1.) James Franco continues to keep us guessing with his diverse, and often times odd, slate. One such project is a film that would examine the lives of he and close friend Lindsay Lohan and feature lookalikes portraying the actors at the ages of 13, 21, 30, 45 and 60. He would direct and produce that bizarre project, as well as direct his ambitious adaptation of William Faulner‘s As I Lay Dying. Casting for the latter began this week, and it’s going to be interesting to see how he films the story, which features 15 narrators over its 59 chapters. It’s also said that Franco wants one of the major roles for himself, but it’s not clear which one it is yet. [Guardian, LA Times]
2.) Pierre Morel (Taken) is in negotiations to direct the actioner The Hitman’s Bodyguard. The film follows a protection agent who must escort a hired killer to testify against a war criminal at the Hague. [THR]
3.) Bradley Cooper has been busy looking for projects to work on after he films The Hangover Part III. One possibility is Clint Eastwood‘s long-gestating remake of A Star is Born. Everyone from Tom Cruise, Russell Crowe, Will Smith, Christian Bale and even Eminem has been considered for the role at one point in the film’s development. At last check, Beyonce was still attached for the female lead. Another possibility for Cooper is the crime thriller Bad Blood and Trouble, from The Disappearance of Alice Creed helmer J. Blakeson. [THR]
4.) Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman will produce the indie drama Parkland, the title of which is a reference to the Parkland Memorial Hospital, where President John F. Kennedy died. Two days later, his assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald would also die there, while Oswald’s killer, Jack Ruby, died at Parkland a few years later. The film will feature an ensemble cast as it explores the impact JFK’s assassination had on a wide range of people. Parkland marks the directorial debut of screenwriter Peter Landesman. [Variety]
5.) Yesterday saw the debut of the trailer for 10 Years, an ensemble comedy that features the likes of Channing Tatum, Oscar Isaac and Rosario Dawson. Brad saw the film last year at TIFF when it was called Ten Year, and it hits theaters on September 14.
