Jonah Hill heads to '21 Jump Street'
Actor will help develop film adaptation of series

By TATIANA SIEGEL

Jonah Hill is in negotiations to develop a modern-day adaptation of "21 Jump Street" for Columbia Pictures.

The smallscreen property, which aired from 1987-91 on Fox and starred Johnny Depp, revolved around a group of young cops who worked undercover in high schools and colleges.

The "Superbad" thesp would develop the screenplay as a potential starring vehicle and serve as executive producer.

Neal Moritz will produce the film with Stephen J. Cannell, who co-created and exec produced the series.

Hill, who can be seen onscreen in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," next co-stars in the comedy "This Side of the Truth" and has a voice role in DreamWorks Animation's "How to Train Your Dragon." He is attached to star in the Judd Apatow-produced comedy "Get Him to the Greek" for Universal and director Nick Stoller.

Directors team for 'My Son'

Werner Herzog, David Lynch take on murder drama

By Gregg Goldstein

CANNES -- Werner Herzog and David Lynch are teaming for "My Son, My Son," a horror-tinged murder drama based on a true story.

Herzog and his longtime assistant director Herbert Golder co-wrote "Son," loosely based on the true story of a San Diego man who acts out a Sophocles play in his mind and kills his mother with a sword. The low-budget feature will flash back and forth from the murder scene to the disturbed man's story. A guerrilla-style digital video shoot on Coronado Island is tentatively set for March.

In a separate development, Lynch's Absurda production company has attached Asia Argento and Udo Kier to star with Nick Nolte in Alejandro Jodorowsky's metaphysical gangster movie "King Shot."

Marilyn Manson is touted to appear as a prophet in the "Sin City"-style film, which producer Eric Bassett said has enough sex and violence to guarantee an NC-17 rating.

Lynch is executive producing both projects, and Absurda is repping their sales rights in the Cannes market.

"Son" is produced by Eric Bassett, who also is producing "King" with his Absurda colleague Norm Hill and Clavis Films' Simon Shandor.

Herzog, repped by Gersh, is having a busy 2008. He was set to film "Son" in the summer but postponed it to direct Nicolas Cage in a remake of Abel Ferrara's "Bad Lieutenant" starting in July. In the fall, he will shoot the Victorian-era drama "The Piano Tuner" for Focus Features.

Rob Corddry lands 'Project A'

Ben Stiller among producers for actor's first starring role

By Borys Kit

Rob Corddry has landed his first starring role with "Project A," a New Line action comedy being produced by Ben Stiller and Stuart Cornfeld via their Red Hour shingle.

Corddry will star as the "A" in the venture, playing a man trained by the U.S. government as a Cold War experiment to become the world's biggest jerk. The script is written by Etan Cohen, one of the writers of Stiller's upcoming "Tropic Thunder."

The project has been in development for several years, and Corddry has long wanted in on it.

"Ben and Stuart gave it to me to read years ago, and it's always been the first thing I ask my agents and managers about," Corddry told The Hollywood Reporter. "They've always said, 'Go open a movie first!' "

Corddry is onscreen in New Line's "Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay" and "What Happens in Vegas," stealing scenes as he's always done since his getting his start as a correspondent on "The Daily Show."

He said he's happy to reach the stage of his career where is being considered for larger roles.

"I'm slowly working my way up the ladder, starting from high school drama class," he said. "I am hoping this will break my cherry, as it were." Only half-joking, he added, "I've never been higher than No. 3 on the call sheet."

No director is attached to "Project A."

Richard Brener and Dave Neustadter are overseeing.

Corddry, repped by Endeavor and Principato/Young, is prepping to portray former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer in Oliver Stone's "W," which he will shoot in June.

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Daniel Day-Lewis eyes 'Nine' role
Actor in talks to join Rob Marshall musical

By MICHAEL FLEMING

Daniel Day-Lewis is in talks to star in "Nine," the musical Rob Marshall is directing for the Weinstein Co.

Day-Lewis would play the role of Guido Contini, replacing Javier Bardem, who dropped out of a planned fall start, stating he was exhausted from work and awards season. The role is a famous film director who experiences personal and creative crisis while trying to balance all the women in his life.

Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Sophia Loren, Nicole Kidman and Judi Dench will play the women.

The original stage musical was inspired by the Fellini film "8½"; Michael Tolkin adapted the screenplay, and Anthony Minghella turned in a rewrite before he died.

Landing Day-Lewis is a coup for Harvey Weinstein, whose first association with the actor came when Weinstein's Miramax Films acquired distribution rights to the 1989 Jim Sheridan-directed film "My Left Foot."

While actor and distributor clashed over the marketing, Day-Lewis later credited Weinstein with gaining notice for a small Irish film that might otherwise have disappeared. Day-Lewis won his first Academy Award for his portrayal of Christy Brown, who fought through cerebral palsy to become a noted writer. He won his second Oscar this year for "There Will Be Blood."

A TWC spokesman denied that a lead had been set: "Any of the names being thrown around is pure conjecture, and when we're ready to make an announcement, we'll let you know."

Now, THAT would be interesting!

George Clooney to 'Stare at Goats'
Grant Heslov to direct Jon Ronson adaptation

By SHARON SWART

George Clooney will topline, and his Smoke House partner Grant Heslov will helm, "Men Who Stare at Goats."

Pic is an adaptation of British journalist Jon Ronson's book about the U.S. Army's First Earth Battalion, a unit that was to use paranormal powers. Title refers to the notion that one can kill a goat by staring at it.

Script was penned by Brit Peter Straughan ("How to Lose Friends and Alienate People"). The project has been around for some time, but international buyers only just received the script this week as the Cannes fest and market got started. Script topped the 2007 Brit List of best unproduced screenplays.

Financing and producing mix, which is still in flux, is expected to include Winchester, BBC Films and Mandate Pictures.

Danny Glover returns to 'Boys'
Lonny Price to direct Athol Fugard adaptation

By MICHAEL FLEMING

Danny Glover will reprise his stage role in a bigscreen adaptation of Athol Fugard's apartheid-era play "Master Harold... and the Boys."

Pic will be helmed by Lonny Price, who directed Glover in the recent Broadway revival and played opposite him in the stage production 20 years ago.

The title role will be played by Thomas Sangster, the "Love Actually" star who'll play the title role in the Steven Spielberg-directed "Tintin."

The U.K./South Africa co-production will begin production on July 10 in Durban, South Africa.

London-based Focus Films put the film together, with Focus' David Pupkewitz and Malcolm Kohll producing along with Nelle Nugent. Laurette Marais co-produces.

Morris Ruskin, who'll be one of the exec producers, is handling worldwide sales at Cannes through his Shoreline Entertainment.

Elizabeth Banks to produce 'Pitch Perfect'

Universal acquired the rights to Mickey Rapkin's book

By Borys Kit

Universal hopes to hit just the right note with "Pitch Perfect," acquiring the rights to a nonfiction tome by Mickey Rapkin for Elizabeth Banks to produce.

Kay Cannon ("30 Rock") has been tapped to write the adaptation, which Banks will produce with her Brownstone Prods. shingle partner Max Handelman.

Rapkin, senior editor at GQ magazine, spent a season covering competitive collegiate a cappella. He followed the teams from Tuft University, the University of Oregon and the University of Virginia, writing about the singing, groupies, partying and rivalries.

"Pitch" is intended to be a comedy set in that world. Rapkin's book is due out this month via Gotham Books.

Banks and Handelman are also producing the in-production Disney sci-fi thriller "The Surrogates" along with Mandeville Films.

Banks, who is not attached to act in "Pitch," next shoots Oliver Stone's "W." She is repped at UTA and Untitled.

Cannon is a writer and performer on "30 Rock" and did a rewrite on "Baby Mama." She is repped by Endeavor and Brillstein Entertainment.

James Cameron to stick with 3-D

Director eyes the true story 'Dive'

By Carolyn Giardina

James Cameron is looking to continue his pioneering stereoscopic 3-D efforts -- though not necessarily with a big action movie or visual effects-laden project like "Avatar."

"After 'Avatar,' I want to do something a lot smaller," Cameron said Thursday.

On the director's sonar is "The Dive," a true story about the romance between controversial Cuban free diver Francisco "Pipin" Ferreras and Frenchwoman Audrey Mestre. Under his guidance, Mestre became a free diver who broke several world records but died in 2002 while competing. (Free-diving competitors must hold their breath for long periods of time while deep under water.)

"It's a drama, a love story," Cameron said. "This will require underwater photography, which will look gorgeous in 3-D."

When dramatic 3-D is achieved, Cameron believes it could bring about "the kind of uncomfortable feeling that people like in a movie theater; they feel like they are being challenged. It can actually be quite powerful.

"I think (3-D for drama) is the big overlooked area (now) because the economics don't really drive that direction."

Cameron added that action and computer animation will likely drive the 3-D market for a while, but with the infrastructure gains on the way, he expects that will change.

"The visual aesthetic of doing dramatic stuff in 3-D is very simple," he said. "Just don't remind people that they are watching a 3-D movie. That will take them out of the experience."

Ferreras was a central figure in a 2001 Imax documentary, "Ocean Men: Extreme Dive."

"Avatar" is scheduled to open Dec. 18, 2009.

Mary Elizabeth Winstead joins 'Pilgrim'

To star opposite Michael Cera in the adventure romance

By Borys Kit

Mary Elizabeth Winstead is in negotiations to star opposite Michael Cera in Universal's "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World." Edgar Wright is directing the adventure romance.

In "Pilgrim," Winstead will play the dream woman of a young slacker (Cera). But the only way he can win her heart is by battling and defeating her seven evil ex-boyfriends.

The project is based on the Oni Press graphic novel "Scott Pilgrim Volume 1: Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life," written by Bryan Lee O'Malley. Michael Bacall and Wright wrote the screenplay.

Marc Platt and Eric Gitter are producing along with Wright and Nira Park, who produce via Big Talk Prods.

The role could take Winstead ("Live Free or Die Hard") to leading lady status much the same way "Knocked Up" raised Katherine Heigl's profile when she was paired opposite Seth Rogen.

Universal's Donna Langley, Jeff Kirschenbaum and David Ortiz are overseeing.

Winstead is repped by Paradigm and Betty Winstead.

Rudin, Baumbach team for 'Greenburg'

Mark Ruffalo and Amy Adams to star

By Gregg Goldstein

CANNES -- Mark Ruffalo and Amy Adams are attached to star in writer-director Noah Baumbach's next feature, "Greenburg," for producer Scott Rudin.

Plot details are under wraps for the film, which is said to be a relationship comedy-drama. UTA is shopping the project in Cannes and financing is currently being assembled. While no timetable is set for principal photography, Rudin is aiming to shoot later this year.

Rudin produced "Margot at the Wedding," Baumbach's 2007 follow-up to his breakthrough drama "The Squid and the Whale."

Adams is now shooting another Rudin project, Columbia's "Julie and Julia," and is set to wrap "Night at the Museum 2: Escape from the Smithsonian" by this fall. Ruffalo is filming Martin Scorsese's "Shutter Island" for Paramount.

'Greatest' gig for Brosnan, Sarandon
Family drama hooks duo

By MICHAEL FLEMING

Pierce Brosnan and Susan Sarandon are set to star in "The Greatest," a drama that marks the directing debut of its screenwriter, Shana Feste.

The drama revolves around a young girl who throws into chaos a family that is trying to get over the loss of a teenage son. Brosnan and Sarandon play the grieving parents. Shooting will begin this summer on the East Coast.

Barbarian Films will finance and serve as exec producer on the co-production of Silverwood Films and Brosnan's Irish DreamTime. Silverwood's Lynette Howell and Irish DreamTime's Beau St. Clair will produce.

Brosnan will exec produce with Doug Dey, Aaron Kaufman, Douglas Kuber and Ron Hartenbaum.

"What drew us to this piece is Shana's rare ability to uniquely dramatize the complicated dynamics of a family's struggle to stay together as they deal with unforeseen tragedy," said St. Clair.

Kimmel Intl. is brokering overseas rights on the film, while a domestic distribution deal is being put together by CAA (which reps Brosnan) in tandem with Endeavor, which reps Feste and Silverwood and whose independent division put together the financing.

Brosnan will next be seen starring alongside Meryl Streep in Universal's "Mamma Mia!," and he will reprise the title role in "The Thomas Crown Affair 2," which Paul Verhoeven will direct for MGM.

Sarandon, who just opened in "Speed Racer," just wrapped the Peter Jackson-directed "The Lovely Bones."

Weinstein to produce 'Alchemist'
TWC to handle worldwide sales

By ALI JAAFAR

Harvey Weinstein is working his magic to bring "The Alchemist" to the bigscreen more than a decade after author Paolo Coelho sold the film rights to his bestselling novel.

Production on the $60 million project is set to start late spring with Weinstein personally producing for the Weinstein Co., which will also handle worldwide sales.

Project had initially been set at Warner Bros. after Coelho sold the rights 14 years ago for $250,000. As the project languished, Coelho unsuccessfully tried to buy back the rights, at one point event having a $2 million offer rebuffed.

Laurence Fishburne eventually acquired the feature rights with indie banner A-Mark Entertainment from Warner Bros.

Fishburne is still attached to direct, star and produce although Weinstein will be bringing in a new writer, reportedly an Oscar-winning scribe, to deliver a fresh draft of the script.

"The Lord of the Rings" producer Barrie Osborne has, however, ankled the project. He had been due to co-produce with Fishburne and Helen Sugland while the project had been set at A-Mark.

Weinstein is believed to have acquired the film rights from Fishburne and A-Mark for just under $3 million. Weinstein Co. refused to comment on the size of the deal, which was brokered by Paradigm Motion Picture Finance Group, who also rep Fishburne.

Move is something of a coup for Weinstein, who was in an ebullient mood at the Cannes confab announcing the deal.

"This is a great turnaround situation," Weinstein said. "The film will be a bridge to the Middle East. The book has been an overwhelming success there. It's a part of the world we need to know more about and extend bridges to it."

Story centers on a young Spaniard who embarks on a quest to find a hidden treasure within the Egyptian pyramids. Since its debut in 1988, the novel has sold more than 40 million copies in over 150 countries.

"I hope this is finally going to be made now after 14 years of waiting," Coelho told Variety. "We finally have something that is very concrete. All I want is to see a good movie."

Project will lense in multiple countries with the Weinstein Co. looking at potential locations in Spain, Jordan, Morocco, Egypt and Abu Dhabi.

Fishburne had initially set up the project with coin from Abu Dhabi execs and Japanese conglom the Kadokawa Group.

The sticking point at the time appears to have been disagreements over the script, which had upped the action ante with battle scenes in addition to the spiritual meditations of the original book. Budget at the time had been $100 million.

"While staying true to the spirit, we were making a mainstream film and thought we had an innovative, cool approach," Osborne told Variety.

Pic will now be 100% financed by the Weinstein Co.

Abu Dhabi sources told Variety they would still be open to having the project shoot in the emirate although no specific negotiations had been set between the two parties.

John Cusack set for '2012'
Actor to star in Roland Emmerich's thriller

By TATIANA SIEGEL

John Cusack has signed on to topline Roland Emmerich’s apocalyptic thriller “2012” for Columbia Pictures.

“Redbelt” star Chiwetel Ejiofor also is in talks to join the big-budget epic, whose title refers to the end days of human civilization as foretold by the ancient Mayan calendar.

Story kicks off with a global cataclysm, which brings an end to the world as we know it, and chronicles the heroic struggle of the survivors.

Emmerich and Harald Kloser penned the screenplay, which Sony bought in February.

Shooting will begin in July in Los Angeles, barring a Screen Actors Guild strike.

Mark Gordon, Kloser and Larry Franco are producing. Emmerich is exec producing.

Cusack, who most recently starred in the horror film “1408,” will next be seen in satire “War, Inc.,” which he also wrote and produced. He is currently shooting “Shanghai” for the Weinstein Co.

Cusack is repped by WMA. Ejiofor, whose recent credits include “Talk to Me” opposite Don Cheadle, recently wrapped Danny Glover’s historical drama “Toussaint,” also opposite Cheadle.

Ejiofor is handled by ICM.

Will Smith to produce 'Sticks'
WB acquires rights to French B.O. success

By MICHAEL FLEMING

Warner Bros. and Overbrook Entertainment have acquired the rights to remake "Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis," the comedy that broke box office records in France earlier this year.

Will Smith and James Lassiter will produce with Ken Stovitz. Pathe Intl. controlled rights to the film.

The original is a hicks-in-the-sticks tale about a post office manager who has a nice outpost in the South of France but ends up banished to a rainy town in northern France, where he finds the local patois unintelligible.

The Dany Boon-directed film grossed more than $190 million in France alone.

The pic will be developed by WB under the title "Welcome to the Sticks."

"There are only 65 million people who live in France, and $191 million seemed to defy all logic. But when we saw the film, it's obvious why it works," Stovitz said. "We will probably place the character in a global corporation, and he literally gets sent to the sticks, but finds that rather than a backward place, it provides all that was missing in his life."

Overbrook has been in overdrive, as Smith and Lassiter's recent credits include the July 2 opener "Han****," the Jada Pinkett Smith-directed "The Human Contract," the Sept. 19 opener "Lakeview Terrace," Oct. 17 opener "The Secret Life of Bees" and the Gabriele Muccino-directed "Seven Pounds," which stars Smith and opens Dec. 12.

Steve Buscemi joins 'Revolt'
Ray Liotta also to star in Arteta comedy

By MICHAEL FLEMING

Steve Buscemi, Ray Liotta, Jean Smart and M. Emmet Walsh have joined Michael Cera in "Youth in Revolt," the Miguel Arteta-directed comedy for Dimension Films.

Pic is based on the C.D. Payne novel, which was adapted by Gustin Nash, Arteta and Cera. David Permut is producing, and Steve Longi is co-producing with Miranda Freiberg.

"Youth in Revolt" is one of TWC's priority titles at Cannes, where the company is selling overseas territories on that film, "Piranha 3-D," "All Good Things" and "Shanghai."

Cera plays teenager Nick Twisp, who meets the girl of his dreams on a family vacation and destroys the trip trying to be with her.

Buscemi, who plays the teen's father, most recently directed and starred in "Interview" and is recording a lead voice in Disney's "G-Force." He just finished shooting the Florian Gallenberger-directed "John Rabe."

Lasse Hallstrom sparks to 'Dear John'
Channing Tatum to star in Sparks adaptation

By MICHAEL FLEMING

Lasse Hallstrom is set to direct Channing Tatum in "Dear John," a Nicholas Sparks book adaptation that starts production in September.

Screen Gems and Relativity Media have come aboard the film, which had been developed by Temple Hill partners Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey for New Line as part of their first-look producing deal.

It is one of the first high-profile titles to be put into turnaround since New Line was downsized.

Bowen and Godfrey are producing. Relativity's Ryan Kavanaugh and Tucker Tooley will exec produce.

Tatum stars as a soldier who, while home on leave, falls for a conservative college student.

Relativity will fully finance the film, while Screen Gems will distribute domestically and in a few other territories.

Relativity has engaged Mandate Intl. to broker offshore territories. "Dear John" is being sold at Cannes with two other Relativity-financed films: the Simon West-directed Vin Diesel starrer "Executive Order 6," and the Samuel Bayer-directed Scarlett Johansson starrer "Brilliant."

Sparks' books have been the basis for the films "Message in a Bottle," "The Notebook," "A Walk to Remember" and the recently completed Diane Lane-Richard Gere starrer "Nights in Rodanthe."

"I went after it aggressively," said Screen Gems topper Clint Culpepper. "Lasse handles this material so well."

Tatum is currently shooting "G.I. Joe."

Jake Gyllenhaal is Disney's 'Prince'
Actor to star in 'Persia' videogame adaptation

By MARC GRASER

Jake Gyllenhaal is Disney's "Prince of Persia."

The Mouse has tapped the thesp to topline Jerry Bruckheimer's big-budget adaptation of Ubisoft's hit fantasy actioner that the producer and Disney hope to turn into another lucrative franchise similar to "Pirates of the Caribbean."

Gemma Arterton also has been cast to co-star alongside Gyllenhaal as Tamina in "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time." She next appears in the upcoming James Bond outing "Quantum of Solace" in November.

Production on "Persia" starts in July, with Mike Newell lensing from a script by Doug Miro and Carlo Bernard, Boaz Yakin and the game's creator Jordan Mechner. Studio will release next summer.

Gyllenhaal will play Dastan, a young prince in sixth century Persia who must join forces with Tamina, a feisty and exotic princess, to prevent a villainous nobleman from possessing the Sands of Time, a gift from the gods that can reverse time and allow its possessor to rule the world.

Jerry Bruckheimer Films' Mike Stenson, Chad Oman and Patrick McCormick will exec produce.

Ubisoft released the first "Prince of Persia" game in 1989, which has spawned several sequels for various vidgame consoles. Its latest title hits store shelves later this year.

Sony wins Flash Gordon bidding war
Studio nabs rights for live-action film

By MICHAEL FLEMING

A spirited bidding battle for the `30s comic strip Flash Gordon has ended with Sony negotiating with Hearst for the rights to make a live action film. Breck Eisner ("Sahara") is attached to direct. Neal Moritz will produce through Original Films.

Deal being negotiated is high six figures against seven figures if the film gets made

In the original incarnation, Flash Gordon was a handsome polo player who is kidnapped and taken to the planet Mongo, where he is pitted against an evil ruler named Ming the Merciless.

Post "Iron Man," studios are showing a heightened appetite for franchise-able branded fare, and the intention is to hatch an edgy incarnation of the classic serial.

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Originally posted by PaddyFilm:
Jake Gyllenhaal is Disney's 'Prince'
Actor to star in 'Persia' videogame adaptation

By MARC GRASER

Jake Gyllenhaal is Disney's "Prince of Persia."

The Mouse has tapped the thesp to topline Jerry Bruckheimer's big-budget adaptation of Ubisoft's hit fantasy actioner that the producer and Disney hope to turn into another lucrative franchise similar to "Pirates of the Caribbean."

Gemma Arterton also has been cast to co-star alongside Gyllenhaal as Tamina in "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time." She next appears in the upcoming James Bond outing "Quantum of Solace" in November.

Production on "Persia" starts in July, with Mike Newell lensing from a script by Doug Miro and Carlo Bernard, Boaz Yakin and the game's creator Jordan Mechner. Studio will release next summer.

Gyllenhaal will play Dastan, a young prince in sixth century Persia who must join forces with Tamina, a feisty and exotic princess, to prevent a villainous nobleman from possessing the Sands of Time, a gift from the gods that can reverse time and allow its possessor to rule the world.

Jerry Bruckheimer Films' Mike Stenson, Chad Oman and Patrick McCormick will exec produce.

Ubisoft released the first "Prince of Persia" game in 1989, which has spawned several sequels for various vidgame consoles. Its latest title hits store shelves later this year.

Thanks reese. The Prince of Persia must be str8

Summit sets 'Highlander' remake
Film unit aims to restart franchise

By DAVE MCNARY

Summit Entertainment will produce a remake of fantasy thriller "Highlander" with the aim of kick-starting the franchise.

Summit's signed the "Iron Man" writing team of Art Marcum and Matt Holloway to script, with plans to expand on the original pic's premise of immortals battling each other for a mysterious prize. Company's aiming to go into production next year.

Patrick Wachsberger, Summit's co-chairman and president, said, "I have always dreamed of reinventing this franchise."

Summit production prexy Erik Feig told Daily Variety that the new pic will mix contemporary settings, action, mythology and medieval Scotland.

"We think the franchise will work on a global basis," he added.

Summit acquired the remake rights from Davis/Panzer Prods. It has tapped Peter Davis, one of the producers of the original film, to produce the new version.

The 1986 original was directed by Russell Mulcahy and starred Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, Clancy Brown and Roxanne Hart. It launched four sequels and three TV spinoffs.

In addition to "Iron Man," Marcum and Holloway also wrote "Convoy" for Par.

Summit has been ramping up operations for the past year from a sales operation into a full-fledged studio with development, financing, production and distribution. It's focused on projects budgeted in the middle range and plans to release 10-12 films annually. Recent pics include "Sex Drive" and Alexander Proyas' "Knowing," currently shooting with Nicolas Cage starring.