Deadline‘s Mike Fleming reports that even though Geoffrey Rush isn’t on the cast list, he’ll be contributing voice work for the character of Tomar-Re (pictured), the scientist who works alongside the title character in Green Lantern. Fleming also hears Michael Clarke Duncan is a contender for the voice of the character Kilowog, but a final decision hasn’t yet been made. I didn’t realize the film would have so many CGI characters, but this does little to restore my faith after that dismal first trailer.
According to THR, John Travolta has signed on to play mobster John Gotti Sr. in Gotti: Three Generations. The film will focus on the relationship between John Gotti Sr. and John Gotti Jr., who took over the family business for his father. The younger Gotti served time in prison before successfully escaping conviction in four subsequent racketeering trials. Nick Cassavetes (The Notebook, Alpha Dog) will direct.
With a May 20 release date on the horizon for the 4th installment in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, USA Today reports Jerry Bruckheimer already has a screenplay for a fifth film in the works. Bruckheimer also says On Stranger Tides and future Pirates flicks will be standalone stories. Is it just me, or is interest in the Pirates franchise waning? On Stranger Tides seems like it’s getting lost in the shuffle of all these summer releases. And after Prince of Persia and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, I don’t think the Bruckheimer name holds as much weight as it used to. I’m sure it’ll do well internationally, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Jerry.
Deadline reports Ridley Scott wants to direct a biopic about Gertrude Bell, a female Lawrence of Arabia of sorts who became an important figure in Middle East politics prior to WWI, working as an archaeologist, diplomat, photographer and spy. Scott has hired Oscar nominee Jeffrey Caine (The Constant Gardener) to write the script, and if this project continues to develop it will likely become the most coveted female role we’ve seen in a long time. Scott is also developing and plans to direct Gucci, which focuses on the volatile relationship between fashion mogul Maurizio Gucci and his ex-wife Patrizia Reggiani, who plotted his 1995 murder. Which would you rather see after Prometheus?
Craig Robinson (“The Office,” Hot Tub Time Machine) will executive produce and star as the Anti-Christ in the Lionsgate comedy Rapturepalooza. Deadline reports the story focuses on a couple trying to reestablish their sandwich cart business a year after a religious apocalypse cuts the world’s population in half. But business becomes the least of their problems for the sandwich sellers when the Anti-Christ (Robinson) claims the woman as his bride. Sounds original at least, but these movies tend not to do so well (see: Little Nicky, Bedazzled).
James Marsden (X-Men), Michael C. Hall (“Dexter”) and Melissa Leo (The Fighter) are attached to star in The Dead Circuis, a drama that builds a fictitious storyline around the mysterious death of “I Fought The Law” singer Bobby Fuller. Fuller’s song became a hit in 1966 when he was just 23, but he his battered body was found a week after with gasoline poured down his throat. Still, his death was ruled a suicide. James Marsden will play Charles Manson, while Melissa Leo will play a Manson Family matriarch who reveals to a grieving screenwriter that the secret behind Fuller’s murder might be found in 16mm snuff films buried in Death Valley. Hall will play Fuller’s corrupt, wheelchair-bound manager. First-time director Adam Davenport co-wrote the script with John Kaye, based on Kaye’s novel. Please, tell me I’m not the only one who thinks this sounds amazing.
Heat Vision reports Stuart Beattie, whose writing credits include Collateral and 30 Days of Night, will write and direct I, Frankenstein. The graphic novel adaptation takes place in a modern-day world where Frankenstein stands between humans and a host of other supernatural creatures looking to rise up and take over. The graphic novel was created by Kevin Grevioux, the man responsible for the Underworld series.
True Grit‘s Hailee Steinfeld is attached to Sleeping Beauty, the latest revisionist take on a fairy tale put into motion. It follows the likes of Alice in Wonderland, Red Riding Hood, Snow White and the Huntsman, The Brothers Grimm: Snow White, Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters and that Channing Tatum Peter Pan movie. A spec package has been sent out to buyers, though I’m sure I’m not the only one anxiously awaiting the end of this fad.
World War Z, the Brad Pitt/Marc Forster zombie movie that was once considered dead on the basis of its $125 million budget looks to be rising again. Deadline reports a number of financiers are looking to split the load and get the film into production as soon as June. Pitt is still attached to star and Forster (Quantum of Solace, Monster’s Ball) to direct. $125 million seems like a hell of a lot for a zombie movie, but we’ve never seen a zombie movie with a star on the level of Brad Pitt. Still, I think a PG-13 rating is inevitable with that type of a budget.
