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This section is now updated every weekday. If you have a cool scoop you'd like to submit, you can either send it via e-mail, or with our submit form (if you prefer to remain anonymous). You'll get proper credit/link for your contributions.
Death to Smoochie: Danny DeVito is in negotiations to star in and direct Warner Bros.' comedy "Death to Smoochie," about the ruthlessness of children's programming, for producer Andrew Lazar. Written by Adam Resnick ("Lucky Numbers"), "Smoochie" centers on a man (DeVito) who plays Smoochie - a big, blue rhinoceros Barney-type character, who is targeted for assassination. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the project is being eyed for a fall start. From Hell: A review of Rafael Yglesias & Terry Hayes' "From Hell" script, dated January 26th, 2000. This project is currently filming in Prague under the direction of the Hughes Brothers. It stars Johnny Depp, Heather Graham and Robbie Coltrane. Minor spoilers. Thanks to 'Stax at IGN FilmForce.' From Hell - Script Review (Positive) Animal: Newcomer Luke Greenfield will make his feature directing debut with Revolution Studios' "Animal" starring Rob Schneider. The project is slated to begin shooting Oct. 1 in Los Angeles. Written by Schneider and Tom Brady, "Animal" is about a man who receives organ transplants from various animals and then finds himself adopting the animals' diverse traits. According to THR, Greenfield, 28, was hired to helm "Animal" after Revolution co-partner Todd Garner screened a copy of Greenfield's upcoming short film, "The Right Hook," and then showed it to the "Animal" crew, including Schneider, Brady and executive producer Jack Giarraputo. The group agreed that Greenfield was the right person to direct the film.
Changing Lanes: Samuel L. Jackson is in advanced negotiations to star in the psycho-drama "Changing Lanes." Directed by Roger Michell ("Notting Hill"), the film tells the story of a lawyer and a businessman whose chance involvement in a small traffic accident escalates to terrifying levels, culminating in an all-out mano-a-mano battle between them. According to Variety, Ben Affleck will play the well-heeled attorney; Jackson is to play a sort of Everyman businessman with whom he is locked in combat over the fender-bender. Ali: A review of Stephen J. Rivele and Christopher Wilkinson's "Ali" script, dated September 23rd, 1999. Eric Roth ("The Insider") is currently honing the draft. Michael Mann will direct this Muhammad Ali biopic, which begins production November 13th. Some spoilers. Thanks to 'Stax at IGN FilmForce.' Ali - Script Review (Positive) The Bijou: Jim Carrey has found his next role: Frank Darabont's Capra-esque "The Bijou" for Castle Rock Entertainment, Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. According to THR, the parties are trying to iron out the budget and Carrey's deal. Pending a green light on the romantic comedy with dramatic elements, Carrey would star as a blacklisted writer who loses his memory after a car accident and finds a new home in a small town, where he's mistaken for a soldier who died. "Bijou" was written by Michael Sloane and Darabont.
Simone: Jay Mohr ("Go") is signing on to join Al Pacino, Catherine Keener and Pruitt Taylor Vince in "Simone," a New Line Cinema film directed by Andrew Niccol. Variety reports that Mohr has been working up a storm lately. He's completed "Pluto Nash" with Eddie Murphy, "Pay It Forward" with Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt and Haley Joel Osment, and "Speaking of Sex" with Bill Murray. The Safety of Objects: Dermot Mulroney will co-star in "The Safety of Objects," an independent feature about the trials, tribulations and machinations among four suburban families. He joins Glenn Close, Patricia Clarkson and Timothy Olyphant in the Killer Films production to be directed by Rose Troche ("Go Fish"). Shooting is slated to start Sept. 23 in Toronto. According to Variety, the film is based on A.M. Holmes' collection of stories. Captain Blood: A look at the unproduced script "Captain Blood," written by Jonathan Hensleigh, Frank Darabont and Chuck Russell. Some spoilers. Thanks to Chris. Captain Blood - Script Review (Positive) Vanilla Sky: Cameron Diaz is negotiating to join Tom Cruise and Penelope Cruz in "Vanilla Sky," which writer/director Cameron Crowe will start shooting this fall. Although the plot is a closely guarded secret, the Paramount Pictures project is a love story produced by Cruise and his CW Prods. partner Paula Wagner. According to Variety, Diaz would play a supporting role. Queen of the Damned: Lena Olin and newcomer Marguerite Moreau are in negotiations to join the cast of Warner Bros./Village Roadshow Prods.' "Queen of the Damned" for director Michael Rymer. The project, which stars Stuart Townsend and actress-singer Aaliyah, follows vampire Lestat (Townsend) as he becomes a rock star whose music wakes up Akasha, the queen of all vampires (Aaliyah). In the process, a young woman who works as a vampire hunter (Moreau) falls in love with Lestat. Olin would play the role of Moreau's vixen aunt who tries to stop her niece from seeing Lestat's rock shows. The Bourne Identity: Franka Potente ("Run Lola Run") has been cast as the female lead opposite Matt Damon in Universal Pictures' "The Bourne Identity" for director Doug Liman. The Universal project concerns a man who washes ashore bullet-riddled and without his memory, racing to elude assassins and recover from his amnesia. Potente's character is kidnapped by Bourne but warms to him, even though he fears he may have been an assassin before. While on the run, they develop a love relationship reminiscent of the one in "Three Days of the Condor." Variety reports that shooting begins in Paris and Prague at the end of October. Stretch Armstrong: Jackie Chan is in negotiations with Disney to come aboard the action-comedy feature "Stretch Armstrong," based on the elastic CAP Toys Inc. superhero action figure of the same name. Paul Schiff and Doug Draizin will produce the long-in-development project, which has not yet been greenlit and has no director attached. Scribes Bill Collage and Adam Cooper have been tapped to tailor a script to Chan's strength as a comedic, martial artist. According to THR, the story line will revolve around Chan, who would star as an uptight Chinese spy and martial artist who stumbles upon a secret formula that gives him stretching powers. With his newfound abilities, the character, who was previously in control and used precise fighting moves, must adapt to use his new skills in fighting.
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