Oren Uziel to Write 'Men in Black 4,' '21 Jump Street' Sequel for Sony (Exclusive)

May, 03, 2013 11:04 am | Comments On #Movies

Sony Pictures has quietly started development on a new chapter in the "Men in Black" franchise, tapping Oren Uziel ("The Kitchen Sink") to write "Men in Black 4," TheWrap has learned.

Additionally, Uziel has been hired to rewrite the studio's upcoming sequel to last year's hit comedy "21 Jump Street," an individual familiar with both projects told TheWrap.

Sony is already developing Uziel's monster mash-up movie "The Kitchen Sink," which was voted to the 2010 Black List. The studio now is placing a big bet on Uziel, who will finish writing the "21 Jump Street" sequel before moving on to "MIB 4," details of which are being kept under wraps.

Also read: ...

Read More

Uma Thurman Signs With UTA After Leaving WME

May, 02, 2013 6:06 pm | Comments On #Movies

Oscar-nominated actress Uma Thurman has signed with UTA following an eight month stint at WME, TheWrap has learned.

Thurman, who starred in Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction" and the "Kill Bill" movies, is said to be looking to return to a full acting slate now that she recently gave birth to a daughter.

With unconfirmed reports of a third "Kill Bill" in the works, it's possible Thurman could pick up the sword to play Beatrix "The Bride" Kiddo again, though nothing has been set in stone.

The actress recently wrapped Lars von Trier's controversial film "Nymphomaniac," and her other feature credits include...

Read More

Mark Feuerstein, Kate McKinnon, Julie White Join Indie Comedy 'Life Partners' (Exclusive)

May, 02, 2013 3:56 pm | Comments On #Movies

Mark Feuerstein ("Royal Pains"), Kate McKinnon ("Saturday Night Live"), Greer Grammer ("Awkward") and Tony winner Julie White ("Transformers") have joined the cast of indie comedy "Life Partners," TheWrap has learned.

Susanna Fogel will make her directorial debut with the film, which she co-wrote with writing partner Joni Lefkowitz. The duo's script was workshopped within the Sundance Institute's 2012 Writers Lab, as well as its 2012 Creative Producing Lab. The project began life as a play that was part of the annual "Unscreened" series in 2011, as...

Read More

Steven Spielberg to Direct Bradley Cooper in 'American Sniper'

May, 02, 2013 12:53 pm | Comments On #Movies

Steven Spielberg has committed to making the Bradley Cooper vehicle "American Sniper" his next movie.

The project, which was written by Jason Hall ("Paranoia"), will be a co-production between Warner Bros. and Dreamworks.

Film is based on the bestselling book “American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History” by Chris Kyle, Scott McEwan and Jim DeFelice.

Also read: Bradley Cooper Fast-Tracks 'American Sniper' Film On Heels of Vet's Shooting...

Read More

Foresight to Shop Justin Timberlake's Neil Bogart Biopic 'Spinning Gold' at Cannes

May, 02, 2013 11:59 am | Comments On #Movies

 

Mark Damon's Foresight Unlimited will produce, finance and handle worldwide sales for "Spinning Gold," a biopic of 1970s record icon Neil Bogart, who is set to be played by Justin Timberlake.

Bogart's son, Timothy Scott Bogart wrote the script, which he developed with Timberlake.

Damon and Timberlake are producing with Laurence Mark, as well as Boardwalk Entertainment's Bogart and Gary A. Randall. Joyce Bogart-Trabulus is executive producing along with Foresight president Tamara Birkemoe and Envision Entertainment’s Remington Chase, Stepan Martirosyan and Vitaly Grigoriants.

Bogart is credited with discovering, launching and nurturing the careers of a generation of music superstars during the 60’s and 70’s including Curtis Mayfield, Bill Withers, Gladys Knight, KISS, Parliament, Donna Summer and The Village...

Read More

Reese Witherspoon Lines Up 'Depth of Field,' Enters Talks for 'Passengers'

May, 02, 2013 11:45 am | Comments On #Movies

In case you were wondering if Reese Witherspoon will still be able to find work in lieu of recent tabloid headlines, rest assured, she will.

Not only did the actress set up a new project titled "Depth of Field" at Fox 2000 on Wednesday, but now TheWrap has learned she's in talks to join Keanu Reeves in Wayfare Entertainment's sci-fi love story "Passengers."

Brian Kirk ("Game of Thrones") is directing "Passengers" from a script by Jon Spaihts ("Prometheus").

Story finds Reeves onboard a spaceship where he wakes up early from a cryogenic sleep chamber. Not wanting to be alone, he decides to wake up a female passenger, who may be played by Witherspoon.

"Depth of Field" is based on sportswriter Lynne Truss' bestselling memoir "Get Her Off the Pitch,...

Read More

Johnny Depp Hires E. Nicholas Mariani to Rewrite Disney's Paul Revere Movie (Exclusive)

May, 02, 2013 9:18 am | Comments On #Movies

Disney and Johnny Depp's Infinitum Nihil banner have tapped E. Nicholas Mariani ("Desperate Hours") to rewrite their untitled movie about Paul Revere's famed midnight ride, TheWrap has learned.

Depp and Christi Dembrowski are producing for Infinitum Nihil, whose Maragaret French-Isaac will exec produce. The original script was written by the "Batman Forever" team of Lee and Janet Batchler.

The project will follow Boston silversmith Paul Revere over the 24-hour period during which he made the famous "midnight ride" from Charlestown to Lexington, Massachusetts in order to warn the Colonial militia of the impending British invasion. The American revolutionary subsequently became an iconic figure in U.S. history.

Mariani, who has held a variety of production jobs, is best known for writing the 2011 Black List script "...

Read More

Will 'Chronicle' Star Michael B. Jordan Be Human Torch in 'Fantastic Four'? (Exclusive)

May, 02, 2013 5:04 am | Comments On #Movies

"Chronicle" star Michael B. Jordan is in contention to play The Human Torch in Josh Trank's "Fantastic Four" reboot due in 2015, which would give the African-American actor a rare role as a superhero in a big studio franchise, numerous individuals familiar with the project have told TheWrap.

The Human Torch, also known as Johnny Storm, was white in the Marvel comic, and the wise-cracking character was previously played by Chris Evans in the original 2005 version and its 2007 sequel.

Twentieth Century Fox declined to comment on the record, but numerous individuals close to the studio and the actor have told TheWrap that "Chronicle" director Trank is considering a reunion with Jordan, whose feature career has soared since his breakout turns on TV in "The Wire...

Read More

'Community' Star Alison Brie Joins Comedy 'Search Party' (Exclusive)

May, 01, 2013 4:47 pm | Comments On #Movies

"Community" and "Mad Men" star Alison Brie has joined the cast of Scot Armstrong's comedy "Search Party," which is being co-financed by Universal Pictures and Gold Circle Films.

Gold Circle is producing the film, which will be distributed by Universal.

TJ Miller, Adam Pally and Thomas Middleditch star alongside Shannon Woodward.

Story follows two roommates who go to dangerous lengths to save their friend who is stranded in Mexico without clothes.

Brie will play a co-worker and love interest of one of the three leads.

Paul Brooks will produce for Gold Circle, whose Scott Niemeyer is executive producing. Neal Moritz is also producing...

Read More

Kelsey Grammer to Play Human Villain in Michael Bay's 'Transformers 4'

May, 01, 2013 2:16 pm | Comments On #Movies

Director Michael Bay has tapped Emmy winner Kelsey Grammer to play the human antagonist in Paramount's "Transformers 4," TheWrap has learned.

Grammer joins a revamped cast that includes Mark Wahlberg and Stanley Tucci, as well as up-and-coming actors Jack Reynor ("What Richard Did") and Nicole Peltz ("Bates Motel").

Grammer, who recently won a Golden Globe for his turn as a scheming politician (is there any other kind?) on Starz's "Boss," will play a counter-intelligence operative who figures prominently in the plot.

The "Transformers" franchise could use a flesh-and-blood bad guy to root against, so let's hope Grammer is able to...

Read More