Brody, Whitaker, Wood to 'Experiment' Scheuring to direct remake of German thriller
By DAVE MCNARY
Adrien Brody, Forest Whitaker, Elijah Wood and Cam Gigandet will star in "The Experiment," a remake of the German psychological thriller "Das Experiment" for Inferno Entertainment and Magnet Media Group.
Marty Adelstein, Inferno's Bill Johnson and Magnet Media's Jeanette Buerling and Maggie Monteith will produce. Magnet and Inferno are co-financing and Inferno's handling international sales.
"Prison Break" creator Paul Scheuring is directing from his screenplay. Filming begins in Iowa next month.
"Das Experiment," directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel, centered on a group of ordinary men recruited to take on the roles of guards and prisoners as part of a research study and examined how the effects of assigned roles, power and control affected the participants. Brody will portray the de facto leader of the prisoners while Whitaker will play a guard who's corrupted by the power he's given.
Inferno's Jim Seibel and Tracee Stanley and Magnet's John Michaels are exec producing along with Scott Nemes and Dawn Parouse.
Brody's recent credits include "Cadillac Records" and "The Brothers Bloom."
Whitaker stars in the upcoming "Where the Wild Things Are," "Repossession Mambo" and "My Own Love Song." He's also set to star in, direct and co-write the Louis Armstrong biopic "What a Wonderful World."
Inferno produced and financed "The Women" and "Hachiko: A Dog's Story," which is set for an October release. It's also prepping actioner "The Killer Elite."
Magnet launched its equity film finance fund a year ago and entered into a co-financing and co-production deal with Inferno to co-fund $250 million for thriller, action and comedy films in the $10 million-$60 million budget range. It recently financed "13," sold by Paramount Vantage; it also recently executed a first option to finance the musical "Cleo."
Julianne Hough to star in 'Footloose' 'Stars' pro dancer set for Paramount remake
By DAVE MCNARY
"Dancing With the Stars" pro dancer and country singer Julianne Hough will star opposite Chace Crawford on Paramount's upcoming remake of "Footloose," contingent on working out scheduling.
It's Hough's first major film role. Crawford signed on a month ago to star after Zac Efron decided in March against toplining another tuner after "High School Musical 3" and "Hairspray."
Lensing is set to begin in March with plans for a more mature version of "Footloose" than the original. Dylan Sellers is producing alongside Ortega, Craig Zadan -- a producer of the original "Footloose" -- and Neil Meron.
The 1984 original spawned one of the biggest-selling soundtracks of its era and made a star of Kevin Bacon.
Voices uncaged for 'The Zookeeper' Stars set to go wild in MGM's live-action comedy
By DAVE MCNARY
Adam Sandler, Cher, Jon Favreau, Sylvester Stallone and Judd Apatow will provide voices for the animals in MGM's live-action comedy "The Zookeeper," starring Kevin James and Rosario Dawson.
Sandler, whose Happy Madison shingle is also a producer on the pic, will voice a capuchin monkey. Cher's voicing a giraffe, Favreau a bear, Stallone a lion and Apatow an elephant.
Jim Breuer, Faizon Love and Bas Rutten round out the voice cast.
James is also producing with Todd Garner ("The Sorcerer's Apprentice") and Happy Madison. Jeff Sussman and Jennifer Eatz exec produce.
Pic centers on zoo animals trying to teach the keeper their methods of dating and mating to help him win back the woman of his dreams. Frank Coraci is directing from a screenplay by Jay Scherick and David Ronn, James, Rock Reuben and Nick Bakay.
Shooting's set to start in late summer for an Oct. 8, 2010, release. MGM won a bidding war last year for the "Zookeeper" spec, paying $2 million against $3 million, while the studio was ramping up a slate of homegrown projects.
Happy Madison's shooting "Grown Ups" with Sandler, James and Chris Rock for Columbia.
Cher joining Aguilera in 'Burlesque' Musical will be first movie star role in a decade
By MICHAEL FLEMING
In what will be her first movie star role in a decade, Cher is set to join Christina Aguilera in "Burlesque," a contemporary musical for Screen Gems.
Steven Antin will direct from a script he wrote that was revised by Susannah Grant (Daily Variety, May 4).
Aguilera will play an ambitious small-town Iowa girl with a big voice who comes of age in a neo-burlesque club on Sunset Boulevard that's run by Tess (Cher), a former dancer who struggles to keep the club open and gives the young girl a chance to shine.
Cher will sing onscreen. While her voice has been heard in many films, "Burlesque" will mark the first time she'll be seen singing in a film she stars in. Cher last starred in "Tea With Mussolini" in 1999.
Donald De Line will produce. Production begins in November.
Screen Gems president Clint Culpepper said he has been lobbying Cher to make her screen return, and once she said yes, it was a matter of creating room in her busy schedule of touring and performing in Las Vegas.
"She brings a soulfulness and gravitas to this character that will ground the story," Culpepper said. "The only person who was more excited than I am is Christina."
Fincher circles Facebook movie Director in talks for Columbia's pic about website
By MICHAEL FLEMING
Columbia Pictures is in advanced talks with David Fincher to direct "The Social Network," the Aaron Sorkin-scripted film for Columbia Pictures about the formation of Facebook.
The film will focus on the evolution of Facebook from its 2004 creation on the Harvard campus by sophomore Mark Zuckerberg to a juggernaut with more than 200 million members.
Scott Rudin and Michael De Luca are producing with Trigger Street's Kevin Spacey and Dana Brunetti.
The aim is to begin production later this year.
Fincher last directed "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."
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Zac Efron to star in Mandate thriller 'HSM' thesp will also exec produce untitled pic
By DAVE MCNARY
Zac Efron has signed on to star in an untitled thriller for Mandate Pictures, with Greg Shapiro of Kingsgate Films, Jason Barrett and Leslie Dixon producing.
Dixon's penning the script; the logline's staying under wraps. Project reteams the scribe with Efron two years after she wrote and he starred in "Hairspray."
Efron and Mandate's Nathan Kahane will exec produce. The thesp has worked previously with Barrett, who exec produced "17 Again."
Efron ankled Paramount's remake of "Footloose" in March and is set to reteam with "17 Again" director Burr Steers on an adaptation of novel "The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud" at Universal.
Shapiro's credits include "The Hurt Locker" and the "Harold and Kumar" franchise.
Katherine Heigl finds 'Life' at WB '27 Dresses' actress to star in romance drama
By DAVE MCNARY
Katherine Heigl will star in romancer "Life as We Know It" for Warner Bros., with Greg Berlanti directing and Barry Josephson and Paul Brooks producing.
Project dates back to 2001, when Revolution bought the spec from scribes Ian Deitchman and Kristin Rusk Robinson. Story follows two unattached adults whose worlds are turned upside down when their mutual best friends die in an accident and name them as caregivers for their orphaned daughter.
"Life as We Know It" was also at Fox before landing at Warner Bros.
Heigl will next be seen in Sony's battle-of-the-sexes romantic comedy "The Ugly Truth." She's currently shooting "Five Killers" for Lionsgate.
Heigl and her mother Nancy Heigl are exec producing "Life as We Know It."
Josephson produced the upcoming "Aliens in the Attic" for Fox. Gold Circle prexy Brooks was a producer on "The Haunting in Connecticut."
Berlanti's best known as a writer and exec producer on TV series "Dirty Sexy Money," "Brothers and Sisters" and "Dawson's Creek." He wrote the "Green Lantern" script with Marc Guggenheim and Michael Green and will produce with Donald De Line.
Berlanti had once been considered to direct "Green Lantern," but WB attached him to direct "This Is Where I Leave You," with Jonathan Tropper adapting his own novel (Daily Variety, Feb. 2).
Deitchman and Robinson's projects include "The Kids" at Fox with Josephson producing, "Grownups" at Sony and "First Kiss" at WB.
Latest Bond eyes psychological thriller at Morgan Creek
By Steven Zeitchik
Daniel Craig can shake, but can he stir?
The latest James Bond has proved a critical and commercial success in his two turns in the iconic role, for "Casino Royale" and "Quantum of Solace." But he has been deliberate in choosing his next live-action role.
Now comes word he is in early talks to star in "Dream House," a psychological thriller set up at Morgan Creek to be directed by Jim Sheridan, though principals stress that the two sides have not reached a deal.
In the David Loucka script, Craig would play a man who moves his family to an idyllic small town, only to find his house haunted by its former inhabitants, who were murdered there.
With a pedigreed director like Sheridan, the movie would accomplish the goal of branching Craig out into a more prestige direction post-"Quantum" while keeping him in the realm of the commercial.
Like other Bond actors, Craig has faced a crossroads coming off Bond hits. His two other roles, "Munich" and "Defiance," saw him essentially take on a more art house version of the Bond character of hit man and vigilante.
Craig already has shown interest in more boutique fare, recently signing for the Broadway drama "A Steady Rain." His name also surfaced in connection with "The Eagle of the Ninth," Kevin Macdonald's period pic for Focus Features.
Craig Robinson, Heather Graham, Johnny Knoxville and Camilla Belle will star opposite Kevin Spacey in "Father of Invention," an ensemble comedy that Spacey is independently producing via his Trigger Street banner.
The story follows a humble inventor-turned-egomaniacal billionaire (Spacey) who spends eight years in prison when one of his inventions goes awry. Upon release, he is seeks to rebuild his reputation and fortune but finds that easier than salvaging his relationship with his family.
Robinson will play the husband of the former billionaire's ex-wife who now lives in his house and drives his car and helps Spacey get back on his feet after he gets out of prison.
Belle will play his daughter, a social worker hesitant to trust her father, while Graham is her lesbian roommate who sleeps with the father. Knoxville will play a store manager who hires Spacey's character after his prison stint.
Dana Brunetti, Jonathan Krane and Ken Barbet are producing alongside Spacey. Trent Cooper is direct from a script he wrote with Krane and Nichole Beatty. Scott Lumpkin exec produces.
Production begins this week in New Orleans.
UTA-repped Robinson, one of the regulars on "The Office," is about to begin filming "Hot Tub Time Machine" the MGM comedy he stars in alongside John Cusack and Rob Corddry. His recent film appearances include "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" and "Pineapple Express" and a key role in "Zack and Miri Make a Porno."
Graham, repped by UTA an Affirmative Entertainment Prods., is coming off the hit "The Hangover" and finished shooting "Son of Mourning."
Knoxville, repped by CAA, last appeared in Weinstein Co.'s "Killshot."
WME-repped Belle will be seen next opposite Vincent Cassel in the Brazilian feature "A Deriva" ("Adrift") and starred recently in "Push." She is slated to play the title role in "Mary, Mother of Christ" for director Alejandro Agresti.
Ryan Reynolds to star in 'Buried' Actor will follow up 'Proposal' with indie film
By MICHAEL FLEMING
After starring with Sandra Bullock in romantic comedy "The Proposal," Ryan Reynolds has lined up a much grittier proposition for his next film.
Reynolds will star in "Buried," playing a civilian contractor who's kidnapped in Iraq and awakens buried in a coffin in the desert, armed only with a cell phone, a candle and a knife.
Rodrigo Cortes will direct a script by Chris Sparling; production will begin this month in Barcelona.
Peter Safran will produce through his Safran Co. banner with Adrian Guerra of Spain-based Versus Entertainment, which is financing the film. The picture will shoot entirely in Spain, which is home to Cortes, best known for directing "The Contestant."
Reynolds takes the job after the showy role of Deadpool in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" and "The Proposal."
He decided to go the indie route as a way to stretch his acting chops in a movie with a claustrophobic premise, and one in which he holds the screen through most of the picture.
Reynolds, the writer and director are repped by UTA.
Johnny Depp, Tim Burton on board for 'Dark Shadows'
At the LA premiere of Public Enemies, Johnny Depp confirmed that he'll star in an upcoming big screen version of the cult 1960's show Dark Shadows, directed by Tim Burton. Rumors of the project have circulated ever since Depp, an admitted fan of the gothic soap opera, acquired the rights to the series in 2007. Producer Richard D. Zanuck confirmed Depp and Burton's involvement last December, but this marks the first time that Depp has publicly said that Burton will direct. "Dark Shadows with Tim will also be down the line," Depp told EW June 23 in LA. "Tim has to finish [Alice in] Wonderland before he can start work on the next film. I love what he did with that. I think people are going to be so excited and satisfied when they see that film. Some of his best work. And I will be thrilled to work with him again on Dark Shadows. I was a big fan of it when I was a kid and I think it is another of those perfect projects for Tim to reimagine."
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Janet Jackson gets 'Married' again Actress-singer set for Tyler Perry comedy sequel
By DAVE MCNARY
Janet Jackson will reprise her role in Tyler Perry's comedy sequel "Why Did I Get Married Too."
The thesp will again portray a successful author and psychologist who prefers to analyze other's relationship problems rather than deal with her own marriage.
Jackson's the first announced casting for the project other than Perry. Lionsgate announced in March that it had acquired rights to "Why Did I Get Married Too" and "I Can Do Bad All by Myself" with Perry writing, directing and starring in both projects.
"Bad," which features Perry's Madea character, is set for release Sept. 11.
"Why Did I Get Married Too" has been set for release on April 2, the start of next year's Easter weekend. The first pic, based on Perry's stage play, grossed $55 million domestically.
Topher Grace, Emma Roberts, Hector Elizondo in comedy
By Borys Kit
Topher Grace, Emma Roberts and Hector Elizondo have joined the cast of New Line's romantic comedy "Valentine's Day," being directed by Garry Marshall.
The trio joins Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Jennifer Garner, Shirley MacLaine, Bradley Cooper and Ashton Kutcher in the movie, which has five slightly interconnecting stories playing out on Valentine's Day in Los Angeles.
Grace plays a mailroom worker in the town's biggest agency who's dating Hathaway. Roberts -- working for the first time on the same movie as her aunt Julia -- plays a teen who wants to lose her virginity to her boyfriend. Elizondo plays MacLaine's husband.
Mike Karz is producing with Wayne Rice.
Sam Brown and Michael Disco are overseeing for the studio. Katherine Fugate wrote the initial draft, and Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein penned the latest.
Grace, whose last major film role was as Venom in "Spider-Man 3," next stars opposite Anna Faris in "Young Americans." He is repped by WME and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.
Emma Roberts, repped by Sweeney Management, last appeared in "The Winning Season" and "Hotel for Dogs" and just wrapped Joel Schumacher's "Twelve" with Chace Crawford and Kiefer Sutherland.
Gersh-repped Elizondo recently appeared on ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" and USA's "Monk." He's been in every Marshall-directed movie, and this will be his third pairing with Julia Roberts, after 1990's "Pretty Women" and 1999's "Runaway Bride."
Amy Adams circles 'Fighter' Actress in talks to star alongside Bale, Wahlberg
By DAVE MCNARY
Amy Adams is in negotiations to star alongside Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg in Relativity Media's "The Fighter."
Paramount Pictures will distribute the David O. Russell-helmed drama domestically. Adams would play a gritty bartender from Massachusetts who ends up dating Wahlberg's character, "Irish" Mickey Ward.
Pic, which is scheduled to start lensing this summer, tells the story of Ward's early days on the rough streets of Lowell, Mass., and how he was helped to the world lightweight championship by his half-brother, portrayed by Bale. Melissa Leo's also been cast.
Todd Lieberman, David Hoberman, Ryan Kavanaugh, Wahlberg, Paul Tamasy and Dorothy Aufiero are producing. Tucker Tooley will exec produce.
Adams will next be seen in Sony's "Julie and Julia" alongside Meryl Streep. She recently wrapped romantic comedy "Leap Year" for Spyglass and Benderspink.
WB adds pair for 'Dicks' Lee, Trachtenberg join Willis, Morgan in film
By DAVE MCNARY
Jason Lee and Michelle Trachtenberg have joined the cast of Warner Bros. cop comedy "A Couple of Dicks," starring Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan. Kevin Smith is directing.
Marc Platt's producing the project with Polly Johnsen and Michael Tadross. The scripting team of Robb and Marc Cullen penned the screenplay, centered on a pair of cops who track down a stolen baseball card, rescue a Mexican beauty and must deal with gangsters and laundered drug money.
Trachtenberg will play the daughter of Willis' character, and Lee will portray her stepfather.
Warner picked up the project in turnaround last year from Gold Circle, where it had been in development with Robin Williams and James Gandolfini in the lead roles. Seann William Scott and Adam Brody are also starring.
Lee toplines "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel." Trachtenberg was last seen in "17 Again."
Guy Pearce, Bailee Madison set for Miramax thriller
By Borys Kit
Guy Pearce is in final negotiations and Bailee Madison is set to star with Katie Holmes in "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark," Miramax's supernatural thriller being directed by Guillermo del Toro protege Troy Nixey. Del Toro is producing with Mark Johnson.
"Dark" is based on a 1973 ABC telefilm about a young girl who moves in with her father and his girlfriend and discovers they are sharing the house with demonic creatures.
Madison will play the girl, who discovers the creatures and is fascinated by them -- until they prove dangerous. Pearce will play the father, an author frustrated by his daughter's tales of monsters, not believing her even when his girlfriend (Holmes) backs her.
Del Toro and Matthew Robbins wrote the script.
The movie is set to begin production next month in Melbourne, Australia. (Del Toro is in New Zealand working on "The Hobbit.")
Madison ("Bridge to Terabithia") is beginning to make waves in the child-acting community. She next appears in Jim Sheridan's "Brothers" alongside Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal and Natalie Portman. In the can and due for release next year are "An Invisible Sign of My Own," with Jessica Alba, and "Betty Anne Waters," with Hilary Swank. She is repped by Coast to Coast Talent, James/Levy Management and Lev Ginsburg.
Pearce, repped by CAA, Australia's Shanahan Management and David Weber, has a cameo in Kathryn Bigelow's "The Hurt Locker" and next appears in "The Road," Dimension's adaptation of a Cormac McCarthy novel.
