In today's Callbacks -- your daily roundup of casting news from Deal Central -- WB and producer Jon Shestack 'beat the devil,' Disney meets its "Prom" dates, Universal asks Ben Schwartz "Would You Rather," the "Conan" writers schedule an appointment with "Dr. Strange," Luke Grimes 'waits' for Chloe Sevigny and Jena Malone, "Legally Blonde" co-writer Kirsten Smith thinks "Camp Rules" and "Primer" director Shane Carruth launches a website for his new movie "A Topiary."
Previously on Deal Central: Bruce Willis eyes a reunion with "Unbreakable" filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan and Patton Oswalt celebrates Christmas with "Harold & Kumar."
• Warner Bros. has rescued Carter the Great from the depths of development hell.
The studio is developing a big-screen adaptation of Glen David Gold's debut novel "Carter Beats the Devil" that Jon Shestack ("Air Force One") will produce, Shestack confirmed to TheWrap.
Michael Gilio will adapt the novel, which follows the exploits of real-life magician Carter the Great. The movie will reportedly focus on the magician's skills and ability to deceive his audience.
The film had previously been in development at Paramount, which optioned the property in 2002 for Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner to produce. Jon Berg will oversee the project for the studio.
Shestack is also developing a feature version of "Saved By the Bell" at Universal, but unfortunately, the project doesn't seem to be gaining much traction with studio execs, much to the dismay of Dennis Haskins' accountant. Deal Central still holds out hope that Zack, Kelly and the rest of the gang will reunite on the big screen sometime soon.
• "Friday Night Lights" regular Aimee Teegarden and "Gossip Girl" actress Yin Chang will be attending Disney's "Prom" with fellow cast members Thomas McDonell, Danielle Campbell, Nolan Sotillo, Jared Kusnitz, Nicholas Braun, Ben Esler, Kylie Bunbury and DeVaughn Nixon, according to Variety.
The high school comedy, which is said to be similar in tone to John Hughes' "Sixteen Candles" and "Pretty in Pink," follows a group of teens as they prepare for the big end-of-the-year dance.
The studio is hoping "Prom" could pull a "High School Musical" and launch new stars like Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, who helped the Disney Channel movie become a major franchise.
Joe Nussbaum directs from a script by Katie Wech, while Ted Griffin and Justin Springer will produce the $5-10 million movie.
• Universal Pictures has acquired Ben Schwartz's comic pitch "Would You Rather," the studio has confirmed to TheWrap.
The project is based on an idea by Imagine Entertainment's Brian Grazer, who will also produce. Grazer and Schwartz have been working on the idea together for several months. Universal's Peter Cramer will oversee the project for the studio, which is keeping the logline under wraps.
Schwartz stars in J.J. Abrams' upcoming NBC series "Undercovers." He also wrote and will star in a segment on the second season of HBO's "Funny or Die Presents" titled "Terrible Decisions With Ben Schwartz."
