By Amanda Ack, Film Critic James Spader is teaming up with his “Lincoln” co-star Tommy Lee Jones for “The Homesman,” which Jones co-wrote and is directing. Other actors already cast in the film include Meryl Streep and John Lithgow. For more information on the project, click here.
Jon Stewart’s ‘Rosewater’ to be sold at Cannes
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Sierra/Affinity is taking “Rosewater,” Jon Stewart’s directorial debut, to the Cannes Film Festival for sale to international buyers. The film is an adaptation of Maziar Bahari’s book “Then They Came for Me: A Family’s Story of Love, Captivity and Survival.” For more information on the film, click here.
Wes Anderson’s new film gets potential release date
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Wes Anderson’s upcoming “The Grand Budapest Hotel” has been acquired for distribution by Fox Searchlight Films. The studio is reportedly considering releasing the film in late 2013. For more information and a summary of the film, click here.
Melissa McCarthy named CinemaCon’s Female Star of the Year
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Melissa McCarthy has been selected as CinemaCon’s Female Star of the Year. The award will be presented at the organization’s ceremony in April. For more information on the award and on McCarthy’s career, click here.
Martin Scorsese developing ‘Gangs of New York’ TV series
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Martin Scorsese is teaming up with Miramax and GK Films to turn his 2002 film “Gangs of New York” into a TV series. For more information on the project, click here.
Clint Eastwood in talks to direct ‘Jersey Boys’ adaptation
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Clint Eastwood is reportedly in negotiations to direct a film adaptation of the musical “Jersey Boys.” The film will be produced by Warner Bros. and GK Films. For more information on the project, click here.
Newly restored Scorcese film to close Tribeca Film Festival
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic The Tribeca Film Festival has selected Martin Scorsese’s 1983 film “The King of Comedy” to close its 2013 edition. The film will be shown in a newly restored digital incarnation. For more information, click here.
McQueen’s ‘Twelve Years a Slave’ gets release date
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Fox Searchlight has slated director Steve McQueen’s “Twelve Years a Slave” for a December 27 release. The film’s stars include Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Brad Pitt, and Chiwitel Ejiofor. For more information, click here.
China to get its own version of ‘Iron Man 3’
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Disney plans to produce two versions of Marvel Entertainment’s upcoming “Iron Man 3,” with one designed specifically for Chinese audiences. The film will include “significant Chinese elements,” Marvel said in a statement. For more information, click here.
Hathaway, Moretz, and Rockwell to star in ‘Laggies’
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Anne Hathaway, Chloe Moretz, and Sam Rockwell are in final negotiations to star in Lynn Shelton’s upcoming “Laggies.” Mark Webber is also in talks to join the cast. For more information on the project, click here.
FX plans ‘Fargo’ TV series
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic FX has given the green light to a TV show based on Joel and Ethan Coen’s 1996 film “Fargo.” The project would mark the network’s first limited series. For more information and to read about other upcoming FX series, click here.
Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo in talks for ‘Vacation’ reboot
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo are in negotiations to reprise their roles as Clark and Ellen Griswold in New Line’s upcoming “Vacation” franchise reboot. Other actors already cast in the film include Ed Helms and Christina Applegate. For more information on the project, click here.
Christopher Nolan offers lead role to Matthew McConaughey
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Director Christopher Nolan has reportedly offered the lead role in his upcoming film “Interstellar” to Matthew McConaughey. The project is a co-production between Paramount and Warner Bros. For more information on the film, click here.
‘Jurassic Park 4’ in the works
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic “Safety Not Guaranteed” director Colin Trevorrow is set to helm “Jurassic Park 4.” The film is slated for a June 2014 release. For more information on the project, click here.
Oscar Isaac to star in ‘Partisan’
By Amanda Ack “Drive” actor Oscar Isaac is set to star in director Ariel Kleiman’s upcoming “Partisan.” The film marks Kleiman’s full-length feature debut. For more information on the project, click here.
Chris Pine to be honored at CinemaCon
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Chris Pine has been named Male Star of the Year by CinemaCon. The award will be presented at the organization’s convention in April. For more information, click here.
British film distributors cut ad spending
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic According to figures released by the U.K. Film Distributors Association, British film distributors managed to cut advertising spending by six percent in 2012. Internet ad spending was cut by 53 percent. For more information, click here.
Disney keeps DreamWorks films at Showtime
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Disney has renewed its output deal with Showtime for the titles the network distributes for DreamWorks. Showtime plans to air up to 35 DreamWorks films through 2015. For more information on the deal, click here.
‘Legends of Oz’ set for 2014 release
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Summertime Entertainment has inked a distribution deal with Clarius Entertainment for “Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s return.” The 3D animated film is voiced by Lea Michele, Jim Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Kelsey Grammer, and Bernadette Peters. For more information on the project, click here.
‘Private Practice’ star signs on for ‘Rays of Light’
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic “Private Practice” star Tim Daly is set to star with Kyra Sedgwick in Batan Silva’s upcoming “Rays of Light.” The film marks Silva’s directorial debut. For more information on the project, click here.
Magnolia acquires distribution rights to ‘Touchy Feely’
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Magnolia Pictures has acquired the distribution rights to Lynn Shelton’s “Touchy Feely.” The film stars Ellen Page and Rosemarie DeWitt. For more information on the film, click here.
Billy Bob Thornton to star in ‘The Judge’
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Billy Bob Thornton has signed on to star in David Dobkin’s upcoming “The Judge.” Actors already cast in the film include Robert Duvall and Robert Downey Jr. For more information on the project, click here.
Legendary Entertainment’s COO steps down
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Tim Connors has resigned from his position chief operating officer of Legendary Entertainment, a year after leaving Marvel to take the job. Reasons for Connors’ departure have not yet been disclosed. For more information on Connors’ career, click here.
New Wachowski film gets release date
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Warner Bros. has scheduled Andy and Lana Wachowski’s “Jupiter Ascending” for a July 2014 release. The film stars Channing Tatum, Mila Kunis, Eddie Redmayne, Douglas Booth and Sean Bean, with the Wachowskis producing, writing, and directing. For more information on the project, click here.
Fan Bingbing on for new ‘X-Men’
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic International star Fan Bingbing has been cast in Bryan Singer’s upcoming “X-Men: Days of Future Past.” Bingbing’s role in the film has not yet been specified. For more information on the project, click here.
‘Golden Boy’ actor cast in Summit’s ‘Divergent’
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Theo James is set to star opposite Shailene Woodley in Summit Entertainment’s upcoming “Divergent.” Aaron Eckhart and Kate Winslet are in talks for supporting roles. For more information on the project, click here.
