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Spite House: Oliver Stone ("Platoon") is writing and is attached to direct "Spite House," a Columbia Pictures project based on a non-fiction tome of the same name by Monika Jensen-Stevenson. Read more story details here. While the original script, titled "The Hunted" from Paul Attanasio ("Donnie Brasco") focused on a repentant colonel who was part of the elite group of commandos that fed false reports and was told to hunt down and kill Garwood behind enemy lines, Stone is understood to be focusing more on Garwood's personal trials both in Vietnam and at his court martial in the U.S. Shrek: MovieFreak.Com takes a look at DreamWorks' "Shrek" (some spoilers). Also, head over to CountingDown.com for a new clip, presented in multiple languages. Thanks to Stephen and Lincoln. Shrek - Film Review (Positive) The Dreamcatcher: Lawrence Kasdan has come aboard to direct and produce the feature adaptation of Stephen King's best-selling novel "The Dreamcatcher" for Castle Rock Entertainment. According to The Hollywood Reporter, there is no start date yet. "Dreamcatcher," which is being adapted by William Goldman, is a thriller about four childhood friends who share a special relationship after having performed a heroic act. Years later, they must reunite for another heroic act -- to save Earth from a mysterious force. The project is said to have elements of "The Green Mile" and "Stand by Me." Brighton Rock: Terrence Malick ("The Thin Red Line") is planning to produce a new adaptation of Graham Greene's novel "Brighton Rock." Malick has made clear that he will not direct the film. He is developing the adaptation with Australian producer Grant Hill, who also worked on "Line." Greene's novel, previously filmed in 1947 by John Boulting, is the story of Pinky (played in the original by Richard Attenborough), a small-time gang leader in the English seaside town of Brighton, who spins to self-destruction after murdering a rival. The project is tentatively scheduled for a summer 2002 shoot in the U.K. It has not yet been decided whether the new movie will keep the original 1930s setting or be updated to the present. More >>>
Jerry: Gus Van Sant ("Finding Forrester") is reteaming with Matt Damon to shoot a low-budget movie, provisionally titled "Jerry." The project stars Damon and Casey Affleck in a story described by one studio executive as "two guys in the desert." According to Variety, no script has been given out, but there will be a strong element of improvisation, recalling Van Sant's early style with pictures such as "Drugstore Cowboy."
Filthy: Scott Kalvert ("Deuces Wild") has signed on to direct "Filthy," a comedy set up at MGM. Variety reports that the project centers on a wealthy slacker who's trying to find himself after he finishes college and is coldly dumped by his girlfriend. His successful best friend sends him on a regimen that includes exercise and a pledge to stay clear of pornography. The script was written by Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg. Timeline: Gerard Butler ("Dracula 2000") will star in Paramount Pictures' "Timeline," based on the novel by Michael Crichton, which Richard Donner will direct. The project begins shooting in March. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Butler marks the first piece of casting for the film, which is a time-travel story about a group of young grad school scientists who need to go back to the 14th century to rescue their mentor, Professor Johnston, via a time machine. Butler will play the lead role of Andre Marek, a site manager on an archaeological dig in France who is recruited to go back and save the professor.
The Adventurer: Christophe Gans ("Brotherhood of the Wolf") is developing an ambitious $30 million English-language picture described as 'The Mummy' meets 'Indiana Jones.' "The Adventurer," based on Henri Vernes' bestselling series "The Adventures of Bob Morane," will shoot in London, Paris and Myanmar sometime next year. Gans and co-writer Stephane Cabel will have a first draft ready by the end of summer. Gans told Variety, "The film will be very phantasmagoric with lots of action, but taking place against the backdrop of a real episode in history -- the end of Britain's colonization of Burma (now Myanmar) -- which adds another layer of meaning." Final Fantasy: A look at the "Final Fantasy" script, written by Al Reinert, Hinrobu Sakaguchi, and Jeff Vintar. Minor spoilers. Thanks to Chris. Final Fantasy - Script Review (Positive) Who Goes There?: Jamie Bell ("Billy Elliot") will star in "Who Goes There?" a World War II drama expected to start production in the U.K. this fall. According to Variety, the picture is based on the true story of a German U-boat that landed its crew in a Welsh village. The film focuses on a boy (Bell) who befriends a German soldier only to find out his friend has duped him. Benjamin Ross ("The Young Poisoner's Handbook") will direct from a script by Jeff Rawle, who paired with Ross on "Handbook." The Watch / Damnation Game: New Line Cinema has picked up "The Watch," a pitch by John Claflin and Daniel Zelman ("The Tomb"), for mid-six figures. According to Variety, the supernatural horror story follows a team of soldiers on a mission to blow up a bridge to help end WWII. But the soldiers realize they're fighting not only the Germans but also an evil spirit sent by the Devil, who doesn't want the war to end. In related news, John Heffernan has signed on to adapt Clive Barker's novel "Damnation Game" for Phoenix Pictures in a deal worth mid-six figures if the film is produced. Read more about that here.
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