By Amanda Ack, Film Critic “Animal Kingdom” star James Frecheville has joined the cast of Fox Searchlight’s upcoming “Animal Rescue.” Other actors already cast in the film include Tom Hardy and Noomi Rapace. For more information on the project, click here.
Cohen Media Group to distribute ‘Breathe In’
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Cohen Media Group has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to Drake Doremus’ “Breathe In,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. The film stars Felicity Jones and Guy Pearce. For more information on the film, click here.
China streamlining censorship process
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic The Chinese government is set to merge the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television and the General Administration of Press and Publication. The merger will streamline the censorship process and could potentially make it easier for Hollywood films to be distributed in China. For more information, click here.
‘Batman’ mask donated to Smithsonian
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Warner Bros. has donated more than 30 props and artifacts to the Smithsonian Natural History Museum. Donations include George Clooney’s mask from “Batman and Robin” and Christopher Reeve’s suit from “Superman III.” For more information, click here.
Drafthouse Films acquires ‘Cheap Thrills’ in first deal of SXSW
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Austin-based Drafthouse Films has bought the distribution rights to E.L. Katz’ “Cheap Thrills.” This marks the first official deal of this year’s South By Southwest film festival. For more information, click here.
Marvel announces new online content
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Marvel Entertainment has announced a new wave of “digital initiatives” built around the company’s various film, animation, comics and web interests. The new video content will be anchored by “Marvel’s Earth’s Mightiest Show,” a weekly pop culture program. For more information, click here.
Jane Fonda in talks for ‘This Is Where I Leave You’
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Jane Fonda is in negotiations to star in Shawn Levy’s upcoming “This Is Where I Leave You.” Other actors already cast in the film include Jason Bateman and Tina Fey. For more information on the project, click here.
Ford, Fisher, Hamill on for new ‘Star Wars’ film
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic “Star Wars” original cast members Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill will be returning for “Star Wars Episode VIII.” How large their roles in the new film will be remains to be announced. For more information on the project, click here.
‘Clerks III’ in the works
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Kevin Smith has begun work on the screenplay for “Clerks III.” Further information on the project has not yet been released to the public. For more information on the film, click here.
Brett Ratner to receive GLAAD award
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Brett Ratner will receive the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Discrimination’s new Ally award at the organization’s upcoming ceremony, despite controversy over the director/producer’s use of an anti-gay slur last year. GLAAD is citing Ratner’s work on a new “Coming Out for Equality” PSA campaign as the main reason for…
Bateman, Day, and Sudeikis on for ‘Horrible Bosses’ sequel
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, and Jason Sudeikis have been cast in “Horrible Bosses 2.” The film will begin shooting this summer. For more information on the project, click here.
Danny Boyle plans ‘Trainspotting’ sequel with original cast
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic “Trainspotting” director Danny Boyle is planning a sequel to the film, entitled “Porno.” He is reportedly aiming for a 2016 release date. For more information on the project, click here.
Emma Watson in talks for Kenneth Branagh’s ‘Cinderella’
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Emma Watson is in early negotiations to play the title role in Kenneth Branagh’s upcoming live-action adaptation of “Cinderella.” Cate Blanchett is set to play the wicked stepmother. For more information on the project, click here.
Juliette Binoche in talks for ‘Godzilla’ film
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Juliette Binoche is in negotiations to join the cast of Gareth Edwards’ upcoming reimagining of “Godzilla.” Binoche’s potential role in the film has not yet been named. For more information on the project, click here.
‘Flatliners’ remake in the works
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” director Niels Arden Oplev is slated to helm the remake of Joel Schumacher’s “Flatliners.” Ben Ripley is set to write the screenplay. For more information on the project, click here.
‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’ author polishes ‘Fantastic Four’ script
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Seth Grahame-Smith, author of “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” and “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter,” has done rewrites on Josh Trank’s upcoming “Fantastic Four” reboot. Jeremy Slater wrote the initial script. For more information on the project, click here.
Coen brothers to rewrite Jolie’s ‘Unbroken’
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Joel and Ethan Coen have signed on to rewrite “Unbroken,” Angelina Jolie’s upcoming adaptation of Laura Hillebrand’s book about World War II hero Lou Zamperini. For more information on the project, click here.
Marion Cotillard to star in next Dardenne brothers film
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Marion Cotillard is set to star in Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne’s upcoming “Deux Jours, Un Nuit” (translated to “Two Days, One Night”). The Palme d’Or-winning filmmakers also penned the script for the project. For more information on the film, click here.
Gary Oldman signs on for ‘Planet of the Apes’ film
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Gary Oldman has been cast in Matt Reeves’ upcoming “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.” Oldman will play the leader of a human colony. For more information on the project, click here.
Spielberg to lead Cannes jury
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Steven Spielberg will serve as president of the jury at the 66th Cannes Film Festival. The festival will take place this May. For more information, click here.
Chris Cooper signs on for ‘Spider-Man’ sequel
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Chris Cooper has been cast in Marc Webb’s upcoming “The Amazing Spider-Man 2.” Cooper will play Norman Osborn, also known as the Green Goblin. For more information on the film, click here.
James McAvoy rumored for ‘The Crow’
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic James McAvoy is reportedly in talks to play the title role in Relativity Media’s upcoming remake of “The Crow.” The film is a new adaptation of James O’Barr’s 1989 comic. For more information on the project, click here.
Paul Bettany joins ‘Transcendence’
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Paul Bettany is in talks to join Johnny Depp in “Inception” cinematographer Wally Pfister’s upcoming “Transcendence.” The film marks Pfister’s directorial debut. For more information on the project, click here.
Joe Wright set to direct adaptation of new Neil Gaiman novel
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic “Anna Karenina” director Joe Wright is slated to direct Focus Features and Playtone’s adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s upcoming novel “The Ocean at the End of the Lane.” Gaiman’s book will be published in June. Fore more information on the project, click here.
‘Let Me In’ actor cast in new ‘Planet of the Apes’ movie
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Kodi Smit-McPhee has been cast in Matt Reeves’ upcoming “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.” The film is slated for a May 2014 release. For more information on the project, click here.
‘Downton Abbey’ director to helm ‘The Blunderer
By Amanda Ack, Film Critic Andy Goddard, director of the Season 3 finale of “Downton Abbey,” is slated to direct “The Blunderer,” an adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s 1954 novel of the same name. Sierra Pictures will finance the project. For more information on the film, click here.
