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THE SOCIAL NETWORK Producer Scott Rudin Options “The Terrorist Search Engine” as Possible Starring Vehicle for Jesse Eisenberg
by Matt Goldberg Posted: May 12th, 2011 at 7:34 am
When it comes to prestige pictures, producer Scott Rudin is a heavy-hitter. His credits include No Country for Old Men, The Royal Tenenbaums, and last year’s Best Picture nominees The Social Network and True Grit. Now he’s optioned an intriguing New York Magazine article, “The Terrorist Search Engine” about Evan Kohlmann, who was once dubbed by an FBI agent “The Doogie Howser of Terrorism”. Kohlmann, who is a government expert witness in terrorism cases due to his extensive study of jihad particularly in terms of how it relates to the Internet, has become a controversial figure because testifying has become his primary source of income.Vulture reports that Rudin has taken the project to Sony’s Columbia Pictures and that the film is being set up as a starring vehicle for Jesse Eisenberg. However, Eisenberg is waiting to see a script before making a commitment.Jack Black to Star in Michael Winterbottom’s BAILOUT
by Matt Goldberg Posted: May 12th, 2011 at 7:51 am
Jack Black has signed on to star in the Michael Winterbottom comedy Bailout. The film is based on Jess Walter’s novel, The Financial Lives of The Poets. THR reports that the script (which Walter also wrote) “details the story of one man’s attempt to come back from the brink of financial ruin after meeting a couple of losers in a late night supermarket.” Black will play the man on the brink of financial ruin although it’s amusing to think that a little over a decade ago, he probably would have played one of the two losers.Winterbottom, who swings wildly between light comedy (The Trip, Tristam Shandy) and intense drama (A Mighty Heart, The Killer Inside Me) said Walter’s script accomplishes the “rare feat of being funny and true at the same time.” Filming is set to begin in the US this August. Black is currently promoting Kung Fu Panda 2 and he’ll next be seen in non-animated-panda-form in Richard Linklater’s Bernie.Cannes Casting Call: Zoe Saldana Joins THE WORDS; Susan Sarandon and Jim Broadbent in Talks for CLOUD ATLAS
by Matt Goldberg Posted: May 12th, 2011 at 8:23 am
Yesterday, we reported some casting news for The Words and The Wachowski Siblings/Tom Tykwer’s adaptation of Cloud Atlas. Turns out those films weren’t quite finished in the casting department. Producer Cassian Elwes has tweeted [via The Playlist] that Zoe Saldana will star alongside Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Irons, and Dennis Quaid in The Words. The drama centers on a celebrated writer (Cooper) who must pay the price for stealing the work of another author (Irons). I imagine the price is somewhat higher than the lawyer’s fees for the litigation that would most likely occur in a less-interesting movie.In other casting news, ScreenDaily reports that Susan Sarandon and Jim Broadbent are in talks to join Tom Hanks, Hugo Weaving, Ben Whishaw, and Halle Berry in Cloud Atlas. The movie is based on David Mitchell’s acclaimed novel that spans the progress of a soul across six separate existences across several centuries. Shooting is planned to begin this September. Hit the jump for a synopsis of the novel.Tim Robbins Joins Mark Ruffalo in THANKS FOR SHARING
by Matt Goldberg Posted: May 12th, 2011 at 10:15 am
Tim Robbins will co-star with Mark Ruffalo in Thanks for Sharing, the directorial debut of The Kids Are All Right screenwriter Stuart Blumberg. Risky Business reports that Blumberg’s script “revolves around characters in a 12-step program for recovering sex addicts in New York City.” While Robbins earned an Oscar for his dramatic work, I’ve always found him to be delightful in comic roles even though Thanks for Sharing is being billed as a “dramedy”. Filming is slated to begin this fall.Robbins and Ruffalo will both next be seen in superhero films. Robbins plays Senator Hammond, father of villain Hector Hammond (Peter Sarsgaard) in Green Lantern. Ruffalo is currently filming on The Avengers where he plays Bruce Banner/Hulk.
Hugh Grant Turns Down "Two and a Half Men" Offer of $600,000 Per Episode
Posted: May 13th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff
CBS and Warner Bros are running out of time to replace Charlie Sheen on the "Two and a Half Men" reboot. The plan has been to get a top-tier actor, but they don't come cheap, which is why one of the options is to just scrap the show.
Recently, producer Chuck Lorre approached Hugh Grant with an offer of $600,000 per episode. Grant turned it down. THR has learned that Lorre now has his sights on a new unidentified actor.
The reason for the rush is because CBS and Warners will hold a presentation for advertisers on May 18th. If an actor is not on board, that would delay the launch of the show.
Source: THRhttp://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=21635&count=0
Jesse Eisenberg Re-Teams with "Social Network" Producer for "Terrorist Search Engine"
Posted: May 13th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff
"The Social Network" producer Scott Rudin just optioned "The Terrorist Search Engine," a recent New York Magazine profile of controversial counter-terrorism expert witness Evan Kohlmann.
The plan is to turn the article into a feature film and Rudin is already in talks with "Social Network" star Jesse Eisenberg to take the lead. Before committing to the project, Eisenberg first wants to see the script.
Written by Wesley Yang, "Engine" details how Kohlmann — dubbed "the Doogie Howser of Terrorism" by an FBI agent when he was just 23 years old — has helped convict 23 defendants in federal courts and Guantanamo Bay tribunals with his expert witness testimony. Now 31, Kohlmann is a controversial figure who has made testifying at such trials his principal source of income.
Source: NY Maghttp://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=21637&count=0
Robert De Niro and Katherine Heigl in "Gently Down the Stream" Comedy
Posted: May 12th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff
Robert De Niro, Diane Keaton, Katherine Heigl and Amanda Seyfried are set to star in the indie comedy "Gently Down the Stream." Justin Zackham (The Bucket List) will write and direct the film.
De Niro and Keaton play a long-divorced couple who, for the sake of their adopted son's wedding and his biological mother, pretend they are still married. They quickly learn that acting the part isn't easy, especially when their past, present and future unravel for all to see.
"I'm excited to be able to continue what we started with on 'The Bucket List,'" said Zackham. "Iconic actors in a funny, adult, character-driven story, albeit with a little more sex and bad behavior on everyone's part."
Production is scheduled to start this July in Greenwich, CT.
Source: Variety
http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=21634&count=0
First Look: Halle Berry's "Dark Tide" Shark Thriller
Posted: May 12th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff
Today we have the first photo of Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez (Unfaithful) in the upcoming "Dark Tide" shark thriller. Check out the photo and teaser poster below.
Plot: Sara (Berry) is a modern-day adventurer, drawn to close encounters with white sharks that rule the shores of the isolated Guadalupe Island. When her husband chooses ambition over his wife's safety in a split-second encounter with a shark, her marriage nearly breaks apart. A year later, a voyage back to the same island becomes an escalating series of terrifying underwater confrontations and gut-wrenching emotional challenges. She will test her courage in the face of nature's most feared underwater predator.
The new movie is directed by John Stockwell (Turistas, Into the Blue) and has yet to secure a US distributor.
"Horrible Bosses" Trailer is Here!
Posted: May 11th, 2011 by WorstPreviews.com Staff
Today we have the trailer for "Horrible Bosses" comedy, starring Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, Charlie Day, Kevin Spacey, Colin Farrell, Jennifer Aniston and Jamie Foxx. Check it out below.
Plot: For Nick (Bateman), Kurt (Sudeikis) and Dale (Day), the only thing that would make the daily grind more tolerable would be to grind their intolerable bosses (Spacey, Farrell, Aniston) into dust. Quitting is not an option, so, with the benefit of a few-too-many drinks and some dubious advice from a hustling ex-con (Foxx), the three friends devise a convoluted and seemingly foolproof plan to rid themselves of their respective employers... permanently. There's only one problem: even the best laid plans are only as foolproof as the brains behind them.
The new film is directed by Seth Gordon (Four Christmases, The King of Kong) and is set to hit theaters on July 8th.
http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=21625&count=0
