believe that her son, who was kidnapped and then returned, is not who (or what?) he seems. Ron Howard and Brian Grazer (Imagine Entertainment) are producing, with Howard possibly directing. 6/28

Sean Bean and Tilda Swinton have signed on to top-line “Come Like Shadows” for Milk & One Sugar production company. Written by Vincent Regan, the period drama is a retelling of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” which the filmmakers promise will be accessible to contemporary audiences. John Maybury will helm the project, while Nick Saunders will produce. Steven Sodenbergh is executive producing. 6/28

Antonio Banderas has been cast alongside Collin Hanks, Annette Bening and Ron Perlman in “Homeland Security” by Millennium Films. The action thriller (with a smidgen of comedy thrown in) written and to be directed by George Gallo is described as being in the vein Alfred Hitchcock’s “To Catch a Thief.” Avi Lerner, Julie Lott, Heidi Jo Markel, David Permut, and Richard Salvatore are producing. 6/28

Duane Adler has been hired to pen an untitled dance film for Mayhem Project. The story will follow a young woman who discovers brand new choreography that helps her realize her dream of becoming a superstar dancer. Billie Woodruff is in final talks to helm the film. Anthony Mosawi and Brad Luff are producing. Jennifer Rogers is shepherding the project for the company. 6/28

June 27 2006

2006-06-27T09:32:00.000-07:00

Actors Chow Yun-Fat and Gong Li, and writer-director Zhang Yimou are teaming up to bring Cao Yu’s play "Curse of the Golden Flower" to the silver screen. The romantic martial-arts drama is a Chinese Middle Age tale about the familial, yet epic conflict between a king, his queen and their three sons. William Kong, Weiping Zhang and Zhang Yimou are producing. Sony Pictures Classics will distribute domestically. 6/27

Writer Aline Brosh McKenna has been hired to adapt Allison Pearson’s bestselling book “I Don’t Know How She Does It” by the Weinstein Co. The slice-of-life drama-comedy in the vein of “Bridget Jones’ Diary” follows a driven female hedge-fund manager who balances her hectic business life with being the “perfect” wife and mother. David Frankel is attached to helm. Sydney Pollack and Anthony Minghella (Mirage Enterprises) are producing. 6/27

Real-life sweeties (eww) Orlando Bloom and Kate Bosworth have signed on to star in “Seasons of Dust” for writer-director (and actor) Tim Blake Nelson. The drama thriller takes place during the Great Depression, with the pair playing a female rape victim and a male escaped convict who must elude hired killers out to exact vengeance on the girl. Christopher Eberts, Eric Gitter, Kia Jam, Anthony Rhulen, Chris Roberts and Peter Schwerin are all producing. Ethan and Joel Coen, and Sue Jett are executive producing. 6/27

Writer-director Rawson Marshall Thurber has signed on to adapt Michael Chabon’s novel “The Mysteries of Pittsburgh” for Groundswell Productions. The coming-of-age drama-comedy set during the mid-80s follows a recent college graduate who is befriended by a small group of quirky big city hispsters who affect and influence the protagonist’s transition into adulthood. Peter Sarsgarrd, Sienna Miller and Max Minghella are starring. Michael London, Jason Ajax Mercer and Pete Chiarelli are producing the project. 6/27

June 26 2006

2006-06-26T08:25:00.000-07:00

Gerard Butler and Steven Strait have signed on to top-line “Priest” for Screen Gems. The post-Apocalyptic horror film adapted by Cory Goodman from the Tokyopop graphic novel by Min-Woo Hyung is about a priest, young sheriff and priestess who track down vampires who have abducted the priest’s niece. Andrew Douglas is directing. Michael De Luca, Sam Raimi, Josh Donen and Mitchell Peck are producing. 6/26

Scott Westerfeld has sold the film rights to his novel “Uglies” to 20th Century Fox. The young adult fantasy is the first of a trilogy about a 16-year old girl who is denied an operation to make her “pretty” unless she infiltrates an anti-social group of peers who reject the operation themselves. The follow-up titles are “Pretties” and “Specials.” The project is out to writers. John and Jordan Davis will produce. 6/26

June 23 2006

2006-06-23T09:34:00.000-07:00

In Warner Bros. news: First, Zach Snyder has been hired to helm the big screen adaptation of the DC Comics graphic novels “Watchmen” by the Burbank studio. Created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, and adapted by Alex Tse, the post-Apocalyptic series follows the ultra-violent superhero Rorschach as he investigates the murders of his former Crimebusters teammates. Larry Gordon and Lloyd Levin are producing.

Second, Shane Morris has sold his pitch “Committed to Life” to WB. The romantic action comedy is based on true events in which the FBI invites mobsters to a wedding as part of an elaborate sting operation, but in this instance two opposite-sex undercover agents start to fall for each other, compromising their mission. Bob Cooper (Landscape Entertainment) is producing. 6/23

Matthew McConaughey is circling two comedies at New Line to star in: the first is the supernatural romantic comedy (which was in turn-around from Disney) "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" written by Scott Moore and John Lucas about a committed bachelor who gets visited by the spirits of his ex-girlfriends. Jon Shestack will produce.

The second project is “The Grackle” written by Mike Arnold and Chris Poole. The raucous laffer is about a New Orleans barroom brawler who hires himself out for $250-a-pop to settle disputes for his clients. McConaughey is producing with Gus and Mark Gustawes (j.k. livin’ productions). 6/23

Michael Caleo has been hired to pen the film version of Tonino Benacquista’s book “Malavita” by EuropaCorp. The fish-out-of-water crime drama is about an American mafia chief who is sequestered to Normandy, France by the FBI’s Witness Protection Program, but instead of lying low he starts to impose himself on the locals and starts causing problems. Luc Besson and Pierre-Ange la Pogam are producing. 6/23

Tornasol Films has acquired Spanish-region distribution rights to writer-director Paul Auster’s “The Inner Life of Martin Frost.” Based on a character from the auteur’s own novel “The Book of Illusion,” the magical realism drama is about an accomplished novelist on a countryside retreat who wakes up next to a beautiful woman whom he doesn’t know. Irene Jacob and David Thewlis are starring. Gerardo Herrero will produce, while Paolo Branco and Mariela Besuievsky will serve as executive producers. 6/23

It's the weekend, fools! Go out and eat Dim Sum...

June 22 2006

2006-06-22T09:04:00.000-07:00

Susannah Grant has been hired to write a drama tentatively titled “Imagining Beethoven” by DreamWorks. Based on a series of LA Times articles by Steve Lopez, the biopic will be about Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, a Julliard-trained violinist whose mental illness drove him to homelessness in Los Angeles’ skid row. Lopez helped Ayers rise from his life of despair. Gary Foster will produce the project. Mark Sourian is shepherding for the studio. CAA represents Grant. 6/22

Tony Jordan has been hired to pen the big screen of the BBC TV show “Hustle” by Fox 2000. The ensemble crime series follows the elaborate and audacious exploits of a colorful British con artist crew. Bharat Nalluri, Paul Webster, Jane Featherstone and Simon Crawford-Collins are producing. 6/22

Andrea Berloff has been hired to write a biopic about the Gucci clan by Paramount Pictures. The drama will probably show the scandalous soap-operatic plots by the fashionista family members against one another, including tax fraud and skullduggery. Ridley Scott is attached to direct. Giannina Facio will produce with Scott. 6/22

Gary Cole has been tapped to star in “The American Pastime.” The indie drama written by Desmond Nakano tells the story of two American families – one Japanese, the other Anglo – that turn to baseball and jazz to help cope with life at a Utah internment camp during WWII. Nakano will helm the film. David Skinner, Barry Rosenbush and Tom Gorai (Shadowcatcher Prods.) are producing. 6/22

Mike Petzhold has sold his script “Only Ever You” to NALA Films. The Latino romantic comedy is about a widower who finds love. Emilio Diez Barroso and Darlene Caamano are producing. 6/22

June 21 2006 - Part II

2006-06-21T10:23:00.000-07:00

More Natalie Portman news: The “object-of-my-undying-affection” is in talks to star in “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay” for Paramount Pictures. Written by Michael Chabon and based on his own Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the drama is set in pre-WWII NY as two Jewish cousins use the “real life” people and events that surround them to create the Golden Age comic superhero The Escapist. Stephen Daldry is directing, while Scott Rudin is producing. 6/21

Jorge Olguin has been hired (because of his own persistence) to direct the film version of the video game “Clock Tower” for Mayhem Project. The adaptation was written by Jake Wade Wall and is about a young woman who discovers a horrific supernatural truth in her family’s past when she goes home, despite her mother’s warning not to return. Anthony Mosawi and Brad Luff are producing. Tim Kwok is executive producing. Jennifer Rogers is overseeing the project for the company. 6/21

June 21 2006 - Part I

2006-06-21T08:26:00.000-07:00

Natalie Portman and Eric Bana are in talks to star in “The Other Boleyn Girl” for Columbia Pictures. Based on Philippa Gregory’s historical novel and adapted by Peter Morgan, the drama set in 16th century England shows the fierce rivalry between sisters Mary and Anne Boleyn as they both try win Henry VIII’s heart to become his queen. Justin Chadwick is set to helm. David Thompson (BBC Films) and Alison Owen (Ruby Films) are producing, while Scott Rudin is executive producing. Amy Baer and Rachel O’Connor are shepherding for the studio. CAA, Brillstein-Grey and attorney George Sheanshang represent Portman. WMA and attorney Robert Offer represent Bana. UTA and ICM London represent Chadwick. 6/21

Thom Jones has been hired to adapt Larry Brown’s novel “The Rabbit Factory” by Lionsgate. The depression-era drama that takes place in Memphis and northern Mississippi follows the passionate and brutal lives of gangsters, hookers and other wretched characters. Vondie Curtis-Hall is directing, while Braxton Pope and Andrew Weiner (Ithaka Entertainment) are producing. 6/21

Franc Reyes has sold his spec “Illegal Tender” to Universal Pictures. The crime drama thriller is set in Puerto Rico and follows a young Latino and his mother as they go on the run from the criminals who killed his father. Reyes is also going to direct. Rick Gonzalez, Wanda De Jesus and Zoe Saldana are starring. John Singleton is producing. 6/21

John Romano has been hired to pen a draft of the film version of Jack Greenberg’s autobiography “Crusaders in the Court” by New Line Cinema and Participant Productions. Previous versions were written by Paul Redford and Lawrence O’Donnell. The drama follows the 1954 courtroom battle Brown v. Board of Education fought by Greenberg and a young Thurgood Marshall to end racial segregation in schools. Bob Cooper and Ricky Strauss are producing. 6/21

Ryan Jaffe has sold his pitch “Change” to Fox. The comedy involves a selfish man who is forced by supernatural circumstances to become more generous (of course, against his will). Jon Berg and Todd Komarnicki (Guy Walks into a Bar) are producing, while Matt Weinberg is executive producing. 6/21

In “Bygones-Are-Bygone” news: Billy Bob Thornton has signed on to top-line “Peace Is Like A River” for Warner Brothers. Kathy McWorter adapted Leif Enger’s drama novel which follows a Midwestern boy who flees after he kills two bullies and is convicted by the law -- and the boy's father, who is torn between turning his child in or helping him escape. Brad Pitt (got it?), Kit Golden and David Brown are producing. 6/21

June 20 2006

2006-06-20T09:22:00.000-07:00

Today's "shout out" goes to Zipporah P. who is moving to Chicago to focus on writing her plays. Script Radar wishes her the best of luck on her venture and looks forward to reading about her artistic success soon!

Now on with the news...

In Regency Enterprise news: First, Adam Grossman has sold his spec “Wardogs” to the Fox-based financier. The action adventure is about a quartet of Vietnam vets who reunite for a search-and-rescue mission when their former platoon leader becomes missing-in-action in Turkey. Andrew Lazar will produce.

Second, Joe Ballarini has been hired to pen “Witch Hunters” by Arnon Milchan’s shingle. The supernatural adventure film will be in the vein of “Pirates of the Caribbean” with the world of sorcery as its milieu. Dave Meyers is attached to direct. Arnold and Anne Kopelson are producing, while Sherryl Clark will executive produce. 6/20

Joe D'Ambrosia and Tom Teves have sold their spec “Mother of Invention” to Walt Disney Pictures. The family comedy is loosely based on a real single mother from San Francisco, whose children don’t know is a secret agent (the writers met her at a party). Andrew Gunn and Stacey Attanasio-Gonsalves are producing. 6/20

Silicon Valley giant Larry Ellison has committed to provide financing for the WWI aviation epic “Flyboys.” Written by Phil Sears & Blake T. Evans, and David S. Ward, the action war film chronicles the experiences of the Lafayette Escadrille squadron, which was made up of daring American flyers who volunteered for the French military before the U.S. entered the European conflict. The project is being directed* and produced by Dean Devlin (Electric Entertainment), along with Kearie Peak and Marc Roskin. Among those starring are James Franco, Tcheky Karyo, Jean Reno and Ellison's son David (sweet). 6/20

*Correction: Tony Bill is directing this. Je suis désolé .

Josh Lucas has agreed to top-line “Smart” for Nash Entertainment. Charlie Peters wrote the script for the biopic about David Smart, the germ-phobic and eccentric lothario who founded GQ and Esquire magazines. Lucas will also produce with his brother Devon Maurer (2 Bridges Prods.), along with Bruce Nash and Bob Kosberg. 6/20

Sony Pictures Classics has acquired the U.S. and Canadian rights to the French hit “The Valet” (“La Doublure”). Written and directed by Francis Veber (and soon to be remade by the Farrelly brothers), the comedy is about a mogul who is caught kissing his lover on camera -- so in order to avoid an expensive divorce, he bribes a valet to pretend to be his mistress’ lover. The Gaelic version stars Daniel Auteuil, Alice Taglioni, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Gad Elmaleh. Gaumont produced the project. 6/20

In Paramount Pictures news: First, Owen Wilson has signed on to star in “Drillbit Taylor” for the Melrose Ave. studio. The action comedy was written by Chris Brown and Seth Rogen (based on an original 70-page "script-ment" by John Hughes) and is about two wimpy high school freshmen whose effort to repel a bully backfires on them when they hire a bumbling bargain-basement mercenary. Steven Brill is in talks to direct. Judd Apatow, Susan Arnold and Donna Roth are producing.

Second, Steven Schneider (Room 101) has signed a first-look deal with Blumhouse Prods., which is based at Paramount. The company will focus on horror and thriller films. Among those already being developed by Schneider are: “Home” written by Adam Alleca about a criminal who suffers from terrifying visions while under house arrest in a cabin in the middle of the woods (a Craven/Maddalena Films co-production ); and “Fantastic Planet” which is a CG/live-action adaptation of the surreal animated classic (along with Circle of Confusion and Di Bonaventura Pictures). 6/20

June 19 2006

2006-06-19T09:29:00.000-07:00

First, Script Radar would like to give a "shout out" to Ellen H. for inviting us to the cool-as-hell party last Saturday night - where we had a chance to chat with Andrew Cohen who recently sold the feature version pitch to his short comedy film "American Storage" starring Steve Carell (click here for a flashback). The celebrities on-hand included "Freaks and Geeks" alum John Francis Daley and Samm Levine, and "Numb3rs" star David Krumholtz. More from Andrew on Script Radar soon.

Now on with the news...

Don Handfield has sold his pitch “Valentine’s Day” to DreamWorks Pictures for low- to mid-six figures. The romantic comedy is basically like “Groundhog’s Day” – except this version has a dueling couple who get stuck in a time loop. David Beaubaire and Chloe Dan are shepherding for the studio. 6/19

Nora and Delia Ephron have been hired to write the film version of Wendelin Van Draanen’s book “Flipped.” The young adult romance/coming-of-age novel follows two separate and distinct perspectives – that of a teen girl who’s smitten with the boy-next-door ever since his family moved to her neighborhood, and the boy who thinks the girl is kind of weird. Nora is attached to direct the film. Tracy Trench and Kelly Gonda (East of Doheny) are producing. 6/19

Video director Jamie Thraves has signed on to helm the film version of the biography “Torn Apart: The Life of Ian Curtis” by Mick Middles and Lindsay Reade. The book has been adapted by Tom Browne and chronicles the life of Joy Division’s trouble and inevitably suicidal lead singer – in particular his efforts before hitting it big in the music industry. Amy Hobby and Neal Weisman are producing the project. 6/19

Taraji P Henson, Cedric the Entertainer, and Mike Epps are joining Don Cheadle and Chiwetel Ejiofor in “Talk To Me” for Pelagius Films. Kasi Lemmon, Rick Famuyiwa and Michael Genet all did versions of the drama biopic script that follows the life of Ralph Waldo “Petey” Green, an African American ex-con who turns his life around and becomes a controversial 60s Washington D.C. radio talk show host. Lemmons is directing the film. Sidney Kimmel and Mark Gordon are producing the project. 6/19

June 16 2006

2006-06-16T09:05:00.000-07:00

Tiffany Zehnal has sold her spec “Shotgun Wedding” to DreamWorks for mid-six figures. The romantic comedy is about a woman who forces her boyfriend into marrying her in Las Vegas. My girl Kira Goldberg is shepherding the project for the studio. CAA and Relevant Entertainment Group represent Zehnal. 6/16

Josh Hartnett is in talks to star in “30 Days of Night” for Columbia Pictures. The horror-thriller is based on a comic book created by writer Steve Niles and artist Ben Templesmith, and has been adapted by Stuart Beattie and Brian Nelson. The story takes place in Alaska during the dead of winter, when the sun rarely comes out, making it the perfect habitat for vampires. The protagonists are a small town sheriff and his wife, who have to save the lives of the locals. Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert (Ghost House Pictures) are producing. Mike Richardson (Dark Horse Entertainment), Joe Drake and Nathan Kahane are executive producing. Shannon Gaulding and Adam Milano are shepherding for the studio. CAA and attorney David Webber represent Hartnett. 6/16

Cyan Pictures has acquired North American distribution rights to “The Oh in Ohio.” Adam Wierzbianski wrote the sex comedy (from a story by Billy Kent and Sarah Bird) that follows a woman who leaves her perfect life and husband in pursuit of the thing that she’s always wanted but never had – and orga-nasm. Kent directed the film that stars Parker Posey, Paul Rudd, Mischa Barton, Liza Minnelli, Heather Graham and Danny DeVito – and my next door neighbor John Sloan (big props!). The project was produced by Miranda Bailey, Francey Grace, and Amy Salko Robertson, with Debra Grieco, Matthew Leutwyler and Jun Tan executive producing. 6/16

Oscar™ winner Philip Seymour Hoffman is joining Oscar™ winner Tom Hanks and Oscar™ winner Julia Roberts in “Charlie Wilson’s War” for Universal Pictures. Adapted by Emmy™ winner Aaron Sorkin from the book by George Crile, the based-on-true-events drama follows two rabid Cold Warriors – a Texas congressman and a CIA agent – who armed the anti-Soviet Mujahideen in Afghanistan during the 80s. Oscar™ winner Mike Nichols is directing. Hanks and Emmy™ winner Gary Goetzman (Playtone) are producing. 6/16

Lucy Liu and Cillian Murphy have signed on to top-line “Watching the Detectives” for Plum Pictures. Script Radar doesn’t know what the romantic comedy written and to be directed by Paul Soter is about, but we’re sure it’s a hoot. Daniela Taplin Lundberg, Galt Niederhoffer, Celine Rattray and Reagan Silber are producing. 6/16

It's Friday -- enjoy the World Cup, bitches. Go U.S.A.! Go Korea!

June 15 2006

2006-06-15T09:19:00.000-07:00

Best. News. Ever.: Hong Kong animation company Imagi has optioned the big screen rights to the classic Japanese cartoon series “Gatchaman” (which as all you fellow nerds out there know was called “Battle of the Planets” stateside). The CG-animated sci-fi action adventure will be penned and helmed by Kevin Monroe, and will follow the heroic avian-inspired G-Force quintet (Mark! Princess! Tiny! Keyop! and Jason!) and their trusty robot 7-Zark-7, as they battle the evil Galactor. 6/15

In Paramount Pictures news: Max Brooks has sold the film rights for his upcoming novel “World War Z” to the Melrose Ave. studio for high six figures. The post-Apocalyptic sci-fi drama thriller is set 10 years after a war between virus-infected zombies and non-infected humans, with its protagonists recounting their tales of survival during the cataclysmic conflict. Brad Pitt (Plan B) is going to produce the project, and possibly star [beating out Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way in a fierce bidding war]. The project is out to writers.

Caltech physicist Kip Thorne has also sold a project to Paramount, an untitled pitch involving his theories about gravity fields and worm holes. The sci-fi adventure film will be about a group of explorers who venture into unexplored regions of space, using worm holes as their mode of travel. Steven Spielberg is attached to direct, while Lynda Obst is going to produce. This project is also out to writers. 6/15

Boaz Yakin has signed on to write and direct a fresh version of the comic hero “Conan the Barbarian” for Warner Bros. Created by Robert E. Howard, the Hyborian Age fantasy adventure follows the titular hero as he vanquishes evil wizards, terrifying monsters, and numerous interlopers -- as well as finding time to ravish comely (and busty) maidens. Irving Azoff, Jon Jashni, Richard Alexander and Akiva Goldsman are producing, while Peter Sederowsky and Fredrik Malmberg (Paradox Entertainment) are executive producing. 6/15

Sony Pictures Classics has acquired the domestic distribution rights to “The Quiet” (formerly known as “Dot”). The dark, sex-tinged comedy drama written by Adbi Nazemian and Micah Schraft follows a mute/deaf orphan teenage girl named Dot who moves in with her godparents, and discovers disturbing secrets hidden in the shadows of the seemingly normal suburbs. Jamie Babbit directed the film. Camilla Belle, Edie Falco, Martin Donovan, Elisha Cuthbert and Shawn Ashmore all star. Joel Michaely, Carolyn Pfeiffer, Tom Schatz, Andrea Sperling and Holly Wiersma produced the project. 6/15

Kevin Pollak has signed on to adapt the novel “3 Nights in August” by Buzz Bissinger for the big screen. The slice-of-life sports comedy reveals the quirky side of baseball and takes place during a 2003 three-game series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs. Pollak will also produce, along with John Loar (Red Bird Cinema), and Kevin Frakes (Palm-Star Entertainment). Bissinger will executive produce with Tony La Russa, Sriram Das and Stephan Paternot. 6/15

Rutger Hauer has been hired to direct “Changing Fortunes” for Alba Films. The drama biopic written by Annie Perkins and Russ Haan reveals the untold good deeds done by Dutch banker Wally van Hall, who helped 80,000 families survive during World War II. 6/15

June 14 2006

2006-06-14T09:30:00.000-07:00

Markus Zusak has optioned his novel “The Book Thief” to Fox 2000. The coming-of-age young adult bestseller set in WWII is narrated by Death as he follows the life of an orphaned German girl who steals and reads books to cope with the pandemonium of life during wartime. Karen Rosenfeld is producing. The project is out to writers. 6/14

Dianne Houston has sold her biopic pitch about Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliot to Universal Pictures. It follows the supa dupa fly rapper’s ascent up to the hip-hop world’s stratosphere. Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal (Tribeca Films) are producing, along with Mona Scott. 6/14

In sex movie news: First, The Works has snapped up the U.K. distribution rights to “Shortbus.” The controversial drama written and directed by John Cameron Mitchell follows an eclectic mix of characters/actors having hot steamy sex. The project was produced by Howard Gertler and Tim Perell – with an original score by Yo La Tengo*!

*Sweet!

Second, Roadside Attractions and Samuel Goldwyn Films have acquired “Boynton Beach Club.” The not-so-controversial comedy written by Susan Seidelman and Shelly Gitlow (from an original story by Florence, Susan’s mother) follows an eclectic mix of senior-aged characters having hot steamy sex (though not as explicitly as in “Shortbus”*). The project was produced by the Seidelman girls, and executive produced by Deborah Van Eck and Blair Rosenfeld. 6/14

**Script Radar hopes.

Christian Slater, Stella Arroyave, Lisa Pepper, Kevin McCarthy, Gavin Grazer, Aaron Tucker, Lana Antonova John Turturro, Camryn Manheim, Jeffrey Tambor, S. Epatha Merkerson, Fionnula Flanagan, Christopher Lawford and Michael Clarke Duncan have all signed on to top-line “Slipstream,” Anthony Hopkin’s directorial bow. The dark comedy also penned, starring and to be produced by Hopkins is about a screenwriter who enters a vortex where space, time and reality take a tumble. Also producing are Arroyave and Robert Katz. 6/14

Roselyn Sanchez is joining Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in “The Game Plan” for Walt Disney Pictures. The comedy written by Nichole Millard, Kathryn Price and Audrey Wells is about an NFL quarterback whose bachelor high-life is interrupted by the arrival of the 7-year old daughter he never knew he had. Andy Finkman is attached to direct. Mark Ciardi and Gordon Gray (natch) are producing. 6/14

June 13 2006

2006-06-13T09:06:00.000-07:00

In Paramount News: First, Tim Burton has signed on to helm “Sweeney Todd” for the Melrose Ave. studio. Based on Stephen Sondheim’s Broadway musical and adapted for the big screen by John Logan with a musical libretto by Hugh Wheeler, the thriller is about a demoniacal barber in London’s Fleet Street who slits the throats of his customers/victims, while his partner-in-crime Mrs. Lovett cuts them up and uses them as pie-filling. Johnny Depp is in talks to star. Sam Mendes is producing.

Second, Eminem (a.k.a. Marshall Bruce Mathers III) has signed on to star in and to produce a big screen, contempo version of the TV series “Have Gun – Will Travel” also for Paramount. The action drama will follow the same path as the CBS original, but instead of taking place in the Western frontier, the adaptation will probably be set in Detroit’s mean streets and have the rapper/thespian be a do-gooder bounty hunter. Jimmy Iovine, Paul Rosenberg, Stuart Parr and Gene Kirkwood are also producing. 6/13

Matthew Ryan Hoge has been hired by Universal Pictures to adapt the short story “The Moment They Were Waiting For” by Ken Kalfus. The horror story is set into motion by a murderer’s execution, which causes people to get visions of their own horrible and inevitable demise. David Heyman is producing. Donna Langley and Kristin Lowe are shepherding for the studio. 6/13

Paul McGuigan has been hired by The Weinstein Co. to direct “Four Knights,” a dark comedy set in Medieval England. Paul Webb is scripting the project based on his own play “Four Knights in Knaresboro,” which is about the titular noble retainers who were sent by King Henry II to broker a truce with his rival Thomas Beckett (the Archbishop of Canterbury). Unfortunately, the bumbling quartet instead accidentally killed the powerful religious leader and ended up going on the run. Laurence Bowen (Feelgood Fiction) is producing, while Colin Vaines is executive producing. Rhodri Thomas is shepherding for TWC. 6/13

June 12 2006

2006-06-12T09:13:00.000-07:00

Angela Robinson and Alex Martinez Kondracke have sold their pitch “Mi Casa, Su Casa” to Walt Disney Pictures. The Latino comedy is about a family that has to deal with culture clash. Kondracke will direct, as well as produce with Robinson and Mario Iscovich. LouAnne Brickhouse and Josh Simon are shepherding for the studio. 6/12

In animation news: First, Lionsgate has acquired the North American distribution rights to the CG family comedy film “Happily N’Ever After.” Robert Moreland wrote the script for the revisionist take on a familiar fable that has Cinderella (“Ella” in this version) leading a resistance force against evil-doers being marshaled by her evil stepmother. Sarah Michelle Gellar, Sigourney Weaver, Freddie Prinze Jr., George Carlin, Wallace Shawn and Andy Dick lend their voice talent to the project. Paul J. Bolger directed. John H. Williams produced, while Ralph Kamp and Louise Goodsil (Odyssey Entertainment) executive produced with Rainer Soehnlein (BFC Berliner Film Companie).

Second, Leon Benvenuti and Steve Rudnick have sold their CG animation pitch “Mayfly” to Paramount Pictures/Nickelodeon Films. The family film will be about the unlikely friendship between the titular insect – that has a very short lifespan – and a tortoise – which can live up to a century. Julia Pistor will produce the project. 6/12

Stephen Herek has been hired to write and direct “Einstein’s Children” by Gold Circle Films and Thunder Road Films. Based on the autobiographical book “A Smile as Big as the Moon” by Mike Kersjes, the drama is about a teacher of "special needs" kids who gets his students into NASA’s Space Camp, despite the fact that the program is normally for gifted students. Paul Brooks and Basil Iwanyk are producing, while Scott Niemeyer and Norm Waitt are executive producing. 6/12

June 9 2006

2006-06-09T09:28:00.000-07:00

In 2929 Productions news: First, Mark Cuban’s company has set up the thriller “Turistas” with Fox Atomic. Written by Michael Ross and directed by John Stockwell, the film is about college-age American adventurers whose dream vacation of “roughing it” in Brazil turns into nightmare when they find two of their group kidnapped. Josh Duhamel, Melissa George, and Olivia Wilde star in the film. Marc Butan, Scott Steindorff and Bo Zenga are all producing, with Cuban executive producing.

2929 Prods. is also financing another thriller titled “Bloom.” Based on the novel "The Life Before Her Eyes" by Laura Kasischke and adapted for the screen by Emil Stern, the story focuses on a woman who deals with the horrific flashbacks of a Columbine-style massacre from her teen years. Uma Thurman is starring, while Vadim Perelman is directing. Mark Butan, Aimee Peyronnet, Pereleman and Anthony Katagas are producing, while Cuban is executive producing. 6/9

In sibling harmony news: First, Colin and Greg Strause have been hired to direct “Alien vs. Predator 2” by Twentieth Century Fox. Shane Salerno wrote the sci-fi action thriller (with just a sprig of comedy thrown in for good measure) rematch script about a bad-ass alien who goes “all mental” on a predator who was just “walking down the street, totally minding his own business.” John Davis and Robbie Brenner are producing.

Second, Tom and Charlie Guard are in final negotiations to co-helm the English language version of the Korean horror film “A Tale of Two Sisters” for DreamWorks. Craig Rosenberg is adapting the story of two teenage sisters who are tormented by a malicious stepmother and a restless ghost. And guess who’s producing – Roy Lee* and Doug Davison. 6/9

*Slam that soju, bitches!

Universal Pictures has acquired the movie rights to the action thriller comic mini-series “Talent.” Created by writers Christopher Golden and Tom Sneigoski, and artist Paul Azaceta, the graphic serial novels focus on a university professor who survives a plane crash, then discovers that he has absorbed the talents of those who perished. Marc Platt, Ross Richie and Andrew Cosby are producing. Donna Langley, Jeffrey Kirschenbaum and David Ortiz are shepherding the project for the studio. 6/9

John Fusco has been hired by the Weinstein Company to pen the remake of the Japanese classic “The Seven Samurai.” As reported previously by Script Radar, Zhang Ziyi is circling the project to be its star and producer. Michael Cole, Ben Famiglatti and Colin Vaines are shepherding the project for TWC. 6/9

Warner Bros. has acquired the film rights to the novel “Thieves of Baghdad” by Matthew Bogdanos. The autobiographical drama thriller follows the author’s adventures set in the early days of the current Iraq conflict, when the New York Assistant District Attorney was called in to fulfill his Marine reservist duties and ordered to recover Iraqi antiquities looted from the national museum while trying to survive the war. Gale Anne Hurd (Valhalla Motion Pictures) and Legendary are producing the project. 6/9

Q'Orianka Kilcher has signed on to star and produce “The Power of Few” for Steelyard Pictures. Written and to be directed by Leone Marucci, the thriller involves cloning and terrorism. Marucci will also serve as producer, along with Kelly Martin Wagner. 6/9

June 8 2006

2006-06-08T09:35:00.000-07:00

Lionel Chetwynd has been hired to write “Resurrection” by Screen Gems. The New Testament biblical drama tells the story of what happened the moment right after Jesus was crucified and his ascension into heaven 40 days later. 6/8

Robert Cochran, Joel Surnow and Howard Gordon have agreed to draft a big screen version of the popular TV show “24” for Twentieth Century Fox. The trio executive produces the action series. The film will not only take the hero Jack Bauer to foreign locations, and will diverge from the “real time” chronology of the series. Brian Grazer and Keifer Sutherland will also produce. 6/8

Zak Penn has set up his improvisational project “The Grand” with Insomnia Media Group and Eleven Eleven Films. The comedy outlined by and to be directed by Penn takes place at Las Vegas’ Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino and revolves around an international high-stakes no-limit poker tournament. The ad-libberators* are Woody Harrelson, Ray Liotta, Ray Romano, Jason Alexander, Cheryl Hines and Werner Herzog. Jeff Bowler, Bret Saxon, Bobby Schwartz and Ross M. Dinerstein are producing the project, while Matt Bierman and Ari Palitz are executive producing. 6/8

* Not a real word.

Sean Anders and John Morris have sold their spec “She’s out of My League” to DreamWorks for low- to mid-six figures. The romantic comedy is about an AFC† who lands an HB‡ – but his family and friends’ skepticism negŦ the protagonists’ relationship. Jimmy Miller and Eric Gold (Mosaic Media Group) are producing the project. Jeremy Kramer is shepherding the project for DreamWorks. 6/8

† n. “Average Frustrated Chump”
‡ n. “Hot Babe”
Ŧ v. To make someone feel like a chump – orig. “negative”

Walter Mosley has signed a deal to adapt his own novel “Little Scarlet” for HBO Films and Picturehouse. The noire crime thriller that takes place after the 1965 Watts Riots is about the janitor/unlicensed private eye Easy Rawlins and his murderous sidekick Mouse as the duo is hired by the LAPD to solve the murder of a black woman who cohabitated with a White man. Rosalie Swedlin, Debra Martin Chase and Mosley are producing the project. 6/8

Mike Wilson has been hired to rewrite “Bad Dogs” for Level 1 Entertainment. The live action/CG animal comedy was original drafted by Drew Fellman and Mark Pressman and is about an odd couple of dogs who have a series of adventures after playing hooky from obedience school. Rob Minkoff is attached to direct, as well as produce with Jason Clark, Bill Todman Jr., Edward Milstein and Paul Schwake. 6/8

Weirdest. News. Ever.: New Line has committed to remaking the Japanese gonzo film “Battle Royale.” The controversial original was set in a post-apocalyptic future in which extremely violent high school students are sent to an island by the government to literally fight for their lives. Roy Lee± and Neal Moritz are producing the project. 6/8

± Slam the soju, bitches!

June 7 2006

2006-06-07T09:21:00.000-07:00

Hugh Jackman is joining Nicole Kidman in an untitled period epic for Twentieth Century Fox. The romantic-action-adventure set in WWII Australia was written by Stuart Beatty, Ronald Harwood and Baz Luhrmann, and is about a female British aristocrat who hires a rough-and-tumble cattle driver to help her protect her ranch from evil land barons and to drive her cattle across the inhospitable Outback. Luhrmann is directing and producing the project. 6/7

In wine movie news: First, producers Clark Peterson and Elizabeth Fowler have optioned the film rights to journalist George M. Taber’s book “Judgment at Paris,” as well the life rights of British wine connoisseur Steven Spurrier. Peterson and Fowler are planning a movie set in 1976 Paris, when Spurrier arranged for a blind taste test with snobby French experts to see how California wine stacked up against French wine – with the shocking results being that Napa’s 1973 Stag's Leap Cabernet Sauvignon (red) and 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay (white) kicking the French wines' derrières. The project is out to writers, and is being financed by an undisclosed Napa-based wine company.

Second, Here! Films has picked up the worldwide distribution rights to “Race You To The Bottom.” The romantic dramedy written and directed by Russell Brown is about a bisexual male travel writer who invites a female friend to Napa Valley when he is assigned to report on wine country hot spots – but (natch) romance and complications soon ensue between the two. Amber Benson and Cole Williams star. Brown and Ronnie Deitz produced. 6/7

Teton Films has acquired the North American distribution rights to “Shadowboxer.” The action-thriller written by William Lipz and directed by Lee Daniels is about a couple of assassins who are hired to snuff a pregnant target, but decide to protect her instead. Cuba Gooding, Jr., Helen Mirren, Vanessa Ferlito, Macy Gray, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Mo’Nique and Stephen Dorff are all starring in the film. Daniels, Lisa Cortes, Damon Dash, Brook Lenfest, and Dave Robinson all produced. 6/7

Jay Lavender and Jeremy Garelick have sold two undisclosed high-concept comedy pitches to Universal Studios for $2 million against $5 million. The writing duo will also serve as producers on the projects, teaming with Mary Parent and Scott Stuber. 6/7

Now to return my unused asbestos-lined underwear (stupid no-show Apocalypse)...

6-6-6

2006-06-06T09:56:00.000-07:00

In Paramount News: Todd Rosenberg has sold his pitch “Odd Todd” to the Melrose Ave. studio and Comedy Central Films. The comedy is about a loser who goes about trying to change his bad luck after he gets locked out of his apartment on the day his unemployment checks run out. Jonathan Kesselman will direct, with Mike Karz producing.

Also, Chris Pine is in talks to top-line an untitled post-apocalyptic thriller for the studio’s specialty label Paramount Vantage. The project is being co-written and co-directed by Alex and David Pastor and is about a group of friends who try to survive an extremely deadly viral epidemic. Anthony Bregman (This and That) and Ray Angelic are producing. SDB Partners, John Carrabino Management and attorney Stuart Berton represent Pine. 6/6

Dana Fox has sold her “Untitled Vegas Comedy” pitch to Twentieth Century Fox for high six against seven figures. The plot is being kept close to the vest, but it is reportedly in the vein of “Wedding Crashers.” Michael Aguilar and Dean Georgaris (Penn Station) are producing. 6/6

Former Onion editor Robert Siegel has sold his spec “Homeland Insecurity” to Miramax Films. The satirical comedy follows a couple of hapless Arab-American businessmen who are mistaken as terrorists. David Miner (3 Arts Entertainment) is producing the project. David Greenbaum, Keri Putnam and Kristin Jones will shepherd the project for the studio. Siegel is represented by CAA and Loeb & Loeb. 6/6

Screen Gems has acquired the remake rights to the psychological thriller “The Stepfather.” The project is out to writers. The 1987 original was about a psychotic man who terrorizes his new wife and her kids when they don’t act like the “perfect family” he wants. Greg Mooradian is producing the new version, along with Mark Morgan and Guy Oseary (Maverick Films). Robert Green (Granada) will executive produce. 6/6

Nicolas Cage has signed on to star in the U.S. version of “Bangkok Dangerous” for Initial Entertainment Group. The action-thriller being adapted by Jason Richman is about a contract killer who goes to Bangkok to eliminate four targets, but begins to rethink his line of work when he becomes smitten with a young woman. The original film’s Oxide Pang Chun and Danny Pang are co-directing the remake. William Sherak and Jason Shuman (Blue Star Pictures) are producing, along with Norm Golightly and Graham King. 6/6

Dakota Fanning, Robin Wright Penn and David Morse have all been cast in “Hounddog” for Muse Productions. Deborah Kampmeier is writing and will direct the drama set in 1961 about a bright little girl who copes with the abuse inflicted on her by emulating Elvis Presley. Kampmeier, Kelly Thomas, Raye Dowell and Terry Leonard are all producing, with Wright Penn executive producing. 6/6

Robert Downey, Jr. is joining Anton Yelchin, Hope Davis, Kat Dennings and Tyler Hilton in “Charlie Bartlett” for Sidney Kimmel Entertainment. Gustin Nash wrote the dark comedy about a rich teen who transfers to a public school and uses his charm and listening skills to win his classmates over. Jon Poll is helming the project, with David Permut, Barron Kidd, Jay Roach and Sidney Kimmel producing. William Horberg, Bruce Toll, Trish Hofmann and Jennifer Perini are executive producing. 6/6

Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch and Parker Posey have all signed on to “Spring Breakdown” for Warner Bros. The comedy co-written by Dratch and Ryan Shiraki is about a U.S. senator’s 30-something assistant who agrees to chaperone the lawmaker’s nerdy college-aged daughter to Spring Break, dragging her other 30-something gal pals with her. Larry Kennar and Rick Berg (Code Entertainment) are producing, while Michael Rachmil, Shiraki and Dratch are executive producing. 6/6

New Line has signed Amanda Bynes to star alongside John Travolta and Queen Latifah in the musical-comedy remake of “Hairspray.” Leslie Dixon wrote the script based on the John Waters original film set in the 1960s about a chubby White girl who uses a local Baltimore dance TV show to fight for desegregation. Adam Shankman is directing the redo, which is being produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. 6/6

Zhang Ziyi has signed a three-picture/English-language deal with The Weinstein Co. for the Asian sistah to star in and to co-produce with her brother Zhang Zian. The first is the remake of the martial arts Akira Kurosawa classic “The Seven Samuria” – about a group of lowly farmers who hire ronin (master-less swordsmen) to protect their village against a ruthless warlord. No word yet on who is penning the new version.

The second project is a live-action project about Hua Mulan – based on a Chinese legend about a girl disguised as a boy who joins the Imperial Army to fight against invading barbarians. The brothers Weinstein and the Zhang siblings are still considering whether they will use the script about the subject written by Wang Hui-Ling, which is controlled by actress-producer Michelle Yeoh, and producers Terence Chang and David Dong (Meridian Pictures Group) – or if they will develop their own version.

The third project is yet to be determined. 6/6

June 5 2006

2006-06-05T09:26:00.000-07:00

In Columbia Pictures news: Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont have sold their pitch “99 Problems” to the Culver City studio for a reported $1.25 million against $2 million. The “be-careful-what-you-wish-for” comedy is about a man whose life becomes a romantic rollercoaster when his fantasy of dating a multitude of women suddenly comes true. Joe Roth is producing, along with Suzanne and Jennifer Todd (Team Todd), as well as Chris Bender, JC Spink and Jake Weiner (Benderspink).

Grant Nieporte has also sold his script “Seven Pounds” to Columbia. The drama is about a guy who, in a weird twist of fate, meets the woman of his dreams just as he’s about to commit suicide. Will Smith is starring, as well as producing with James Lassiter. Also producing are Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch (Escape Artists). 6/4

Rogue Pictures has committed to remaking the Spanish thriller “Ausentes” (“The Absent”). The original was about a woman who moves to a quiet town to recuperate from a nervous breakdown, but instead starts to think that the neighbors and her own family are involved in a terrible conspiracy. The project is out to writers. The original’s Daniel Calparsoro is attached to direct. Roy Lee* and Doug Davison (natch) are producing, with Sonny Mallhi executive producing. Alex Heineman is shepherding for the studio. UTA represents the director. 6/5

*New drinking game: a shot of Soju whenever my homie Roy’s name pops up in the trades.

John Leguizamo and Vilmer Valderrama have signed on to star in “Something Blue” for Disney. Danielle Sanchez-Wtizel wrote the family comedy about a father whose life takes a drastic turn after his first-born daughter tells him that she’s going marry a cop. Matthew Weaver, Carl Levin and Marcos Siega (Prospect Pictures) are producing, along with Michael Greene, Michael Goldman and Jeff Golenberg (The Collective). The project was packaged by Endeavor Independent and Traction Media. 6/5

John McTiernan has been hired to direct “Deadly Exchange” by Film Bridge International. Ron Shussett and Ian Rabin wrote the action-thriller about a terrorist who swears revenge on the FBI agent who killed his father a decade ago. Anthony J. Ridio is producing, while Ellen Wander is executive producing. 6/5

Miramax Films and Dimension Films* have hired Rob Zombie to write, direct and produce a new installment of the “Halloween” franchise. The new film will be a “re-imagining” of the Michael Myers horror saga. Malek Akkad (Trancas Intl. Films) and Zombie’s manager Andy Gould (Vision Entertainment Group) are also producing. Richard Saperstein, Matthew Stein and Alex Franklin are shepherding for Dimension, while Bret McCartney will do the same for Trancas. Paradigm and the law offices of Greenspan & Light also represent Zombie. 6/5

*Didn’t they just go through a nasty divorce?

June 2 2006

2006-06-02T09:19:00.000-07:00

Brendan Hood has sold his spec “The Deaths of Ian” to Odyssey Entertainment. The horror story is about a guy who has nightmares every night about getting killed by terrifying creatures, then waking the next day changed from the experience. Commercial helmer Dario Piana is making his big screen directorial debut on the project, which is being produced by Stan Winston and my boy Brian Gilbert. 6/2

Casey Affleck has sold his spec “Aardvark Art’s Ark” to Warner Bros. The family film is about an aardvark on Noah’s ark. Affleck will executive produce the project. 6/2

Paul Cuschieri has been hired to write “Cut Throat City” for Animus Films. The thriller is described as a heist film that begins in post-Katrina New Orleans’ Ninth Ward then becomes a road movie. Hip hop artists Lil Wayne and Baby are starring in the film. Aaron Courseault is directing the film, while Jim Young is producing. 6/2

Naveen Andrews and Mary Steenburgen are joining Jodi Foster and Terrence Howard in “The Brave One” for Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow. Written by Cynthia Mort, and Bruce and Roderick Taylor, the psychological thriller is about a woman who gets revenge on the men who brutally attacked her. Neil Jordan is directing, while Joel Silver is producing. 6/2

Magnolia Pictures has acquired the North American distribution rights to “Severance.” The horror-comedy written by James Moran and Christopher Smith is about a small group of international arms dealers who go on a corporate-style retreat -- but instead of having time to reflect, they are terrorized by demented soldiers hell-bent on revenge. Smith directed the film, which was produced by Jason Newmark, and executive produced by Steve Christian and Michael Kuhn. 6/2

Heath Ledger and Rachel Weisz are in final negotiations to star in the big screen version of Tim Winton’s novel “Dirt Music.” The drama was adapted by Justin Monjo and Pip Karmel. Set in a remote Australian fishing village, the story focuses on a man and a woman in an empty relationship who find redemption when they rescue another man who is tormented by the locals. Phillip Noyce is directing, as well as producing with Miranda Culley. 6/2

June 1 2006

2006-06-01T09:18:00.000-07:00

Sahara Lotti has sold her (third) spec “A Family Affair” to New Line Cinema. The comedy is about how a young woman and an older guy -- who once had a fling -- are reunited after she unknowingly gets engaged to his son. Sarah Jessica Parker is attached to star. Jennifer Klein (Apartment 3B) is producing. 6/1

Franklin Martin has sold his pitch “Hurricane Season” to Universal Pictures. The drama will be based on a documentary which he just finished about Hurricane Katrina – focusing on New Orleans high school teens who were at odds with each other before the disaster, but band together to rebuild their shattered communities. Mark Gordon is producing. 6/1

Andrew Jay Cohen and Brendan O'Brien have been hired to adapt Will Clarke’s soon-to-be published book "The Worthy: A Ghost's Story" for Columbia Pictures. The supernatural comedy is about a college guy who doesn’t let his own death get in the way of his obsession with a coed. Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher (Red Wagon) are producing. 6/1

Newbie writer-director Taika Waititi has set up his debut film “Eagle vs. Shark” with Miramax Films. The New Zealand comedy is about two oddballs who are just looking to “fit in.” The project stars Loren Horsley and Jemaine Clement. Ainsley Gardiner and Cliff Curtis (Whenua Films) are producing. 6/1

Michael Dowse has been hired to write and direct “Kids In America” by Imagine Entertainment. The coming-of-age dramedy takes place on one night during Labor Day weekend, when a guy who just graduated from college deals with his future, while also trying to pursue his females soul mate. Topher Grace is starring, as well as executive producing with Gordon Kaywin - the duo developed the pitch for the project. Brian Grazer is producing. 6/1

In “Sh*t-Or-Get-Off-The-Pot” News: Lionsgate is talks to acquire “Good Luck, Chuck” in turn-around from New Line Cinema. Josh Stolberg wrote the comedy about a bachelor who happily remains commitment-free since the women with whom he’s had sex always seem to find their “dream guys” right after his trysts with said ladies – unfortunately his “gift” becomes a curse when he meets his true love. Dane Cook is attached to star, while Mark Helfrich is going to helm. Mike Karz is producing the project. 6/1

Sean Bean and Sophia Bush have been cast in the remake of “The Hitcher” by Platinum Dunes. The thriller written by Eric Bernt follows the premise of the 80s original, with a young couple on a cross country drive who become the target of a serial killer. Michael Bay, Andrew Form, Brad Fuller, Charles Meeker and Alfred Haber are all producing. 6/1

May 31 2006

2006-05-31T08:45:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-30T09:18:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-26T09:28:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-25T10:08:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-24T09:17:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-23T09:52:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-22T11:57:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-22T10:55:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-19T09:49:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-18T10:08:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-17T12:20:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-17T11:51:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-17T10:53:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-16T08:26:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-15T09:37:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-12T09:19:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-11T09:08:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-10T09:44:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-09T09:08:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-08T09:25:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-05T08:54:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-04T09:17:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-03T09:42:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-02T08:54:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-01T09:22:00.000-07:00

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.

April 28 2006

2006-04-28T09:11:00.000-07:00

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

2006-04-27T09:30:00.000-07:00

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. 4/27

Eric 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. 4/27

Tommy 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

2006-04-26T08:54:00.000-07:00

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

2006-04-25T08:43:00.000-07:00

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

2006-04-24T10:16:00.000-07:00

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

2006-04-21T09:42:00.000-07:00

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

2006-04-20T09:23:00.000-07:00

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

2006-04-19T09:08:00.000-07:00

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

2006-04-18T09:03:00.000-07:00

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

2006-04-17T08:33:00.000-07:00

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

2006-04-13T09:04:00.000-07:00

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

2006-04-12T08:57:00.000-07:00

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

2006-04-11T09:56:00.000-07:00

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

2006-04-10T08:21:00.000-07:00

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

2006-04-07T08:47:00.000-07:00

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

2006-04-06T09:17:00.000-07:00

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. 4/6

Nickelodeon 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. 4/6

Aaron 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. 4/6

Jarrett 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. 4/6

Amber 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

2006-04-05T09:13:00.000-07:00

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

2006-04-04T09:01:00.000-07:00

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

March 2006

2006-03-02T09:29:00.000-08:00

Collin Friesen has been hired to rewrite "Man in Uniform" for New Line Cinema. Kevin James is top-lining the film. Bob Cooper (Landscape Entertainment) is producing. The comedy is about an Average Joe whose life changes when he finds a cop’s missing uniform. Michael Galvin and Peter Speakman wrote original drafts of the script. Richard Brener and Cale Boyter are shepherding the project for the studio. Endeavor, Principato-Young and attorney Rob Szymanski represent Friesen. Props! 3/2

Gael Garcia Bernal is developing an adaptation of an episode of the television series "Ruta 32” as his freshman directorial effort and starring vehicle. The script was written by Kyzza Terrazas. The drama will deal with the different classes in Mexican society. Bernal will also produce the film with Diego Luna and Pablo Cruz (Canana Films). Also cast are Camila Sodi, Luz Cipriota and Tenoch Huerta. Focus Films will handle distribution in the U.S. 3/2

Paramount Pictures has picked up Zach Braff’s remake of the 2002 Danish film "Open Hearts." Braff is scheduled to write, direct, produce and star. The romantic drama focuses on the entanglement experienced by two couples involved in a car crash. CAA, Entertainment and attorneys Ken Richman and Steve Warren represent the multi-hyphenate. 3/2

Infinity Media has announced that it will produce "Mike the Bike," a bio of the Mike Hailwood, a British champion motorcycle rider in the 60s and 70s who is crippled by a devastating crash. The script was written by Paul Pender. Michael Ohoven is producing the picture. 3/2

Walt Disney Pictures has hired Mark Friedman to pen the script for the untitled Angelo Brooks project. The film will be based on real events in Baltimore, where a cop took over the debate team of a run-down inner city school and coached the disadvantaged students to victory. David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman (Mandeville Films) are producing the film. 3/2

Newbie Mikey Wigart has sold his script "Shiver" to Dimension Films. Michael Cuesta is attached to direct and produce. The horror thriller is based on true events and is set in Minnesota, where a group of New Years Eve partiers fall prey to a maniacal doctor when they become stranded in a blizzard. 3/2

Working Title has cast Steve Coogan, Jim Broadbent and Timothy Dalton in “Hot Fuzz,” a satire about a London cop demoted to working in a small British town. The comedy was written by Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg. They are also directing and top-lining the project, respectively. Nira Park, Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner are producing. Natascha Wharton is executive producing. 3/2

Darius Films has hired Allan Moyle to direct "Weirdsville," a dark comedy about teen slackers whose friend overdoses on drugs. When they go to bury him in an abandoned drive-in, they discover a cult amidst a satanic ritual. The script was written by Willem Wennekers. Scott Speedman, Wes Bentley and Taryn Manning are attached to star. Screen Media will distribute in the U.S., and ThinkFilm will do the same in Canada. Nicholas Tabarrok is producing. 3/2

John Cusack has signed on to produce and star in "Grace Is Gone," an independent drama about a man who takes his two daughters on a road trip after his wife is killed in Iraq. The script was written by James C. Strouse, who will also direct. Grace Loh is also producing, along with Gail Niederhoffer, Daniela Taplin Lundbergh and Celine Rattray (Plum Pictures). Reagan Silber, Bruce Lunsford, Ed Hart and Paul Bernstein are executive producing. Marilyn Haft and Roberta Burrows are co-producing. Cusack and Strouse are represented by WMA. 3/2

The Weinstein Co. and producer Tom Lassally are developing a film based on the NY Times articles written by Warren St. John which exposed the celebrated HIV-infected hustler-turned-author J.T. Leroy to be nothing but a hoax. Leroy supposedly wrote the edgy novels "Sarah" and "The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things," drawing from “his” experiences as a transvestite teen hooker. However, the articles recently revealed that “Leroy” and “Leroy’s work” was fabricated by Laura Albert, a writer and musician, while the “Leroy” who made public appearances was a young woman whose real name is Savannah Knoop. Captain Mauzner wrote the script. Jesse Peretz is attached to direct. The film is being packaged by UTA. Michael Cole and Kelly Carmichael are shepherding the project for TWC. 3/2

Mark Burton has sold his spec "They Came from Upstairs" to 20th Century Fox for a reported $1.75 million against $2.25 million. Barry Josephson is producing the project, which is described as "Home Alone" meets "Gremlins. Lisa Ellzey is overseeing the film for the studio, while Bridget Humphreys is doing the same for Josephson Entertainment. WMA, Berlin & Associates and attorney Joel McKuin represent Burton. 3/3

Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures have announced the production of “Saw III.” Darren Lynn Bousman is once again helming the franchise picture. The script was written by Leigh Whannell from a story he developed with James Wan. The film will be produced by Mark Burg and Oren Koules. 3/3

Michael Seitzman has been hired by Warner Bros. Pictures to write an adaptation of the novel "The Sparrow" by Mary Doria Russell. Brad Pitt is producing, along with Nick Wechsler (Industry Entertainment) and Cynthia Pett-Dante (Brillstein-Grey). Pitt might also star in the film. The sci-fi film is about a priest and a crew of astronauts who become friends with one alien race, inadvertently triggering the rancor of another, thus starting a horrible war on the extraterrestrial planet. Courtney Valenti is shepherding the project for WB. 3/3

Ben Magid has sold his pitch “Pan” to New Line Cinema, with manager Brooklyn Weaver (Energy Entertainment) producing. The story flips the classic kid’s tale by making it a horror film with Peter Pan as the villain being tracked by a cop named Hook. Toby Emmerich and Jeff Katz (my boy!) are shepherding the project for the studio, while Jake Wagner is doing the same for Energy Entertainment. 3/6

Director Matthew Vaughn has cast Claire Danes, Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sienna Miller and Charlie Cox to star in the fantasy film "Stardust" for Paramount Pictures. The project is based on a novel by Neil Gaiman and was adapted for the screen by Vaughn and co-writer Jane Goldman. The story focuses on an adventurer whose boon is to fetch a falling star for his beloved, but first he must battle a pirate and an evil witch. Vaughn is also producing with Lorenzo di Bonaventura for Paramount Pictures. Also producing are Michael Dreyer and Gaiman, while Stephen Marks and Peter Morton are going to executive produce. Co-financing the film are MARV Films and Ingenious Film Partners. Brad Weston and Dan Levine are shepherding the project for Paramount. ICM and manager Michael Aglion represent Danes. CAA represents De Niro, Pfeiffer and Cox. Endeavor represents Miller. Peters, Fraser & Dunlop also represent Cox and Miller. 3/7

Philip Seymour Hoffman will join Laura Linney in "The Savages." Tamara Jenkins wrote the script and is directing the comedic drama for Fox Searchlight Pictures. It’s about a brother and sister who must care for the sickly father who never took care of them. Ted Hope and Anne Carey (This Is That) are producing the film, along with Fred and Erica Westheimer. Executive producing are Jim Burke (Ad Hominem), Alexander Payne, and Jim Taylor. Claudia Lewis and Joshua Deighton are overseeing the project for the studio. Paradigm and attorney Robert Marshall represent Hoffman. ICM, Brillstein-Grey and attorney Kevin Yorn represent Linney. 3/7

Jack Black, Nicole Kidman and Jennifer Jason Leigh have all signed on to star in an untitled film being directed by Noah Baumbach. Scott Rudin is producing for Paramount Classics. The synopsis is so vague that it doesn’t bear repeating. 3/7

Spyglass Entertainment has hired Matt Johnson to write "Baja 1000." The action adventure is about a father and son team who participate in the annual Baja 1000 off-road race in Mexico. Producing the film are Roger Birnbaum, Gary Barber and Jonathan Glickman. Sal Fish is executive producing, while June Seley-Kimmel is serving as co-producer. Ivan Oyco is overseeing the films for Spyglass. UTA, Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment and attorney Adam Kaller represent Johnson. 3/7

Sony BMG Film and Nuyorican Prods have signed Alejandro Chomski to direct "Reggaeton." Jennifer Lopez is producing. 3/7

Scott Marshall Smith has sold his comedy pitch "Once and Future King" to Universal. Gary Foster (Krasnoff Foster Prods.) is producing. The film, inspired by true events, revolves around an Australian farmer who discovers that he’s the rightful heir to the British throne. Rikki Lea Bestall is co-producing the project. Jon Gordon and Erik Baiers are shepherding the project for the studio. 3/7

Paramount Pictures has snapped up the film rights to "The Year of Yes: A Memoir" by Maria Dahvana Headley. Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen are producing. The book is a comedy about a woman who decides to accept all proposals from men who ask her out on dates. Marc Evan is overseeing the project for the studio. 3/7

Richard Regen has been hired by The Weinstein Co. to adapt “Panic,” a novel by Jeff Abbott. Richard Shepherd is attached to direct. The espionage thriller is about a documentary filmmaker who finds out that his parents were spies after his mother has been murders and his father has been kidnapped. Michael Cole and Eric Robinson are overseeing the film for TWC. 3/7

Dimension Films has snapped up the film rights to “Cell,” Stephen King’s latest novel. The deal is for $1 million against seven-figures, with extra bumps along the way. Eli Roth has been attached to direct. The book is about the entire cell phone-using population turning into killer zombies. Roth, Mike Fleiss and Chris Briggs are producing. Roth has expressed interest in writing the script. Matt Stein, Richard Saperstein and Brendan Dennen are shepherding the project for the studio. The book and Roth are represented by CAA. 3/8

Director Todd Phillips has signed on to direct Zach Helm’s comedy "The Disassociate" for Warner Bros. Pictures. The script is about a guy who thinks he’s crazy when he starts getting postcards from God. Lindsay Doran is producing with Phillips. 3/8

Paramount Pictures has bought the comedy pitch "Me & Olivia" from Ed Solomon for $1 million. Lorenzo di Bonaventura is producing. The story is about a man who deals with his occupational woes by entering the imaginary world created by his kinder-aged daughter. Solomon will write the script with Chris Matheson. Brad Weston and Dan Levine are overseeing the project for the studio. WMA and attorney Michael Gendler represent Solomon. Above the Line Agency and attorney Shep Rosenman represent Matheson. 3/8

Woody Allen has announced the production start to his next film “Scoop.” Letty Aronson, Stephen Tenenbaum and Gareth Wiley are producing, while exective producing are Vincent Maraval, Benjamin Waisbren and Daniel Wuhrmann. Virtual Films and Wild Bunch are financing the project. 3/8

Brandon Camp and Mike Thompson have sold their pitch “Minutemen” to Sony, with Neal Moritz (Original Films) and Ori Marmur producing. Camp and Thompson are also executive producing. The price tag was high six figures against low seven figures. The action film is about the population of a small town that defends America against foreign invaders. Sam Dickerson is shepherding the project for the studio. 3/8

New Line Cinema and Blighty Entertainment have bought the film rights to the novel “The Wedding Officer” by Anthony Capella. The book is a romantic comedy set in Naples during WWII and is about a young British officer who screens Italian girls who want to marry his fellow countrymen. 3/8

Avenue Pictures and Sandbar Pictures have cast Simon Baker in the dark comedy “Sex and Death 101." Dan Waters has written the script and is directing the film about a man who gets an e-mail that lists all the women with whom he’s had sex, plus all the men with whom those women will have sex in the future. Cary Brokaw is producing with Lizzie Friedman and Greg Little. Aaron Craig Geller is executive producing. ICM and Untitled Entertainment represent Baker. 3/8

20th Century Fox and Walden Media have hired Vadim Perelman to rewrite and direct the film adaptation of the novel “The Giver” by Lois Lowry. The book is about a teenager who lives in a serene, utopic world which has no memory of humanity’s violent past. The protagonist is traumatized when he’s chosen to become the Giver, whose role is to retain all human emotions. Todd Alcott wrote the previous drafts. Jeff Bridges and Neil Koenigsberg (AsIs Prods.) are producing, along with Orly Wiseman and Nikki Silver (On Screen Entertainment). Debbie Liebling is overseeing the project for Fox, while Alex Schwartz and Evan Turner are doing the same for Walden. CAA and the Firm represent Perelman.

Paramount Pictures has hired Roger Avery and Neil Gaiman to pen the horror romance "Black Hole." The project is being produced by MTV Films, Plan B and Kevin Messick. Alexandre Aja is attached to direct the film based on the critically-acclaimed graphic novel by Charles Burn. The story revolves around high school students who get infected by a sexually transmitted disease called the "teen plague" or "the bug." 3/8

Miramax has cast Isla Fisher, Carla Gugino and Matthew Goode to the crime thriller "The Lookout." Scott Frank wrote the script and is directing. The film is about a disabled custodian who becomes entangled in a bank heist scheme. Walter Parkes, Laurence Mark, Roger Birnbaum and Gary Barber are producing the project. 3/8

Warner Bros. has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to the upcoming CG version of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” Kevin Munroe wrote the script and is directing the film. The Weinstein Co. is releasing the film overseas. Thomas K. Gray and Galen Walker (Imagi Animation Studios) are producing. 3/8

Red Bone Films is in final talks to cast Mos Def and Sophie Okonedo in the drama "Stringbean and Marcus." The period film revolves around the romance between two ex-Black Panther members. First-timer Tanya Hamilton is set to direct, from a script she wrote. Sean Costello, Jen Roskind and Samara Koffler are producing the project. ICM and Markham and Froggatt Ltd. represent Okonedo. Brookside Artists Management represents Mos Def. 3/9

Neil Crawford has sold his pitch “King Tut” to Paramount Pictures. Lorenzo Di Bonaventura is producing the action/adventure film that’s loosely based on the discovery of King Tut’s tomb in 1922 by Howard Carter. Brad Weston and Dan Levine are shepherding the project for the studio. 3/9

The Jim Henson Company has acquired the film rights to the fantasy novels "Varjak Paw" and "The Outlaw Varjak Paw," both written by SF Said. Dave McKean is slated to direct and co-write the script with the novelist. The former is about a kitten that discovers that he belongs to a long line of magical martial arts-practicing felines. Lisa Henson is producing the animated film, while Said and McKean will executive produce. Jason Lust is overseeing the project for Henson. 3/9

Multi-hyphenate Til Schweiger has announced that he will star in and produce (Barefoot Films) "Blaze." Reto Salimbeni wrote the script and will direct the film about a guy who finds out that he unknowingly provided an alibi for a co-worker who committed rape. Also in the cast are Michael Clarke Duncan, Lauren Lee Smith, Stefanie von Pfetten, Eric Roberts and Ned Bellamy. Also producing are Universal Pictures Germany and Manifesto Films. 3/9

Dimension Films has cast John Cusack in the horror film “1408.” The film is based on a Stephen King short story about a skeptic who discovers that supernatural terrors do exist when he investigates the “supposedly” haunted Room 1408 at the Dolphin Hotel. Richard Saperstein and Matthew Stein are shepherding the film for the studio. 3/9

Bobby Smith Jr. has sold his pitch "Lift Every Voice" to New Line Cinema. He will write the script about an idealistic young pastor who steers New Jersey youths from trouble on the street by forming a gospel choir. Smith’s manager Holly Davis-Carter (Releve Entertainment) is producing. Lindsay Hughes is executive producing. Mark Ordesky and Kathy Busby are shepherding the project for the studio. 3/9

Emmett/Furla Films has hired Jon Avnet to direct and produce (Brooklyn Films) “Second World.” Written by Scott King, the action thriller is about a female assassin who must save the world from a viral pandemic by teaming up with the virus’ creator – her target. Randall Emmett and George Furla are producing with Avnet. Millennium Films is distributing and financing the project. 3/9

Focus Features has announced the production of two films. Graham Broadbent and Pete Czernin (Blue Print Pictures) are producing the first titled "In Bruges.” The film was written by and will be directed by Martin McDonagh. It's about an assassin. The second is an adaptation of Norman Lewis' best-selling autobiography "Naples '44: A World War II Diary of Occupied Italy." The script was penned by Ben Hopkins and tells the tale of Lewis’ experiences as a WWII British intelligence officer in Italy. Francesca Barra is producing. 3/10

The Weinstein Co. has acquired the stage and film rights to Wang Du Lu’s five book martial arts series "Crane -- Iron Pentalogy." They include "Crane Frightens KunLun," "Precious Sword," "Golden Hairpin," "Sword Spirit, Pearl Light," "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Iron Knight, Silver Vase." TWC is wooing original “Crouching Tiger” director Ang Lee and producer Bill Kong to help develop the projects (although “Crouching Tiger” will not be remade as a feature, just as a stage musical). The deal was negotiated by William Morris China and Fangda Partners. 3/10

Lexi Alexander is directing "A House Divided" for Odd Lot Entertainment from a script he wrote. The film is about a man who decides to embrace his Jewish heritage, so his upset wife decides to pursue evangelical Christianity in retaliation. Alexander (Iron Prods.) will also produce with partner Stefan Haller. Deborah Del Prete and Gigi Pritzker are executive producing, and Linda McDonough will co-produce. 3/10

Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche and Dane Cook have been cast by Touchstone Pictures in "Dan in Real Life." The film is being directed by Peter Hedges from a script written by Pierce Gardner. Jon Shestack is producing the romantic comedy about an advice columnist whose life becomes a mess when he falls in love with his younger brother’s girlfriend. Brad Epstein is shepherding the project for the studio. 3/10

Ken Watanabe, Kazunari Ninomiya, Tsuyoshi Ihara, Ryo Kase and Shido Nakamura have been cast in the Japanese-language "Red Sun, Black Sand." Clint Eastwood is directing the drama that bookends the director’s other Iwo Jima war film "Flags of Our Fathers." “Red Sun” will tell Japan’s side of that pivotal WWII conflict. Iris Yamashita wrote the script, collaborating on the story with Paul Haggis. Haggis wrote the adaptation of James Bradley's book “Flags,” with the film version starring Ryan Phillipe, Jesse Bradford, Adam Beach, Jamie Bell, Barry Pepper and Paul Walker. “Red Sun” is about the travails of real-life Japanese General Tadamichi Kuribayashi. Eastwood is producing the films with Steven Spielberg and Robert Lorenz, while Paul Haggis is executive producing. Paramount Pictures/DreamWorks has partnered with Warner Bros. Pictures, with the formers distributing the films domestically, and the latter doing the same overseas. 3/10

In a seven-figure deal, writer Scott Rosenberg has been hired to contemporize “The Dirty Dozen,” collaborating with writing/producing partners Andre Nemec and Josh Appelbaum. Like the 1967 original, the new version will be about twelve convicted soldier who are drafted for a suicide war mission. Joel Silver and Susan Downey are producing for Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow Pictures. Bruce Berman (Village Roadshow) and Steve Richards are executive producing. Lynn Harris is shepherding the project for the studio, Navid McIlhargey is doing the same for Silver Pictures and Dana Goldberg for Village Roadshow. 3/13

The Weinstein Co. has cast Laura Linney and Scarlett Johansson in "The Nanny Diaries." The film has been adapted for the screen by Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini from the book by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus. The story is about a young woman from the New Jersey suburbs who infiltrates New York’s upper-crust when she’s hired to become a nanny. Richard Gladstein (FilmColony) is producing, while Dany Wolf is executive producing. Michael Cole and Kelly Carmichael are shepherding the project for TWC. 3/13

Paul Haggis has been tapped by Columbia Pictures to direct and produce "Against All Enemies," developing the script with writer James Vanderbilt. The film is based on Richard A. Clarke’s memoirs and shows an insider’s look at the Bush cabinet’s tactics against Al Qaida. It was published by Free Press in 2004. John Calley is producing the film, with Len Sherman executive producing. Larry Becsey will also serve as a producer. Doug Belgrad and Rachel O'Connor are overseeing the film for the studio. CAA, Becsey and attorneys Peter Dekom and Wayne Alexander represent Haggis. 3/13

Prelude Features has hired Bruce Beresford to direct a biopic of the Russian classical composer Sergei Rachmaninoff titled "Rhapsody." Frederick Muller (Prelude) is producing, while Edward R. Pressman, Floyd Bradley and Timothy Prager are executive producing. Prager also wrote the screenplay. 3/13

DreamWorks has cast Shia LaBeouf in the thriller "Disturbia." D.J. Caruso is directing. The script was written by Christopher Landon about a teenager who’s under house arrest and is unable to stop a neighbor who he believes is a serial killer. Montecito Picture Co. and Jackie Marcus are producing the film. Carl Ellsworth did rewrites of initial drafts of Landon’s spec script. 3/13

20th Century Fox has tapped Adrian Lyne to direct "Two Minutes to Midnight." Sheldon Turner wrote the thriller about a divorce lawyer who is given two choices: he must commit suicide or his wife will be killed by kidnappers. Jennifer Klein (Apartment 3B Prods.) is producing, while Hutch Parker and Peter Kang are overseeing the project for the studio. 3/13

William Monahan has been hired by Warner Bros. to adapt “Penetration” from the book written by David Ignatius. Ridley Scott is directing the film, as well as producing with Donald De Line. The spy thriller is about a CIA officer who teams up with a Jordanian counter-terrorist agent. Lynn Harris is overseeing the project for the studio, while Michael Costigan is doing the same for Scott Free. 3/13

Guillermo Arriaga (La Neta Films/Naco Films) is producing the adaptation of his own book "El bufalo de noche" ("The Night Buffalo"), along with the film’s star Diego Luna. Venezuelan newbie Jorge Hernandez is directing the film. The drama, which will be in the vein of "21 Grams" and "Amores Perros," is about a mentally ill man who commits suicide after his best friend steals his girlfriend away from him. Enrique Lopez is executive producing. 3/13

Producer Danny Bigel has acquired the feature rights to novel "Play Dates" by Leslie Carroll. Set in New York, the film is about a young mother in her twenties who not only finds herself suddenly divorced from her cheating husband, but also discovers that her six-year old son is more socially active than she is. The project is out to writers. 3/13

The Regency Enterprises and 20th Century Fox have made offers to Jennifer Lopez, Luke Wilson, John Travolta and Shirley MacLaine to star in the big screen send-up of the hit Eighties soap opera “Dallas.” Robert Luketic is going to direct the film. The screenplay, written by Robert Harling and Sacha Gervasi, revolves around the scandalous romantic and business exploits of the Ewing oil clan. 3/14

Ice Cube has signed on to star in and to produce the film version of another TV show “Welcome Back, Kotter.” Tom Brady is in final negotiations to write and direct the comedy effort. Andrew Lazar and Matt Alvarez are also producing. Like the series, the feature will be about a teacher who returns to the ‘hood to motivate and educate teens who are as he was – hopeless, underprivileged and rebellious. Dimension Films is financing and will distribute the feature. Richard Saperstein, Matthew Stein and Alex Franklin are overseeing the project for the studio. WMA and Firm represent Ice Cube. 3/14

Benicio Del Toro has signed on to star in and produce Universal Pictures’ new version of the classic “The Wolf Man.” Andrew Kevin Walker is writing the screenplay. Scott Stuber, Rick Yorn and Mary Parent are also producing. The film will be set during Victorian times and will follow the original’s plot, with an American who goes to England and gets bitten by a werewolf. Donna Langley and Peter Cramer are overseeing the project for Universal. 3/15

Dan Shere has sold his spec comedy script "We Are Family" to Twentieth Century Fox. Ralph Winter is producing. The story is about a white collar guy who hires actors to play his family because he is too embarrassed to introduce his fiancée to his real parents and siblings. Susana Zepeda is shepherding the project for Winter's production company, while Debbie Liebling will be doing the same for Fox. Noah Rosen (Circle of Confusion) is executive producing. 3/15

Channing Gibson has been hired by New Line to write a Western adaptation of the Japanese horror film “Infection.” The project is being produced by Roy Lee (natch) and Doug Davison (Vertigo Entertainment) and Takashige Ichise. The story is about a hospital staff that discovers that the deadly disease they're battling is supernatural in nature. Jeff Katz and George Waud are shepherding the film for New Line. 3/15

Anna Faris, John Krasinski, John Cho and Jane Lynch have been cast in the stoner comedy "Smiley Face." The project is being directed by Gregg Araki. The film's producers are Henry Winterstern and Kevin Turen (First Look Studios), as well as Steve Golin and Alix Madigan (Anonymous Content). Written by newbie Dylan Haggerty, the story is about an aspiring actress' day of foibles caused by her roommate’s pot brownies. 3/15

Anonymous Content and New Line Cinema have announced that they are producing a feature containing a number of short films with themes and stories inspired by the music of Kanye West. Six writers and about a dozen directors will create a series of shorts about American life with the rapper’s music as their inspiration. George C. Wolfe will executive produce and oversee the whole project creatively, with Richard Brown and Steve Golin producing. G. Roberson is also executive producing. Toby Emmerich, Kent Alterman and Michele Weiss are shepherding the project for New Line. CAA and Roberson represent West. 3/18

Ronald Harwood has been hired by Paramount Pictures to write a film that explores last year’s education controversy about whether or not intelligent design can be taught in public schools as an alternative to evolution. Lynda Obst is producing. 3/15

Nigel Cole has been hired to direct a film adaptation of the teen book "The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole" by Sue Townsend. The script was written by Bradley Wood. The story revolves around a British teenage boy who tries to find sanity as an escape from his dysfunctional, blue collar family. Brett Forbes and Patrick Rizzotti (Fortress Entertainment), Alison Owen (Ruby Films) and Diana Leszczynski are producing. 3/15

John Stockwell has been tapped to write and direct "Kid Cannabis" by HBO Films. The story, cobbled together from articles by Rolling Stone editor Mark Binelli ("Kid Cannabis: How a Chubby Pizza-Delivery Boy from Idaho Became a Drug Kingpin") and Kevin Taylor ("Dreaming in Green"), is about white suburban teens from Idaho who went from minimum wage slaves to becoming multi-million dollar drug kingpins. Stockwell is also producing with Nicole Rocklin. 3/16

Michael Caine and Demi Moore have been cast in "Flawless." The caper film, which will be directed by Michael Radford, is set in 60s London and is about a janitor and a female American executive who want to “stick it to the man” by stealing from their employer. Michael Pierce and Mark Williams are producing the film, while Stephen Margolis (Future Films) is executive producing. Pierce/Williams Entertainment is co-financing with Future Films. 3/16

Lionsgate has snapped up the rights to "Daddy's Little Girl" which Tyler Perry will write and direct. Reuben Cannon and Perry will produce the dramedy love story between a janitor/single father and a “bougie” female black attorney. WMA and attorney Matt Johnson represent Perry. 3/16

MGM has cast William Hurt to star with Kevin Costner in "Mr. Brooks." Bruce Evans is directing the psychological thriller about one man trying to maintain control, while his counterpart is reveling in killing and chaos. Evan co-wrote the script with Raynold Gideon. Costner, Gideon and Jim Wilson are producing. 3/16

Sahara Lotti has sold her spec "Dear God, It's Me Rod" to 20th Century Fox. She also signed a blind script deal with the studio. Andrew Gunn is producing the family comedy about a teenager who wishes for a different, more “normal” family, but ultimately misses the dysfunction of the family he already had. 3/16

Lauren Graham and John Goodman have been cast to star in "Evan Almighty" with Steve Carrell and Morgan Freeman. In the sequel to “Bruce Almighty,” which is going to be directed by Tom Shadyac and was written by Steve Oedekerk, is about an anchorman-turned-politician who is commanded by God to build an ark. 3/16

Kirk Jones has been hired to pen and to direct "Everybody's Fine," the American adaptation of "Stanno tutti bene," which was originally directed by Giuseppe Tornatore. The story focuses on a man whose wife has died, so he sets off on a road trip so he can reconnect with his grown children. Hollywood Gang and Cecchi Gori USA is co-financing the development of the film. Gianni Nunnari and Vittorio Cecchi Gori are producing. Craig Flores and Nathalie Peter-Contesse are executive producing. 3/16

Lisa and Eric Rice have optioned their script "The Heart of Man" to Mandalay Integrated Media Entertainment (M.I.M.E.) and Prelude Pictures. The film focuses on John Newton, the 18th century abolitionist and composer of the song “Amazing Grace.” Newton himself was enslaved twice – first by the British Navy, then by regular slavers. He escaped from both and campaigned to end slavery. 3/16

Director Catherine Hardwicke has cast Keisha Castle-Hughes in New Line Cinema's "Nativity." Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey are producing the film about the trials and tribulations endured by Mary and Joseph when their son Jesus was born. Mike Rich penned the screenplay. Toby Emmerich, Cale Boyter and Michael Disco are shepherding the project for the studio. 3/17

Ne-Yo, Columbus Short, Brian White and Meagan Good have been cast in Screen Gems’ "Stompin.” The hip hop film was written by Rob Adetuyi and is being directed by Sylvain White. The project is about a young man who goes from the urban jungle to a college where he becomes involved in the world of black fraternity ‘stepshow’ competitions. Will Packer (Rainforest Films) is producing. 3/17

The Weinstein Co. has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to "Bobby." Written, directed and produced by Emilio Estevez, the film shows the impact that Robert F. Kennedy’s murder had on the lives of those who witnessed the assassination. 3/17

Julia Roberts is in final talks to star in the film adaptation of the book "Daniel Isn't Talking" by Marti Leimbach. Stephen Chbosky is writing the script, which tells the story of the problems endured by a family when they find out that one of their children is autistic. Karen Rosenfelt is producing the film for Fox 2000. Maria Faillace is shepherding the project for the studio. 3/17

David Hayter has been hired to pen the movie version of the novel “Black Monday.” The book by Bob Reiss is about a federal agent who discovers that the world’s oil supply is being threatened by a mysterious virus. He races against time to avert global catastrophe. Tom Jacobson is producing the film for Paramount Pictures. 3/17

Universal Pictures has optioned the film rights to the novel “Drive” by James Sallis. Marc Platt will produce and Hugh Jackman is attached to star. Jackman is also producing with John Palermo (Seed Prods.). The project is out to writers. The action/adventure is about a Hollywood stunt-driver who’s targeted for death when it’s discovered that he hires himself out as a wheelman during heists. Adam Siegel and Jared LeBoff are overseeing the project for the production company, while Jon Gordon and Jeff Kirschenbaum are doing the same for the studio. APA represents the author. 3/17

Newbie Scott Milam has sold his thriller spec script “Wichita” to Dimension Films/The Weinstein Co. Darren Lynn Bousman is attached to direct the film about eight people whose lives are shattered after a horrific crime has been committed. Marc Burg and Oren Koules will produce the project. Richard Saperstein, Matthew Stein and Alex Franklin will shepherd the project for the studio. 3/17

Newbies Chris Ferrence and Dan Parada have sold their spec "Disappearance of Trout" to New Line Cinema. David Kirschner and Corey Sienega are producing the film about a dying old town that’s saved by a 13-year old boy who mysteriously disappeared two decades ago, but has reappeared unaged. Mark Kaufman is shepherding the project for the studio. 3/20

Scott Rudin and Lorenzo di Bonaventura are teaming up to produce the film version of the upcoming children’s novel "Stoneheart" by Charlie Fletcher. The book, the first of a trilogy, is about a night in England when statues – like chimeras and soldiers – come to life to do battle. Alli Shearmur is supervising for Paramount Pictures. 3/20

Charles Eastman has been tapped to adapt the novel "Desperadoes" by Ron Hansen. The book is about the Dalton Gang’s moll Eugenia Moore, who would either help the bandits rob trains or create diversions for them. Monte Hellman is attached to direct. Joyce Wethington (Jammee Rose Prods.) is producing. Paul Thomas Anderson and Martin Scorcese are executive producing. 3/20

Millionaire Michael Gleissner has announced the production of the thriller "Irreversi," which Gleissner will direct and also produce (Bigfoot Entertainment). Kacy Andrews, Lisa Schachet, and Eliot Tong are also producing. The film is about the turmoil caused between a man and his wife when they experience sudden wealth. The film will be shot mostly in Southeast Asia, and have two versions – one in English, another in Chinese. 3/20

Terrence Howard, Bernie Mac, Evan Ross and Scott Reeves have all been cast in “PDR” for Lionsgate. The film tells the true story of troubled urban youths who are transformed into swimming champions by Jim Ellis. The script was written by Michael Gozzard and Kevin M. Smith. Sunu Gonera is directing. 3/21

Dean DeBlois has sold his thriller “The Lighthouse” to Touchstone Pictures. Andrew Gunn is producing the film, which is about an electrician whose life unravels when he encounters a duo of mysterious brothers who operate a lighthouse in a secluded location. WMA represents the writer. 3/21

Newbie Jamie Moss has sold his spec script “Last Man Home” to Universal Pictures. Set in Iraq just days before the current U.S. invasion, the film is about an American soldier and his platoon as they search for the soldier’s brother, who became M.I.A. during the first Gulf War. Brian Grazer and Tom Lassally are producing, with Ron Howard directing. Donna Langley and Dylan Clark are shepherding the project for the studio, while David Bernardi will do the same for Imagine Entertainment. 3/21

Sam Jackson and Josh Hartnett are teaming up for “Resurrecting the Champ.” The script was initially drafted by Allison Burnett, but was polished by Rod Lurie, who will also direct the film. The story is based on a series of LA Times articles by reporter J.R. Moehringer in which the young reporter erroneously thinks that a homeless man he has met is a former prize fighter. It turns out the reporter war wrong. Bob Yari, Mike Medavoy, Arnold Messer, Brad Fischer and Marc Frydman are all producing. 3/21

Documentarian Dana Adam Shapiro has sold the film rights to his novel “The Every Boy” to Paramount Pictures. Shapiro will also write the movie version and direct the film. The project is about a deceased teenager who left behind a journal that reveals the strange perspective he had and quirky life he lived. Plan B is producing. 3/21

Michael Barker, Matthew Weitzman and Chris McKenna have sold their comedy pitch “The Refs” to New Line Cinema. The trio will write the script about neglected and abused NFL referees who plot to influence the Super Bowl results for ill-gotten gains. Peter Segal is attached to direct. He will also produce with Michael Ewing. 3/22

Dan Dworkin and Jay Beattie have sold their spec “Waketime” to Infinity Media. The supernatural thriller centers on a paranoid guy who thinks that he will die soon from a curse that has plagued his family for generations. JC Spink, Chris Bender and Darby Parker are producing, while Jake Weiner and Charlie Gogolak are executive producing. 3/22

David Elliot and Paul Lovett have been hired by Universal Pictures to pen the film version of the TV series "It Takes a Thief." Will Smith is attached to the project as its star and producer. The film is about a professional cat burglar who's forced by the CIA to steal for the government. Also producing are James Lassiter, Kevin Misher, John Davis and Joe Singer. 3/22

Universal Pictures has nabbed the film rights to the novel “The Stars My Destination” by Alfred Bester. The sci-fi tale centers on a marooned astronaut who becomes consumed with thoughts of rage and revenge after his S.O.S. is disregarded by a passing spaceship. In plotting his payback, he discovers secrets that could affect human history. Lorenzo Di Bonaventura and Raymond Wagner are producing. 3/22

Comedian Lord Baltimore has set up his comedy script "Trophy" to Cinamour Entertainment. The comedy focuses on a country music scout who scours the South in search of a gifted, but reclusive musician named Scarecrow who is reputed to be the Devil's offspring. By doing so, the scout hopes to revive his flagging career by having Scarecrow win a $2 million recording contract in an annual talent competition. Glen Hartford is producing. 3/22

Molly Shannon has been cast in the oxymoronic ‘New’ Paramount Classics’ "Year of the Dog," which was written and will be directed by Mike White. The film is about an optimistic administrative assistant whose life changes after her dog, her sole companion, dies. Amy Israel and Matt Brodlie are shepherding the project for the studio. ICM, Framework Entertainment and attorney Steve Warren represent the actress. 3/22

Robert Luketic is in final talks to direct "21" for Columbia Pictures. Based on Ben Mezrich's best-seller "Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions," the film is about a group of guys who beat casino odds by using complex mathematic calculations. 3/22

Nina Colman has sold her script "All's Fare in Love" to Bristol Bay Prods. Inspired by a true character, the romantic comedy is about a matchmaking NY cab driver who realizes that he has fallen for one of his female passengers. Adam Shankman and Jennifer Gibgot (Offspring Entertainment) are producing. 3/23

Sahara Lotti has sold her pitch "Back Magick" to 20th Century Fox. Sahara will write the script. The comedy is about a guy whose life is upended when the wishes he made as an unpopular kid during an eclipse abruptly start coming true. Shawn Levy and Tom McNulty (21 Laps Entertainment) are producing. 3/23

Austin Winsberg has sold his untitled romantic comedy pitch to New Line. The story is under wraps. Charles Roven and Alex Gartner (Mosaic Media) are producing. 3/23

Newbie Rob Davis has sold his spec script "Razorwire" to Kisha Imani Cameron (Completion Films). The urban horror film is about drug dealers who go to war with vampires disguised as cops who frame them for murder. Music video director Little X is attached to direct. 3/24

John August has been hired to polish "Bob the Musical" by Touchstone Pictures. The musical comedy is about an Average Joe whose life is turned upside down when the people around him magically start singing their inner feelings to him. Marc Shaiman is writing the book, while Chris Bender, JC Spink, Beau Flynn, and Tripp Vinson are producing. 3/24

Steve Zaillian has been rehired to polish “American Gangster” in a seven-figure deal by Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment. He wrote preliminary drafts, but was himself re-written by Terry George because his earlier vision would have been too expensive to shoot. The script is about a drug lord who smuggles heroin into the U.S. inside the bodies of American soldiers killed in Vietnam. Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe are set to star, while Ridley Scott is set to direct. Brian Grazer is producing. 3/24

Jeff Lowell has sold his script "How I Met My New Boyfriend's Dead Fiance" to Gold Circle Films. Lowell is also set to direct the film. Two guesses of what the film is about. Paul Brooks is shepherding the project for the company. 3/24

Woody Harrelson, Kristin Scott Thomas, Lauren Bacall, Ned Beatty, Moritz Bleibtreu, Willem Dafoe and Lily Tomlin have all been cast in "The Walker." The film centers on a middle aged male escort. Paul Schrader is directing the film. Deepak Nayar is producing'. Ingenious Media, Isle of Man, Parseghian Planco and Willi Baer are financing. 3/24

Samuel L. Jackson, Lewis Black, Mo'Nique, Jason Alexander, James Belushi, Jason Biggs, Dane Cook, Harvey Fierstein, Tracy Morgan, Whoopi Goldberg, Gilbert Gottfried, Norm Macdonald, Carlos Mencia, Alyson Hannigan, Jamie Kennedy, Jon Lovitz, Adam Duritz, John Stamos and Dave Coulier (the guy Alanis Morissette allegedly went down on in the theater) are all lending their voice talents to "Farce of the Penguins," a send-up of last year’s documentary hit "March of the Penguins." More specifically, the film is about one penguin’s journey to find love, while his chums are just out to get laid. Bob Saget wrote the script and will directed and produce the film. Also producing is David Permut. Steve Longi and Elliot Rosenblatt co-producing. Thinkfilm and Two Angels Prods. are financing the project. 3/24

Belgian Erik Van Looy has been hired to direct "Dream House" by Universal Pictures. The supernatural thriller was written by David Loucka and is about a family that moves into a seemingly idyllic country house that turns out to be...haunted. Ehren Kruger and Daniel Bobker are producing the film. Stokely Chaffin is executive producing. 3/24

David Bourla has sold his script “Push” to Icon Prods. and Infinity Features. The sci-fi thriller is set in China and is about Americans with telekinesis and E.S.P. who are being hunted by a U.S. intelligence agency. 3/24

Don Handfield has sold his script "Touchback" to Morgan Creek. The drama is about a 20-something man who hits his head and re-awakens to find out that he’s back in high school, a week before the big game in which he shattered his leg and ended his sports career as a star football player. David Nutter is attached to direct. Jim Robinson and Nick Osborne are producing, as are Trever Engelson (Underground Films) and Basil Iwanyk (Thunder Road). David Robinson and Guy McElwaine are executive producing. 3/27

Mark Perez has sold his spec “Cellmates” to Regency Enterprises. Perez will also direct the comedy, which centers on two buddies whose day of reckoning comes when a hardened inmate with whom they made a deal for protection while they were in prison gets released. The producers are David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman (Mandeville Films), and Jason Filardi and Brian Lutz. 3/27

John Malkovich and Thomas Jane have been cast in “The Mutant Chronicles.” The film is based on a popular role-playing game and is about a group of humans in the 23rd century who battle “NecroMutants” (zombie mutants). The sci-fi actioner is being produced by Edward R. Pressman, Tim Dennison, Stephen Belafonte and Peter La Terriere. Alessandro Camon, Peter Sederowsky, Fred Malmberg, Steve Christian and Charles Finch are executive producing. Isle of Man Film, Ltd. is co-financing the project. 3/27

New Line Cinema has hired Frank Coraci to develop and direct "Hawaiian Dick." The supernatural thriller is based on a comic book by B. Clay Moore and Steven Griffin. The script was written by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift. Set in Hawaii in 1953, the film is about a private eye who investigates the murder of a girl who won’t say dead. 3/27

Michael Madsen, Daryl Hannah, Mykelti Williamson and Mark Boone Junior have all been cast in “Vice.” The indie cop thriller was written and will be directed by Raul Sanchez Inglis. The story focuses on cops who become the target of suspicion when drugs go missing from the evidence impound. Arcview Entertainment is financing the project. Matthew Robert Kelly is producing, while Graham Taylor, Michael Raven and Michael Tan are executive producing. 3/27

Ellen Barkin has been cast in “Ocean’s Thirteen” by Warner Bros. Julia Roberts and Catherine Zeta-Jones are not returning. All the guys are back, however. This installment was written by Brian Koppelman and David Levin. Jerry Weintraub, George Clooney and Steven Soderbergh are producing the project. Soderbergh is continuing his directing duties. Village Roadshow is co-financing. 3/27

Endgame Entertainment has announced the beginning of principal photography on the horror-thriller “Solstice.” Dan Myrick wrote and is directing the film, which stars Elisabeth Harnois, Shawn Ashmore and Tyler Hoechlin. The story revolves around a group that experiences terror when it gathers at a boathouse on a lake after one of the friends’ siblings commits suicide. James D. Stern and Adam Del Deo are producing. 3/27

Mindy Kaling has sold her untitled sorority pitch for six-figures to Fox Filmed Entertainment’s new youth-oriented genre division (the label’s first deal). The comedy is reported to be like a female version of "Revenge of the Nerds" and "Animal House." The project will be produced by Howard Klein (3 Arts Management). Lawrence Grey and Jeff Arkuss will shepherd the film for the division. WMA and 3 Arts represent the writer/actor (she’s Paul Rudd’s ex-girlfriend in “The 40-Year Old Virgin.” Props to the Asian sistah!). 3/28

Comedian Demetri Martin has sold his pitch “Will” to DreamWorks. In the comedy, people’s lives are destined by celestial beings, but the protagonist’s destiny is disrupted when his celestial being quits on him – thus, he has to make his own destiny. 3/28

Simon Kinberg has been tapped to write an untitled female-driven spy thriller by Regency Enterprises and 20th Century Fox. Nicole Kidman will star and produce the project (Blueprint Films), along with Laurence Mark and Jonathan King. The plot is being kept secret, but it’s said to be in the vein of “The Bourne Identity.” Sanford Panitch is shepherding the project for the production company, while Hutch Parker is doing the same for the studio. CAA and attorney Karl Austen represent Kinberg. CAA and attorney Alan Wertheimer represent Kidman. 3/28

Universal has attached Tom Hanks to star in and to produce “How Starbucks Saved My Life,” a film adaptation of the book by Michael Gates Gill. Gus Van Sant is in talks to helm the project. Also producing is Gary Goetzman. The film centers on a middle aged executive who falls on financial and personal hard times, gets a job at Starbucks where he befriends a young guy, and learns how to appreciate life again. CAA represents the author and Hanks. WMA represents Van Sant. 3/28

Columbia is in talks to cast Dennis Quaid and Matthew Fox in “Vantage Point.” The script was written by Barry Levy and is a “Rashomon”-type take on a presidential assassination plot told from five different perspectives. Pete Davis is also in negotiations to direct. 3/28

Stephen Hauser has sold his spec “The Mistaken” to Davis Entertainment in a six-figure deal (from their discretionary fund, no less). Like “The Fugitive” and “The Bourne Identity,” the action-thriller is about an American man who goes on the run after he is mistaken as a terrorist. Fox is circling the project. ICM, manager Britton Rizzio and attorney Rick Genow represent the writer. 3/29

Steven Gary Banks and Claudia Grazioso have been hired by Universal Pictures to polish “Beautiful Asian Brides.” The comedy centers on a man who disguises himself as a mail-order bride after being wrongly accused of murder. Lucy Liu is attached to star. Brian Grazer and Ron Howard are producing. 3/29

George C. Wolfe has been attached to direct "Ring of Fire: The Emile Griffith Story." The boxing movie is based on the documentary of the same name. Columbia Pictures and Paramount Pictures are financing production, development. 3/29

Andrea Lavinthal and Jessica Rozler have sold the film rights to their how-to book "The Hookup Handbook: A Single Girl's Guide to Living It Up." The Weinstein Co./Dimension Films is developing the project as a comedy. 3/29

Crescent City Pictures has announced that Gil Cates Jr. will be directing “Deal,” a poker movie starring Burt Reynolds and Bret Harrison. Michael Arata is producing. 3/29

2 Sticks Prods. has cast Tara Reid in the comedy "7-10 Split." Also starring is Ross Patterson, who wrote the script for the bowling movie. Tommy Reid (Tara’s brother) is directing the film. 3/29

Brent Forrester has sold his comedy pitch "Big Wave" to 20th Century Fox. The film is about a surfer (considered the greatest until a wipeout traumatized him) who comes out of retirement and enters a competition to help some elderly surfers from losing their home. Emmett and Brendan Malloy will direct, while Ben Stiller will star and produce. Also producing is Stuart Cornfeld. Debbie Liebling is managing the project for the studio. 3/30

Robert Kanigel has sold the film rights to his biography "The Man Who Knew Infinity: A Life of the Genius Ramanujan" to Edward R. Pressman Film Corp. The film is about Srinivasa Ramanujan Iyengar, the self-taught genius who went from the poverty of India, rose to the ivory towers of Cambridge University and helped advance mathematics with his radical ideas. Edward Pressman, Sofia Sondervan and Jim Young (Animus Films) are producing. 3/30

Shia LaBeouf is in talks with DreamWorks/Paramount Pictures to star in "Transformers," the live-action version of the animated series about the Autobots and the Decepticons. The actor will play a teenager whose first car turns out to be an Autobot. The script was written by John Rogers, then polished by Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci. Michael Bay is directing. Don Murphy (Angry Films), Tom DeSanto and Lorenzo di Bonaventura are producing, with Steven Spielberg and Brian Goldner (Hasbro) executive producing. Adam Goodman is shepherding the project for the studio. Endeavor and the Beverly Hecht Agency, John Crosby Management and attorney Matthew Saver represent LaBeouf. 3/30

New Line Cinema has bought the film rights to the suspense-thriller "Land of the Living" by Nicci French. The book centers on a young woman whose psyche is gripped by the terrifying memory of when she was kept prisoner by a menacing figure shrouded in darkness as he described the gruesome and sadistic details of acts he committed to his prior victims. James Ellroy will pen the adaptation. Alexandra Milchan is producing, while Joel Gotler is executive producing. 3/30

Ron Bass has been hired by Stone Village to adapt the book “True Believer” by Nicholas Sparks. The story centers on a skeptical journalist who starts believing in the supernatural when he falls for the granddaughter of a clairvoyant. Scott Steindorff and Robin Greenspun are producing.

Also on Stone Village’s plate: a remake of the 1955 caper film “Rififi.” Bo Goldman is contemporizing the story, with Al Pacino starring and Walt Becker directing. The tale is about a thief who comes out of retirement after his wife leaves him. His target: a jewelry store. Steindorff is also producing, while Scott Lastaiti is co-producing. 3/31

New Line Cinema is remaking the Spanish dark crime comedy "Torrente." Mike Bender and Doug Chernack are writing the script about a corrupt, selfish, alcoholic and generally unlikable cop who still manages to fight crime. The project is being produced by Benderspink, while the original film’s Andres Vicente Gomez is executive producing. 3/31

Walt Disney Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment have cast Peter Dinklage in “Underdog,” the live-action version of the animated series. The 60s cartoon was about an ordinary canine named Shoeshine Boy who turned into a rhyming superdog. Adam Rifkin, Joe Piscatella and Craig Williams all took turns on the script. Frederik Du Chau is directing. 3/31

Robin Williams and Mandy Moore have been cast by Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow in "License to Wed." The romantic comedy set in L.A. and Mexico centers on a groom-to-be who fails a two-week premarital class and has to re-woo his fiancée. Ken Kwapis is helming the project. 3/31

Mark Walden has sold the film rights to his book “H.I.V.E.” to Paramount Pictures. Lynda Obst will produce the young adult superhero film about a high school that trains villainous teens. 3/31

February 2006

2006-02-13T10:09:00.000-08:00

Steven Koren has sold his comedy pitch “1,000 Words” to DreamWorks. Nicolas Cage and Norm Golightly will produce, along with Alain Chabat and Stephanie Danan (WAM Films). The supernatural story about an annoyingly slick man who finds out that he only has 1,000 words left to speak before he dies. Adam Goodman and Marc Haimes will oversee for the studio. 2/13

Dave H. Johnson has sold his comedy pitch "Man Wedding” for mid-six figures. Kara Francis and Heidi Sherman (New Regency) are developing the project, along with Peter Principato, Paul Young, Allen Fischer and Melissa Hook. It’s in the vein of "Wedding Crashers." 2/13

“Unaccompanied Minors” is a screenplay being re-written by Paul Feig from an original spec by Jacob Meszaros and Mya Stark (Kate Kondell also did a re-write). It will be produced by Lauren Shuler Donner and Michael Aguilar. Ira Glass, Julie Snyder and Carrie Marrow are executive producing. It was sold to Warner Bros., with executives Dan Lin and Lauren Craniotes overseeing its development. The drama comedy is an adaptation of a radio broadcast segment from Ira Glass' "This American Life." It’s about a group of junior high students from broken homes who create a makeshift holiday when they are stranded at a fictional international airport. Wilsmer Valderrama, Brett Kelly and Tyler James Williams are starring. 2/13

“Mostly Martha,” a remake of a 2001 German romantic comedy, is being adapted by Carol Fuchs. It’s about a beautiful, but shy chef who is wooed by an eccentric sous chef. Catherine Zeta Jones, Aaron Eckhart and Patricia Clarkson are attached to star. The original was written and directed by Sandra Nettlebeck. Scott Hicks is attached to direct the U.S. remake. It's being developed by Castle Rock Entertainment, Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow are funding. Sergio Aguero and Kerry Heyson are producing. Bruce Berman and Susan Cartsonis are executive producing. 2/13

“Things We Lost in the Fire” is a drama screenplay by Allen Loeb that's being produced by Sam Mendes (Scamp Films) for DreamWorks. The studio’s Jeremy Kramer and Mark Sourian are overseeing the project. The film is about a woman whose husband dies suddenly. She invites her husband's troubled best friend to live with her and her family. The friend’s life improves, so he helps the family with their grief. Susanne Bier is going to direct. 2/13

Sheldon Turner has sold his Romantic comedy pitch “The Nice Guy” to Universal for six-figures. Turner will pen the script about a newly single doctor whose frustrations stem from women thinking of him as merely “marriage material.” Ed Zwick, Marshall Herskovitz, and Rick Solomon (Bedford Falls) will produce. 2/14

Christian Gossett’s award-winning comic book “The Red Star” been picked up by Universal Pictures. It’s an epic saga set in an alternate universe where the still-existing Soviet Union is using sorcery and technology to wage war. Timur Bekmambetov, who might direct, is developing and producing with his partners Jim Lemley and Jason Netter. Marc Platt is also producing. Christian Gossett and Ken Levin are executive producing. The project is currently out to writers. 2/14

The political thriller novel “The Attack” has been added to Random House Films and Focus Features’ development slate . The book was written by Mohammed Moulessehoul (pen name Yasmina Khadra). It’s set in Tel Aviv and is about an Arab doctor who learns a horrible secret about his wife after a suicide bombing. John Wells is producing. 2/14 Also being developed by Random House Films and Focus Feature, the dramatic political non-fiction book by Bob Drogin called “Curveball.” It explores the L.A. Times article about the Iraqi informant whose flawed information about biological weapons was used by the U.S. government to justify the Iraq war. 2/14

Mark Wheaton has been hired by New Line to write 11th installment of “Friday the 13th.” It will center on the origins of Jason Vorhees. Toby Emmerich, Cale Boyter and Jeff Katz will oversee for the studio. Michael Bay, Brad Fuller and Andrew Form (Platinum Studios) will produce. 2/14.

The Sci-Fi Comedy “Starship Dave” has been picked up from Paramount in turn-around by 20th Century Fox. Eddie Murphy will star in the movie about a crew of tiny human-looking aliens whose mission it is to save their doomed world. Peter Segal is attached to direct. David Friendly and Marc Turtletaub (Deep River Prods.), and John Berg and Tom Komarnicki (Guy Walks Into a Bar) are producing. Segal's producing partner Michael Ewing is also producing. 2/14

The Weinstein Co. has acquired the pitch “Escape From Planet Earth” by Tony Leech and Cory Edwards. It’s an animated Sci-Fi Comedy Family film (like "Hoodwinked") about a prison break from Area 51, a mysterious government facility where the inmates are a ragtag group of imprisoned aliens from around the universe. Leech is set to direct the project. Producing are Preston Stutzman (Blue Yonder Films) and Jonthan Shestack. Brian Inerfeld and Gregory R. Little (Mainframe Entertainment) are also producing. Jeremy Stein (Jon Shestack Prods.) will co-produce. 2/14

Jonathan Jakubowicz has been hired by Universal Pictures to adapt Robert Ludlum’s thriller “The Sigma Protocol” for the big screen. Jakubowicz is also attached to direct. The thriller is about an American economist and a female U.S. intelligence agent who are targeted by assassins when they discover an international conspiracy that controls global economy and world events. Alert the WTO! Henry Morrison and Jeffrey Weiner will executive produce. 2/15

Focus Features and Hart Sharp Entertainment are tapping Hungarian filmmaker Lajos Koltai to direct the movie adaptation of the best-selling novel “Evening” by Susan Minot. Its screenplay was adapted by Minot and Pulitzer-prize winner Michael Cunningham. The drama is about a dying woman’s recollections of her first true love as a youth. Meanwhile, her two daughters are coming to terms with her impending death. 2/15

Anonymous Content has hired Joe Conway to write the thriller “The Other Side.” The indie is about a 19-year old American who is mistakenly blamed for the death of Mexican girl while on a trip south of the border. The film will be produced by Steve Golin and directed by first-timer Pat Sherman. Beware los federales! 2/15

David Cronenberg will direct “Eastern Promises,” a thriller written by Steven Knight. Like Knight’s “Dirty Pretty Things,” the film is about the dirty underbelly of London and focuses on a young woman who is hounded by criminals when she investigates the death of an enigmatic Russian girl who dies while giving birth on Christmas Eve. Focus Features and BBC Films are overseeing development and distribution. Paul Webster (Kudos Films) is producing. 2/15

Lucky bastard Danioff (he’s engaged to Amanda Peet) has been hired by Columbia to adapt the 2004 Danish film “Brothers” for $2 million. It’s about a man who fights in Afghanistan, while the soldier’s brother takes care of his wife and child. Michael De Luca, Zach Schiff Abrams and Joni Sighvatsson will produce. 2/15

Director John McNaughton is once again working with Mandalay Pictures and writer Stephen Peters to direct “Backstabbers” (formerly "Trophy Wife"). Like the group’s previous outing “Wild Things,” this film is about sex, crime and double-crossing. Mandalay’s David Zelon is overseeing the project. Steven White (Warden, White & Associates) is producing, along with Jerry Li. Reagan Silber is executive producing. While Neve Campbell and Denise Richards are in talks to star, there is no word yet on if Kevin Bacon’s penis will make an appearance. 2/15

First-timer John Schwartzman has been hired by Walden Media to direct “Carlisle School.” The uplifting sports movie is about the football legend Jim Thorpe and how he led a group of Native American kids to defeat the best football teams in the country during the turn of the century. Mark Ciardi and Gordon Gray are producing (natch), along with John Fusco and Jim Crabbe. Walden Media’s Alex Schwartz and Evan Turner are managing the project. 2/15

Stone Village has acquired the movie rights to the novel “This Book Will Save Your Life" by A.M. Homes for six-figures against seven-figures. The book, touted by Stephen King, will be published by Viking in the Spring. It’s about a wealthy L.A. day trader who discovers that he has no loved ones to care for him after he suffers an anxiety attack that lands him in the hospital. Scott Steindorff will produce and finance development himself. The project is out to writers. 2/15

Walden has hired Bobby Moresco to adapt the upcoming baseball novel “Heat” by Mike Lupica. It’s the story of a 12-year old Cuban baseball phenom whose dream of playing in the Little League World Series is compromised when he is accused of being older than he claims. “Heat” will published in the spring by Philomel, an imprint of Penguin. Josephy Del Hierro (Oh Really Prods.) is producing. David Kaufmann, Jared Mass and Alex Schwartz will manage the project for Walden. 2/16

Paramount Pictures has bought the screenplay “Identity Crisis” written by newbies Brent Askari and Chum Langhorne. It’s about a man who loses his memory the morning after his bachelor party. He has 24 hours to straighten things out before he ruins his wedding day. Terra Firma Films' Adam Herz, Greg Lessans and Josh Shader are producing, while Ed Goemans will oversee the project for Paramount along with presidents Brad Weston and Alli Shearmur. 2/16

Jean Labadie (Bac Films) is joining Kees Kasander in producing Peter Greenaway's upcoming film "Nightwatch." The movie tells the true story of Rembrant’s accusation of murder against the Amsterdam Musketeer Militia, which led to the Dutch artist’s ruin. The project is scheduled to begin principal photography in the spring. Bac will also handle co-distribution, along with Content Films. 2/16

Comic book writer Daniel Clowes and auteur Michel Gondry are teaming up to adapt Rudy Rucker's novel "Master of Space and Time" for DreamWorks. It's (what else?) a wacky tale about a scientist who finds a way to mess with reality. Bring your Dramamine. Jack Black is attached to star. 2/17

Gold Circle has bought the Romantic Comedy script "The Push" by newbie Sonny Postiglione. Kirsten Smith and Seth Jaret will produce the film about guys who attract normally inaccessible women by assuming strangely elaborate yet believable charades. 2/17

Ving Rhames (Freedom Reign Prods.) is set to produce and star in the indie film of the Off Broadway play "3/5 of a Man" by Michael Henry Brown. The playwright wrote the adaptation. The drama, set in Virginia, is about how Nat Turner led a successful slave rebellion in 1831, but was ultimately lynched along with his cohorts. 2/17

Javier Bardem has been hired to star in New LineÂs film version of Gabriel Garcia Marquez's "Love in the Time of Cholera," which has been adapted by Ron Harwood. Scott Steindorf (Stone Village) is producing. Mike Newell is directing. The epic drama is about a man who pursues the love of his life for over fifty years. 2/17

Multi-hyphenate Hans-Christian Schmid is set to direct the political thriller "Storm." The film, which Schmid is co-writing with Bernd Lange, focuses on an attorney working for the Hague who discovers that a popular Croatian politician perpetrated a multitude of war-crimes. Scmid will also produce with his company 235 Filmproduktion. 2/17

Ross Venokur has sold his family comedy pitch “All Boxed Up” to New Line for low against mid-six figures. JC Spink and Chris Bender are producing the project about quirky adult siblings who squabble then grow closer when they help their retired parents pack up their belongings. Sam Brown and Kathy Busby are supervising the project for the studio. 2/24

Writer-director Tom McCarthy has been hired by producer Kevin Misher to write the romantic comedy “Glory Days” for Paramount Pictures. It’s about a woman who experiences love and heartbreak at her 10-year college reunion. Patrick Baker will manage the project for Misher Films, while Pam Abdy will oversee it for the studio. 2/21

James Mangold has announced that his next project will be an update of the western “3:10 to Yuma” which was based on a short story written by Elmore Leonard. The new script was written by Stuart Beattie, working off drafts by Michael Brandt and Derek Haas. It’s about a sheriff determined on bringing captured bandits to justice. It will be produced by Cathy Konrad for Columbia Pictures. 2/21

Writer-director-actor Nick Cassavates has been tapped to develop the biographical drama “Bombing Harvey” about John Birges, a Hungarian scientist-turned-landscape contractor who tried to recover his gambling losses by trying to extort $3 million from a Harvey’s Lake Tahoe casino with a bomb threat. Julie and Rick Yorn (Firm Films) are set to produce, along with Joey Rappa and Joe Fries (Pelagius Films). 2/21

New Line has bought the film rights to Karyn Bosnak’s book "20 Times a Lady," which Harper-Collins is releasing in the summer. Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson (Contrafilm) are producing. Bosnak will pen the adaptation. It’s a comic tale about a woman who, after sleeping with her 20th lover, decides to re-examine the last 19 men with whom she’s had sex to see if she let “the one” slip through her fingers. Gitty Deneshavri will develop the project for Contrafilms, along with New Line’s Toby Emmerich, Mark Kaufman, Kathy Busby and Daryl Friemark. 2/21

Lionsgate has picked up theatrical distribution rights for Larry the Cable Guy’s feature film debut "Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector," which was produced by J.P. Williams and Alan Blomquist (Parallel Entertainment Pictures). Paramount will retain the home video rights. The film was directed by Trent Cooper, and written by Jonathan Bernstein and James Greer. It’s about Larry the Cable Guy as a health inspector making waves in upscale restaurants with his uncouth manners. 2/21

"Rabbi Paul," the biography of St. Paul by theologian Bruce Chilton, has been snatched up for feature film development by producers Alan and Peter Riche, producers Mark Koch and Daniel de Liege (Prelude Pictures), and producers David Salzberg, Christian Tureaud and Peter Gruber (Mandalay Integrated Media Entertainment). It’s based on the apostle’s spiritual change from hating Christianity to becoming the religion’s greatest promoter. 2/21

Academy Award winning-screenwriter Ben Affleck has cast his brother Casey and Michelle Monaghan to star in his directorial debut "Gone Baby Gone,” based on the novel by Dennis Lehane. Affleck penned the adaptation and is about two private detectives who must delve into Boston’s underworld in order to find a kidnapped four-year-old child. The film is being produced by Sean Bailey and Matt Damon (LivePlanet), along with Alan Ladd Jr. and Dan Rissner, for Miramax. 2/21

Romanian director Giuliano Draguleanu and his producing partner Ovidiu Halmagean are developing the 3-D animation film "A Hard Life” set in 1920s New York about a cockroach and hamster who are searching for the bug’s family. Producers Johann Wiener, Frits Harkema and Andy Birmingham are also involved. They're all looking for money for the project. Got any? 2/21

Chris Rock has been tapped to star in the Fox Searchlight Pictures remake "I Think I Love My Wife,” based on Eric Rohmer's French film "Chloe in the Afternoon." Charles Stone is in negotiations to direct. The comedy script was co-written by Rock and Louis C.K. The original was about a salary man whose marriage is tested when a friend’s lover tries to seduce him. Endeavor and Mosaic Media rep Rock. UTA reps Stone and C.K. Attorney Craig Emanuel also reps Stone. 3 Arts Entertainment and attorney John Sloss also rep C.K. 2/22

David Strathairn is joining Matthew McConaughey and Matthew Fox in Warner Bros. Pictures’ untitled football project. McG is helming the movie about the disastrous 1970 plane crash that killed the Marshall University football team, coaching staff, reporters and various fans. Legendary Pictures is co-financing the movie. McG (Wonderland Sound & Vision) is producing, along with Basil Iwanyk (Thunder Road). Brent O'Connor, Thomas Tull, Jeanne Allgood and Scott Mednick are executive producing. Legendary Pictures is financing the project. Mary Viola is managing the film for Thunder Road, while Allgood is for Wonderland, and Lynn Harris is for WB. 2/22

Walt Disney Pictures has hired Robert Nelson Jacobs to collaborate with Dean DeBlois in rewriting "The Banshee and Fin Magee." The supernatural mystery kid’s picture is about a lonely boy who fantasizes about being a ghost, then actually meets a real spirit. DeBlois is producing the project. Gersh and attorney Carlos Goodman rep Jacobs. 2/22

Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore have signed on to star in "Grey Gardens," a drama that draws from the 1976 documentary film by David and Albert Maysles about the quirky relatives of Jacqueline Kennedy. Commercial director Michael Sucsy penned the screenplay and will direct the feature. He will also produce with Lucy Barzun and Rachael Horovitz. CAA and Cinetic Media are packaging the project. 2/22

MTV Films and Paramount have acquired the feature film rights to Midway Games' yet-to-be-released "The Wheelman," with Vin Diesel starring. The action game and film is about an expert driver who comes out of retirement to protect a woman from his past. Rich Wilkes is writing the screenplay for the movie. Diesel will also produce with his Tigon Studios partner Samantha Vincent. David Gale, Loretha Jones and Jason Weiss are overseeing the project for MTV Films, while Dan Levine, Matt Jackson and Eben Davidson are managing it for Paramount. 2/22

Actor Romany Malco has sold his comedy pitch “The Recruiter” to Universal Studios. The film will be a slice-of-life tale about a Marine recruiter. Malco will also star. Judd Apatow will produce. Rob Siegel will pen the screenplay. Donna Langley and Holly Bario will oversee the project for the studio. 2/22

Universal has bought the film rights to “Deceit,” the soon-to-be-published novel by James Siegel. Lorenzo Di Bonaventura is producing, while Jon Gordon is shepherding for the studio. Warner Books is releasing in the summer. The author’s deal was brokered by Inkwell’s Richard Pine. The story is about deception in the world of journalism and publishing. 2/22

Paramount Classics has acquired Alex and David Pastor’s futuristic untitled thriller screenplay. Alex Pastor will direct. The film revolves around four friends who turn on each other while trying to survive a deadly pandemic. Anthony Bregman (This Is That) will produce. 2/22

Rogue Pictures has bought the film rights to the comic book “Hack/Slash,” with Todd Lincoln attached to direct. Adrian Askarieh and Daniel Alter are producing, along with Howard Sun co-producing. Lincoln will pen the script with collaborator Martin Schenk. The comic is about a young woman named Cassie Hack who travels around the country confronting homicidal maniacs and serial killers. It was created by Tim Seeley and Stefano Caselli and published by Devil's Due Publishing. 2/22

Actress Sarah Polley is directing her first feature titled “Away From Her” and has signed on Julie Christie and Olympia Dukakis to star. Polley also penned the screenplay, adapted from the short story "The Bear Came Over the Mountain" by fellow Canadian Alice Munro and is about a couple whose marriage faces turmoil when the wife loses her memory and begins to fall in love with a fellow nursing home patient. Jennifer Weiss, Simone Urdl and Daniel Iron are producing. Atom Egoyan are executive producing. Victoria Hirst is co-producing. Capri Releasing will handle Canadian distribution, William Morris Independent for the U.S., while HanWay will sell the film internationally. The film is being financed by Telefilm Canada, the Canadian Television Fund, Astral Media's the Harold Greenberg Fund, the Movie Network, the Ontario Media Development Corp. and Movie Central. 2/22

Tom Musca has been hired by producers Piedad Palacios and Eric Maleson to write the screenplay for the fictionalized bio of Maleson’s life in the movie "Better Than Gold” about the Brazilian bobsled team in the Torino Winter Olympics. Rodrigo Santoro is in talks to star. 2/22Billy Bob Thornton has signed on to direct and star in "Floyd Collins" for Paramount Pictures. Tom Epperson has penned the script from Robert Murray and Roger Brucker’s book "Trapped!: The Story of Floyd Collins" about the titular Collins’ 13-dayordeal of being trapped in a Kentucky cave, causing a media frenzy in 1925. Geyer Kosinski (Media Talent Group) is producing, along with Bruce Heller and David Bushell. 2/22

Producers Rob Fried and Dan Keston (Fried Films/the Pantry) have bought the horror spec "Damned" written by newbies Jim Agnew and Sean Keller. The film is about a family whose plane not only crashes into the woods, but is also subjected to an ordeal caused by demon-fearing religious zealots. Principal Entertainment and attorney Mark Temple represent Agnew and Keller. 2/23

Anne Hathaway is joining Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen, and Leslie Mann in Judd Apatow’s romantic comedy “Knocked Up.” Apatow is writing and directing the film for Universal, and is producing with Shauna Robertson. Rogen and Evan Goldberg are taking executive producer duties. The film is about a 20-something guy who discovers that he has impregnated one of his one night stands. Donna Langley, Holly Bario and Erik Baiers are managing the project for the studio. CAA and Management 360 represent Hathaway. 2/23

Paramount Pictures has hired Mark Walberg to star in and Antoine Fuqua to direct the political thriller "Shooter," which is an adaptation of Stephen Hunter's novel "Point of Impact." Lorenzo di Bonaventura is producing. The book, published in 1993, is about a sharpshooter who is double-crossed by his associates and framed for the president’s assassination. The screenplay was written by Jonathan Lemkin. Brad Weston is overseeing the film for the studio. Endeavor, manager Steve Levinson and attorney Jason Sloane represent Wahlberg. CAA and attorneys Barry Hirsch and Bob Wallerstein represent Fuqua. 2/23

Jessica Biel has been cast alongside Nicolas Cage and Julianne Moore to star in the sci-fi thriller "Next." Lee Tamahori is directing the film for Revolution Studios. The screenplay, based on the short story "The Golden Man" by Philip K. Dick, was written by Gary Goldman. It’s about a clairvoyant man who is pursued by the FBI to stop a global terror attack. Cage, Todd Garner, Norm Golightly, Graham King and Arne Schmidt are producing. Derek Dauchy is shepherding the project for Revolution. CAA, Management 360 and attorney Karl Austen represent Biel. 2/23

Simon West is in talks with Screen Gems to direct the horror thriller “Vacancy.” The screenplay, which was written by Mark L. Smith, is about a young married couple who face mortal peril when they get stranded at a motel in the middle of nowhere. Hal Lieberman is the producer on the project. Eric Paquette is managing the project for the studio. CAA represents West. 2/24

Columbia Pictures has hired Chris Weitz to develop Neil Strauss' how-to seduction manual "The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists." The book, published by ReganBooks, tells the first person account of how Strauss changed from being a romantic zero to a seductive hero. Weitz is producing with his brother Paul, along with Michael De Luca. Andrew Miano is executive producing. 2/24

Amy Talkington has been hired by Fox 2000 to adapt the upcoming comedy novel tentatively titled "The Devil in the Junior League” by Linda Francis Lee. St. Martin’s Press is publishing the book. The story is about a Texas woman who is left pregnant and broke by her husband. She convinces a lawyer into helping her by agreeing to transform his crude wife into Junior League quality. Laura Hopper is producing. Carla Hacken and Erin Lindsey are managing the project for the studio. UTA, Rigberg Entertainment Group and attorney Warren Dern represent Talkington. 2/24

Multi-hyphenate Wayne Kramer has sold his spec "Evilseek" to The Weinstein Co. Kramer is also attached to direct the supernatural thriller and to produce with partner Michael Pierce. Thomas Jane is attached to star. The screenplay is about how Satan possesses the body of a cop who committed suicide in order to catch a serial killer. TWC is financing the project. Michael Cole, Michelle Krum and Carla Gardini are overseeing the film for the company. 2/24

Director David Dobkin and Vince Vaughn are in talks to re-team in "Fred Claus." The comedy is set up at WB and is about Santa's loser brother. The script is by Dan Fogelman. Dobkin and Jessie Nelson are producing. Vaughn is represented by UTA and Gold-Miller management. 2/27

Screenwriter Jeffrey Nachmanoff has been hired by The Walt Disney Co to work on several scripts. First, he’ll polish the adaptation of the video game “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” for producer Jerry Bruckheimer. The film and game is about a heroic prince who allies himself with an enemy princess to stop the destructive plans of an evil lord. Second, Nachmanoff will work on another Bruckheimer property called "Unnatural History" which is an action film about a family that gets locked in a museum and must survive its suddenly alive and deadly exhibits. Nachmanoff will also work on "Liberty," a tent-pole film being produced by LivePlanet that has a band of patriots that has to fight a conflict using Cold War-era weapons after modern America’s technology is crippled. 2/27

DreamWorks has hired Rita Hsiao to pen "A Guy Not Taken," the romantic comedy film adaptation of a short story written by best-selling author Jennifer Weiner. The tale is about a married woman who gets to experience the life she could’ve lived, had she chosen to be with another man. Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald are producing, along with Chris Bender. JC Spink and Jake Weiner are executive producing. 2/27

Steven Strait and Camilla Belle are set to star in Roland Emmerich’s next directorial project "10,000 B.C." which Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures are co-financing. The prehistoric epic is about a young hunter who traverses the great frontier to save not only his tribe, but also his paramour. Emmerich and Michael Wimer are producing (Centropolis Entertainment), along with Mark Gordon. Harald Kloser, Tom Karnowski and Thomas Tull are executive producing. Emmerich and Kloser wrote the first drafts. John Orloff and Matthew Sand wrote its revisions, and Robert Rodat closed the project. Dan Lin is overseeing for WB. CAA and Cristina Routh represent Belle. ICM represents Strait. 2/27

Lightstorm Entertainment and for 20th Century Fox have hired Laeta Kalogridis to write the bio "The Dive." James Cameron is planning on directing the film. The film is about life and death of Audrey Mestre, a freediver who would swim to incredible depths until she tragically died while trying to break her own world record. Producing the film are Jon Landau and Rae Sanchini. The story was first reported in Sports Illustrated by Gary Smith, then in books by Smith and Audrey Mestre’s husband Francisco "Pipin" Ferraras. 2/27

Warner Bros. Pictures has snatched up the film rights to Scott Lynch's fantasy epic "The Lies of Locke Lamora," part one of a seven-book series. Michael De Luca and Julie Yorn are set to produce. Set in a Venice-like city called Camorr, the books are about a likeable crook named Locke Lamora and his merry band called Gentleman Bastards. Kevin McCormick and Jess Rosenthal are shepherding the project for WB. 2/27

Director Aaron Woodley has cast Mariah Carrey in "Tennessee." The indie drama was written by Russell Schaumberg and is being produced by Lee Daniels. The film is about two brothers, one of whom has leukemia. The guys set out to look for their long-lost father with the help of a waitress. 2/27

Touchstone Pictures has cast Dominic Purcell and Orlando Jones in the thriller "Primeval." The film, which is being produced by Gavin Polone (Pariah), is about a t.v. crew that goes to South Africa to document the existence of a 25-foot man-eating crocodile, while also dealing with equally deadly local warlords. John Brancato and Michael Ferris wrote the screenplay, and Michael Katleman will direct the project. 2/28

Michael Lander and Ryan Roy have sold their prison drama “Kite” to Warner Bros. Pictures for Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Simpson (Appian Way) to produce. DiCaprio might also star. The script is a fictional account of real events that uncover the gang culture and guard corruption in the California maximum security prison system. Kevin McCormick will shepherd the project for the studio. Endeavor and Anonymous Content represent Lander and Roy. 2/28

Universal Pictures has nabbed the film rights to the soon-to-be published comic novel “Company” by Max Barry. The satire focuses on the frustrating experiences of a young business school grad who lands an entry-level job in a big company. Tom Shadyac and Michael Bostik (Shady Acres) will produce. Luke Janklow will executive produce. Steve Pink will pen the adaptation. Donna Langley and Holly Bario will shepherd the project for the studio, while Amanda Morgan will do the same for Shady Acres. 2/28