Actor beat out Cooper, Timberlake for coveted superhero role
By Borys Kit
And then there was one.
After an intense months-long search, Warner Bros. has settled on Ryan Reynolds as its choice to play “Green Lantern,” the studio’s live-action tentpole based on the DC Comics hero. The film is being directed by Martin Campbell and produced by Donald De Line and Greg Berlanti.
Reynolds and his camp entered negotiations for the part Friday, after the studio held two rounds of screen tests, along with actors Bradley Cooper and Jared Leto. Justin Timberlake also did a screen test. . The studio had holding options on the actors, but, except for Reynolds, those expired Monday. Reynolds’ option would have expired end of day Friday.
One reason for the long search was De Line, Campbell and the studio each had a different favorite among the finalists, making it difficult to come to a consensus.
If the deal is completed, it would make Reynolds the only actor to have played heroes for both Marvel and DC. He recently starred in a comic book movie, Fox's "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," where he played "the merc with a mouth" Deadpool. The character is now being developed for a spin-off to which Reynolds is attached. He also played Marvel’s vampire hunter Hannibal King in “Blade: Trinity.”
“Lantern” is actually Reynold’s second stab at a DC Comics hero. A few years ago, he was attached to play the comic company’s speedster “The Flash.”
Very glad for RR. While i like all three up for the part, i think RR is the best choice. He has the physique and the charm and the maturity to handle the part. Justin has all three factors too, but people may see too much Justin in the part which may detract from the character.
Posts: 873 | Location: Singapore | Registered: February 22, 2005
Jason Statham tracking 'Blitz' Actor in final talks to star in thriller
By ALI JAAFAR
LONDON -- Jason Statham is in final negotiations to star in "Blitz," a London-set thriller about a serial killer targeting police officers.
Lionsgate U.K. is fully financing the project, which is an adaptation of Ken Bruen's bestseller of the same name. Mandate Intl. will handle international sales.
"Blitz" will be Lionsgate U.K.'s first British project since it announced its plans to beef up its local production last year. It will also mark the first collaboration between Statham and Lionsgate U.K. since last year's "The Bank Job," which was a hit at the Blighty box office.
Statham will play a tough, uncompromising cop assigned the task of tracking down the killer. Paddy Considine will play his partner.
Nathan Parker wrote the script; Elliott Lester is directing.
Lionsgate U.K. topper Zygi Kamasa, Steve Chasman, Brad Wyman and Donald Kushner are producing.
Project begins lensing Aug. 10 in London.
"Jason and I are excited about the opportunity to be working here again as we are keen to continue supporting British films," Chasman said.
While its U.S.-based parent company has been the subject of boardroom unrest with speculation over the intentions of shareholder and corporate raider Carl Icahn, Lionsgate U.K. has been gradually ramping up its production activities.
Lionsgate U.K. projects in the hopper include the $15 million contemporary sci-fi thriller "83," which Noel Clarke will write, direct and star in; and laffer "Stiff," from "Borat" writer Dan Mazer and producer Andrea Calderwood about a 1980s rock star who falls into a coma on stage and wakes up 20 years later.
Veteran actor Holt McCallany has signed on to Silver Pictures' "The Losers," which Warner Bros. is distributing.
Sylvain White is directing the action pic, which is adapted from the well-known DC Comics/Vertigo property. The contemporary-set tale revolves around a group of Black Ops forces who, after being betrayed by their handler, regroup to seek revenge and conduct operations against the CIA.
McCallany ("Fight Club") will play Wade, a special-forces officer who has left the group. Zoe Saldana and Jason Patric already have been cast.
McCallany, repped by APA and Mosaic Media, also appears in the FX pilot "Lights Out, " the story of an aging boxer struggling to support his family, which is in the running for a series pickup.
Actor will play King Richard in the untitled project
By Gregg Kilday
Danny Huston is joining the cast of Universal and Imagine's untitled Robin Hood movie, which Ridley Scott is now directing in England.
Russell Crowe plays the legendary folk hero in the latest retelling of the Robin Hood myth being written by Ethan Reiff & Cyrus Voris and Brian Helgeland. Imagine's Brian Grazer is producing along with Scott and Crowe.
Huston will step into the shoes of the historical figure King Richard, who became known as Richard the Lionheart because of his exploits in the Third Crusade.
Huston appeared this summer on the big screen in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," playing Wolverine's nemesis William Stryker, and recently finished work on "Clash of the Titans," in which he plays Poseidon.
He is repped by ICM, Julian Belfrage Associates and Laina Cohn.
Natalie Portman set for 'Thor' Actress to play Jane Foster in Marvel pic
By MARC GRASER
Marvel Studios has found its love interest for "Thor," tapping Natalie Portman to star opposite Chris Hemsworth in the comicbook pic.
Portman will play an updated version of the Jane Foster character, a nurse who becomes Thor's first love.
In the pic, the actions of Thor, an arrogant Norse warrior, reignites an ancient war, and as a result, he's cast down to Earth, where he is forced to live among humans as punishment. Once there, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.
Paramount will distrib the pic, helmed by Kenneth Branagh, on May 20, 2011. Production starts early next year. Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige is producing.
Portman's involvement in the pic had been rumored for months and she had long been the main contender for the female lead.
Portman, who is currently shooting Universal's comedy "Your Highness," under the helm of David Gordon Green, and will also star in Darren Aronofsky's supernatural thriller "Black Swan," will next be seen in Jim Sheridan's "Brothers," opposite Jake Gyllenhaal and Tobey Maguire.
She recently wrapped production on "Hesher," produced by her Handsomecharlie Films banner, and Don Roos' "Love and Other Impossible Pursuits," which she also executive produced.
Denzel Washington exits 'Unstoppable' Actor formally withdraws from Fox film
By MICHAEL FLEMING
After waiting at the station for almost three months, Denzel Washington decided he won’t be catching the "Unstoppable" train.
Insiders close to the actor confirm that after waiting for 20th Century Fox to set a budget and a start date, Washington has formally withdrawn from the film and is looking at other projects for the fall.
Interestingly, once Washington and his reps came to that decision, passed on Fox’s offer and started entertaining other projects, Fox prepared to come back to the table with a different offer that the studio hoped would entice the two-time Oscar winner to re-consider his decision.
Welcome to a normal day in the tug-of-war between stars and studios in the current economic climate.
Washington had planned since April to re-team with Tony Scott, this time to play a veteran engineer who jumps into a locomotive with a young conductor ("Star Trek’s" Chris Pine) to halt an unmanned runaway train filled with a toxic chemical.
The project has been shaky for weeks (Daily Variety, June 29). While Washington and Scott will keep talking this week as the longtime collaborators promote "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3" in Europe, the actor’s reps at WME confirm he is available.
Fox has long been passionate about its runaway-train project, previously trying incarnations with directors Robert Schwentke and Martin Campbell. Though it had an enviable combination of director, star and up-and-coming co-star, the studio was choking on budget. Sources said that after cutting a $107 million tab down to $100 million, Fox wants it in the low $90 million range. The studio asked Scott to cut his salary from $9 million to $6 million, and wanted Washington to shave $4 million off his $20 million fee. Washington declined.
The picture also ran into poor timing: The Scott-Washington-John Travolta train tale "Pelham" has posted an unspectacular $60 million gross at a time when studios are looking to trim every dime. Every film that isn’t a branded summer tentpole is getting squeezed, and stars and their reps will have to battle to hold onto hard-won salary quotes. Some will take pay cuts or defer, and others, like Todd Phillips did on "The Hangover" and Jim Carrey on "Yes Man," will gamble their paydays to become revenue partners with studios. For now, Washington has simply said, no thanks, and seeing what else is out there.
Jackie Chan set for 'Karate' remake Actor to play opposite on Jaden Smith
By MICHAEL FLEMING
Jackie Chan will play the wise kung-fu master in a Hollywood-Chinese remake of the 1984 hit "The Karate Kid" that kicked off filming in the Chinese capital at the weekend, a movie company publicist said Monday.
Chan's young disciple in "Kung Fu Kid" will be played by Jaden Smith, the son of Hollywood superstars Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, China Film Group spokesman Weng Li told The Associated Press in a phone interview.
In "The Karate Kid," Pat Morita plays the iconic building handyman Mr. Miyagi who trains one of his young tenants, portrayed by Ralph Macchio, into an accomplished fighter.
The co-production between the state-run China Film Group and Columbia Pictures started shooting Saturday in Beijing, Weng said.
"Kung Fu Kid" is being directed by Harald Zwart, who also directed "One Night at McCool's" and "The Pink Panther 2," Solon So, the chief executive of Chan's company, JC Group, told the AP.
Chan and Smith, along with Smith's parents and sister Willow, attended a traditional Chinese ceremony to mark the start of the shoot Saturday. Photos on China Film Group's movie news Web site show the Smith family and Chan holding incense sticks.
Will Smith - one of the film's producers - Chan, Zwart and others symbolically removed a piece of red cloth covering a movie camera, after which Smith gave Chan a hug, according to video posted on Chinese news Web site Sina.com. His hair done in a huge Afro and wearing a bright red track jacket and blue pants, Jaden Smith stood and waved when he was introduced. His father ruffled his hair when he sat down.
Chan said on his Web site he also attended the younger Smith's 11th birthday party last Wednesday, where he and Will Smith posed for pictures with young performers wearing red and yellow costumes with dragon patterns.
Ken Stovitz, one of Will Smith's partners in the production company Overbrook Entertainment, said at the ceremony Saturday that "Kung Fu Kid" will be set in modern-day Beijing. China Film Group chairman Han Sanping said shooting will last three months.
Chan juggles careers in Hollywood and Chinese-language film. The veteran 55-year-old Hong Kong action star will be seen in the upcoming the Hollywood action comedy "The Spy Next Door," about an undercover Chinese spy whose cover is blown, and the Chinese production, "Big Soldier," about the friendship between two soldiers set in China's ancient Qin dynasty.
Jaden Smith costarred with his father in the 2006 movie "The Pursuit of Happyness" and appeared in the 2008 Keanu Reeves sci-fi movie "The Day the Earth Stood Still."
Third 'Bridget Jones' in works Cate Blanchett to star in 'Indian Summer'
By ALI JAAFAR
LONDON -- Working Title has confirmed that it is developing a third installment of the "Bridget Jones" series starring Renee Zellweger. The British producer has also attached Cate Blanchett to star in helmer Joe Wright's "Indian Summer."
News comes as the company's previously stellar track record for boffo films has hit a bumpy patch, causing the shingle to pinkslip six of its 45 staffers in recent days.
The untitled third "Bridget Jones" pic, which is still in its early stages and probably won't go into production until the end of next year, will see Zellweger reprise her role as a British publishing exec struggling to find love.
It will likely be based on the weekly columns author Helen Fielding wrote in 2005 for British newspaper the Independent in which Bridget, now in her 40s, attempts to have a baby before it's too late.
Working Title co-toppers Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan have yet to set a writer or director.
Meanwhile, Blanchett will star as Lady Edwina Mountbatten in "Indian Summer," based on the book of the same name by Alex von Tunzelmann, about the last days of Britain's colonial rule of India in 1947.
As previously announced, Fellner and Bevan will produce alongside Hilary Bevan Jones. William Nicholson ("Gladiator") is penning the screenplay. Lensing is set to begin next year.
As with all Working Title projects, Universal will handle worldwide distribution.
The staff cuts come as Working Title adjusts to the realities of the global economic downturn.
Helmer-scribe Richard Curtis' "The Boat That Rocked," which cost upward of $50 million, came in below expectations in the U.K., where it cumed $9.1 million, and elsewhere.
Focus Features is taking over domestic distribution from U and is working with Curtis to create a leaner version of the ensemble comedy for Stateside release. It was due to unspool Aug. 28, but that date has been pushed back to November.
Although Fellner and Bevan would not comment, it is understood that the cuts at Working Title won't affect its core production, development, finance and legal departments, and the company will still make its average of four features a year.
Working Title's inhouse development fund, believed to be the largest by some margin in the British film industry and funded by Universal, is also unaffected.
"Tim and Eric are absolutely fine," said one British producer. "They've got this incredible deal with Universal, which still has a few years to run. I find it laughable that some people in the industry here are trying to put them down. They are the British film industry."
Emily Blunt boards 'Bureau' Actress joins Matt Damon in sci fi thriller
By MICHAEL FLEMING
Emily Blunt has landed the female lead in "Adjustment Bureau," joining Matt Damon in the George Nolfi-directed science-fiction thriller adapted from Philip K. Dick’s short story.
Damon will play a smooth-talking congressman whose political future is thrown in doubt by uncontrollable events and the arrival in his life of a mysterious ballerina, played by Blunt.
Nolfi wrote the script and is producing with Chris Moore, Michael Hackett and Bill Carraro. Production begins in mid-September in Gotham. Universal acquired the film in an auction held by Media Rights Capital, the producer-financier behind "Bruno."
Blunt recently completed "The Wolfman" alongside Benicio Del Toro and Anthony Hopkins. She also stars in "The Young Victoria," "Wild Target" and "Gulliver’s Travels."
She’s repped by CAA and London-based Ken McReddie Associates.
Russell Brand set to 'Hop' 'Alvin' director readies for hybrid holiday tale
By MICHAEL FLEMING
Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment have firmed up a March 4, 2011, release date for "I Hop," a live-action/CGI family comedy. Russell Brand has been set to provide the voice of the Easter Bunny.
Tim Hill, who mixed live action and CGI characters on "Alvin and the Chipmunks," will direct.
Production begins this fall. Illumination chief Chris Meledandri will produce with John Cohen.
Tale revolves around an out-of-work slacker who runs over the Easter Bunny while driving home late. Since the bunny can't hop with a broken leg, the slacker is pressed into duty to save Easter. The film becomes a two-hander between the iconic holiday critter and the slacker, each of whom is running from adulthood.
Script was penned by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio, who wrote Illumination's first animated project, "Despicable Me," which is set for a July 9 bow next year, with Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Kristen Wiig and Julie Andrews. Brand also provided a key voice.
"Russell showed me that he's got a wonderful ability not only to be funny in his own body, but he can create humor vocally, which is the distinction we need for these movies," Meledandri said. "This gives us an opportunity to remythologize the holiday around an Easter Bunny character that is as dynamic and irreverent as Russell is."
Hugh Jackman to star in 'Avon' 20th Century Fox acquires comedy pitch
By MICHAEL FLEMING
In a high-six-figure deal, 20th Century Fox has acquired "Avon Man," a comedy pitch from "Hitch" writer Kevin Bisch, as a star vehicle for Hugh Jackman, with Bisch to script.
Jackman and Seed Prods. partner John Palermo will produce, along with Gary Foster at Krasnoff Foster Entertainment.
Story follows men laid off from an auto dealership. One is reluctantly recruited into becoming an Avon salesman, and while the experience is initially emasculating, he uses his charm and good looks to become a top seller. The comedy takes on a "Full Monty" vibe when the car salesman sets out to save his financially strapped family and town by conscripting his buddies into the makeup business to win a regional contest.
Miley Cyrus gets 'Wings' at Disney 'Hannah Montana' star to lead fairy tale
By MICHAEL FLEMING
Disney has acquired screen rights to the young adult novel "Wings" and will develop the bestselling Aprilynne Pike title as a star vehicle for Miley Cyrus.
Temple Hill partners Marty Bowen and Wick Godfrey will produce. Tish Cyrus will be executive producer. It's Temple Hill's first foray into supernatural fare since "Twilight."
Pic will be developed for Cyrus to play Laurel, a 15-year-old who grows up sheltered and home-schooled in a small town. Adjusting to a big high school is difficult, and her suspicion that she's not like the other kids becomes a reality when she sprouts a pair of wings and learns that she's a fairy. Published in May, the novel is the first of a planned four-book series.
The deal continues Disney's relationship with Cyrus beyond "Hannah Montana." She is currently shooting "The Last Song," a Julie Anne Robinson-directed adaptation of the novel that Nicholas Sparks wrote as a vehicle for Cyrus. Sparks wrote the script with Jeff Van Wie.
Stars hunt down Stanley Tucci film Brosnan, Clarkson, Moore set for 'Hunter'
By DAVE MCNARY
Pierce Brosnan, Patricia Clarkson and Julianne Moore will headline indie comedic drama "The Hunter," with Stanley Tucci directing from his screenplay.
"The Hunter" will be produced by Olive Prods. and Irish DreamTime, with pre-production scheduled to begin in September. Olive was co-founded by Tucci, Steve Buscemi and Wren Arthur, with Arthur overseeing production.
Irish DreamTime partners Brosnan and Beau St. Clair will also be producing along with Stan Erdreich from River Bend Pictures.
Buscemi's exec producing the project.
"The Hunter," set amid the aristocracy of New York's Upper Westchester County, is a coming-of-age story of a middle-aged man, played by Brosnan, who find himself desperately clinging to the vestiges of his once-charmed life and world.
Tucci's scripting credits include "Big Night," which he also co-directed and starred in, along with "The Imposters," "Joe Gould's Secret" and "Blind Date," in which he also co-stars with Clarkson. "Blind Date" will be released in September.
Brosnan's upcoming projects include "The Greatest," with Susan Sarandon; "The Ghost" for Roman Polanski; "Percy Jackson" for Chris Columbus; and "Remember Me" for Allen Coulter.
CAA packaged and will be selling the film’s North American distribution rights.
His last role was Baby Face Nelson in 'Public Enemies'
By Steven Zeitchik
Stephen Graham is taking a stroll down "London Boulevard."
The British actor, who plays gangster Baby Face Nelson in the John Dillinger drama "Public Enemies," will carry a gun for the other side in "London."
Graham will play the lead detective in the GK Films picture. William Monahan is making his directorial debut with "London," which revolves around a romance between a former con (Colin Farrell) and an actress (Keira Knightley).
Graham, repped by Inde¬pendent Talent Group and Kritzer Levine Wilkins, also is playing a gangster in another project: He portrays Al Capone in the Atlantic City casino pilot "Boardwalk Empire" for HBO.
Graham appears in the BBC miniseries "The Occupation" and next appears on the big screen in the Lionsgate period fantasy "Season of the Witch."
In a high-six-figure deal, 20th Century Fox has acquired "Avon Man," a comedy pitch from "Hitch" writer Kevin Bisch, as a star vehicle for Hugh Jackman, with Bisch to script.
Jackman and Seed Prods. partner John Palermo will produce, along with Gary Foster at Krasnoff Foster Entertainment.
Story follows men laid off from an auto dealership. One is reluctantly recruited into becoming an Avon salesman, and while the experience is initially emasculating, he uses his charm and good looks to become a top seller. The comedy takes on a "Full Monty" vibe when the car salesman sets out to save his financially strapped family and town by conscripting his buddies into the makeup business to win a regional contest.
WME brokered the deal, with Bisch managed by Category 5 Entertainment.
Dempsey shifts gears for Universal Actor to star in film, based on Stein novel 'Racing'
By MICHAEL FLEMING
Universal Pictures has acquired screen rights to "The Art of Racing in the Rain." Studio will develop the bestselling Garth Stein novel as a starring vehicle for Patrick Dempsey.
The book is driven by the reminiscences of Enzo, a family dog with a near-human soul and a philosopher's mind, who evaluates his life through the lessons learned by his human owner, the race-car driver Denny Swift.
Dempsey, who'll play Swift, is an accomplished pro race car driver and car owner who most recently drove Le Mans and finished ninth in the race. He also races in the American Rolex Series and owns Dempsey Racing, a team that has a deal with Mazda.
Neal Moritz will produce with Dempsey and Joanie Burstein. Starbucks Entertainment will be executive producer, its involvement coming after the book was chosen as a Starbucks spring/summer book selection when it was published in 2008.
Between seasons of playing the heartthrob surgeon McDreamy in "Grey's Anatomy," Dempsey most recently starred in the Moritz-produced "Made of Honor" for Sony and "Enchanted" for Disney. He'll next be seen in the ensemble New Line comedy "Valentine's Day."
Thesps leashed for new 'Straw Dogs' Bosworth, Skarsgard join Marsden in film
By MICHAEL FLEMING
Screen Gems has set Kate Bosworth and Alexander Skarsgard to star alongside James Marsden in "Straw Dogs," a reimagining of the 1971 Sam Peckinpah film.
Rod Lurie wrote the script and will direct. Shooting is scheduled to begin in August.
Marsden plays a Hollywood screenwriter who relocates with his wife to her hometown in Mississippi. Bosworth plays the wife, who left the South for LA. to become an actress and returns home so her husband can finish his script in quiet. Skarsgard plays her high school boyfriend, an ex-football hero who sees the return of his former girlfriend as a way to reclaim glory.
Bosworth, most recently seen in "21," next stars in "Warrior's Way." Skarsgard is playing the badass vampire Eric Northman in HBO's "True Blood." Before that, he starred in HBO's "Generation Kill."
Marc Frydman and Lurie are producing through their Battleplan Prods. banner. Gilbert Dumontet, who brought the project to Screen Gems, is executive producer.
