Scarlett Johansson is in talks to join the Coen brothers’ drama Hail Caesar! as an actress who suddenly becomes pregnant as her film is about to go into production. The story follows a Hollywood fixer in the 1950s who is working to keep a studio’s stars in line. Josh Brolin and George Clooney are leading the project with Channing Tatum, Tilda Swinton and Ralph Fiennes also starring. Jonah Hill is also reported to be in talks for a role. [Variety]
Robert Redford is attached to play CBS News icon Dan Rather and Cate Blanchett is attached to play his producer Mary Mapes in Truth for screenwriter James Vanderbilt (Zodiac), making his feature directorial debut. The film will explore the scandal that erupted after Rather reported on 60 Minutes II that George W. Bush had gotten preferential treatment that put him in the National Guard to avoid the Vietnam War draft. The ensuing scandal during Bush’s reelection campaign left Mapes fired and Rather’s storied reputation in tatters. [Deadline]
William Friedkin tells The Playlist he’s “considering” directing the second season of HBO’s “True Detective” telling the site, “I like this writer [Nic Pizzolatto] very much. I’ve met him, and he’s the real deal as far as I’m concerned. Now, all the new seasons are different so I’m not committed–this new season has nothing to do with the last one. Except for him and his sensibility, which I think is extraordinary.
“I’m a fan of [Pizzolatto’s] writing,” he added, “even though this will not be a continuation of what was done before with [Matthew] McConaughey and Woody Harrelson. So what you can say is I’m a huge fan of his writing, I’ve met with him, I like him, I like the direction he’s taking with this.” [The Playlist]
[amz asin=”B000FA5TZG” size=”small”]Dwayne Johnson is in early talks to star in an adaptation of Robert Ludlum’s “The Janson Directive” for Universal. The book follows a former consular ops agent who, after leaving covert operations due to the high number of sanctioned serial killings, goes into business as private security consultant. Teamed with a sharpshooter, Janson only takes assignments that he believes will lead to helping those in need. [Variety]
