Jon Cryer Nearing Deal to Star in Ricky Blitt's Comedy 'Hit By Lightning' (Exclusive)

May, 01, 2013 1:06 pm | Comments On #Movies

After securing a hefty raise, "Two and a Half Men" star Jon Cryer is in final negotiations to star in the indie comedy "Hit By Lightning," which marks the feature directorial debut of former "Family Guy" writer-producer Ricky Blitt.

Blitt wrote the script, which is described as a cross between "The 40 Year-Old Virgin" and "Body Heat."

Cryer is nearing a deal to play a single fast food manager who finally finds love with the perfect woman, but there's a catch -- she's married and wants him to kill her husband. Even though he's the sweetest guy who has never even killed a spider, he says 'yes.'

Chantal Chamandy is producing through...

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ICM Partners Add 3 Agents to Bolster Digital, Branded Entertainment Divisions

May, 01, 2013 11:00 am | Comments On #Media

ICM Partners has hired three new agents -- two to bolster its Digital Strategy Division and one to its Global Branded Entertainment Department, the agency announced on Wednesday.

Matthew Murray and Sarah Early will join the digital division, formed last June with the hiring of Keyvan Peymani. Both bring experience marketing brands. Early last worked on digital and cross-platform integrations at Telepictures Productions, developing branded entertainment for shows like “Anderson Live” and “Extra.” She previously worked at Innovative Artists, Don Buchwald & Associates and Abrams Artists Agency.

Also Read: ICM Partners, Screenz Team for Apps, Games Built Around TV

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Adam Driver in Talks to Reteam With Noah Baumbach on 'While We're Young' (Exclusive)

May, 01, 2013 10:49 am | Comments On #Movies

After working together on "Frances Ha," Adam Driver is in talks to reteam with writer-director Noah Baumbach on his upcoming "While We're Young," several individuals familiar with the long-gestating project have told TheWrap.

Driver's representative at the Gersh Agency did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Baumbach's "Greenberg" actor Ben Stiller has long been attached to star in the film, which follows a fortysomething couple that strikes up an unlikely friendship with a free-spirited younger couple.

Naomi Watts is in negotiations to play Stiller's wife, while Driver is being eyed for a role that James Franco and Jesse...

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Sergei Bodrov to Direct Black List Script 'Blood Mountain' (Exclusive)

April, 30, 2013 4:56 pm | Comments On #Movies

Russian filmmaker Sergei Bodrov, whose big-budget fantasy film "The Seventh Son" hits theaters in October, is attached to direct the 2011 Black List script "Blood Mountain" for Derby Street Films and Lawrence Bender Productions, TheWrap has learned.

Written on spec by Jonathan W. Stokes, "Blood Mountain" is described as an Afghan-based thriller that follows a young army ranger whose team is ambushed and killed in Pakistan, forcing him to personally escort the world's most wanted terrorist over dangerous terrain in order to bring him to justice. While being hunted by both of their enemies, they must find a way to work together in order to survive...

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'Downton Abbey' Star Lily James Named Disney's 'Cinderella'

April, 30, 2013 10:46 am | Comments On #Movies

"Downton Abbey" star Lily James has landed the title role in Disney's "Cinderella," the studio announced on Tuesday.

Kenneth Branagh is directing the live-action film, which co-stars Cate Blanchett as the evil stepmother. Alli Shearmur and Simon Kinberg are producing with David Barron.

James, who came to attention on the racy series "Secret Diary of a Call Girl," is best known for playing Lady Rose MacClare on "Downton Abbey." She had a supporting role in "Wrath of the Titans" and co-starred alongside Cillian Murphy and Tim Roth in the indie movie "Broken." She's repped by UTA and Tavistock Wood...

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Fox Buys Ian Shorr's Sci-Fi Spec Script 'Capsule' (Exclusive)

April, 29, 2013 4:00 pm | Comments On #Movies

"Cristo" screenwriter Ian Shorr has sold his sci-fi spec script "Capsule" to 20th Century Fox.

Matthias Hoene is attached to direct the film, which Hutch Parker (pictured at left) is producing with John Zaozirny.

Based on an original story by Hoene, "Capsule" follows a young man whose life is turned upside down when he begins to receive metallic capsules containing messages from his future self.

Aaron Ensweiler will spearhead development for Parker's production company Hutch Parker Entertainment, while Steve Asbell will supervise the project for Fox.

Shorr previously wrote "Cristo," a futuristic take on "The Count of Monte Cristo...

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Chris O'Dowd in Talks to Join 'Girls' Co-Star Adam Driver in 'The Coward' (Exclusive)

April, 29, 2013 3:43 pm | Comments On #Movies

Chris O'Dowd is in talks to join Adam Driver in Max Winkler's period comedy "The Coward," TheWrap has learned.

Set in 18th century England, the story follows a cowardly nobleman (Driver) who hails from a family whose men have historically come out on the losing end of to-the-death gunfights. When he panics after initiating a duel, he finds himself hiring a common criminal (O'Dowd) to stand in his place, though the scoundrel decides to improve his lot in life by stealing his employer's identity.

Winkler ("Ceremony") and frequent collaborator Matt Spicer co-wrote the script, which is based on a play by Nick Jones.

 

Big Beach is financing the project,...

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Scott Stuber Wins Battle to Produce 'Gears of War' Movie

April, 29, 2013 3:06 pm | Comments On #Movies

"Battleship" producer Scott Stuber has won a hard-fought battle for the movie rights to popular video game "Gears of War," an individual familiar with the project has told TheWrap.

Stuber and his Bluegrass Films banner will develop the project with video game publisher Epic. Michael Clear will oversee the project for Bluegrass, which has a first-look deal at Universal, though the studio is not currently involved with "Gears of War."

Bluegrass' next step will be to hire a writer to adapt the property, which was chased by high-profile producers including Lorenzo di Bonaventura ("Transformers") and Neal Moritz ("The Fast and...

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Hillary Clinton Biopic 'Rodham' Taps Director James Ponsoldt (Exclusive)

April, 29, 2013 12:07 pm | Comments On #Movies

Fresh off spectacular reviews for his Sundance film "The Spectacular Now," James Ponsoldt is attached to direct "Rodham," an indie movie about Hillary Clinton's early years, TheWrap has learned.

Written by up-and-coming screenwriter Young Il Kim, "Rodham" placed fourth on the 2012 Black List. Set during the height of the Watergate scandal, the story follows rising star Hillary Rodham, the youngest lawyer chosen for the House Judiciary Committee to Impeach Nixon, who finds herself forced to choose between a destined path to the White House and her unresolved feelings for former boyfriend Bill Clinton, who is teaching law in Arkansas.

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Colin Firth in Talks to Play Veteran Spy in Matthew Vaughn's 'The Secret Service'

April, 28, 2013 11:12 pm | Comments On #Movies

In a change of pace from his recent fare, Oscar winner Colin Firth is in negotiations to star in Matthew Vaughn's adaptation of popular Marvel comic series "The Secret Service," according to Latino Review.

Several individuals familiar with the 20th Century Fox project previously told TheWrap that Vaughn had tapped Firth for the lead role, though a studio spokesperson referred all casting inquiries to the director's production company Marv Films, which is financing the film.

David Reid and Adam Bohling, who are currently producing "Kick-Ass 2" with Vaughn and are expected to be involved in a producing capacity on "Secret Service," did not reply to TheWrap's earlier...

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