"Narc writer/director Joe Carnahan is set to helm Smokin' Aces, an ensemble action-comedy. The film centers on Las Vegas performer-turned-gangster, Buddy Israel, who decides to turn state's evidence and testify against the mob. As a result, it seems that a whole lot of people would like to see him dead. Production on the film is scheduled to start in mid-October in Lake Tahoe and Los Angeles..." (full details)
"Independent film company Co. Op has optioned rights to Gigi Levangie Grazer's "Teacher, Teacher." Gavin Grazer is slated to helm. According to Kravitz, the original screenplay had been in development at Columbia Pictures, where it had gone through a rewrite, but he said Co. Op was interested in its original draft. "Teacher, Teacher" is a dark comedy about students who take revenge on one of their teachers. Kravitz acknowledged the similarity in subject matter to 1999's "Teaching Mrs. Tingle" but noted that "Teacher" "is much more of a comedy -- it's high jinks..." (full details)
"Lori Silverbush ("On the Outs") has been tapped to helm coming-of-age drama "Bluesman". Michael Burkhardt adapted the novel by Andres Dubus III, who also wrote the novel "House of Sand and Fog." Shooting is expected to begin in Louisiana in late fall. Story centers on a 17-year-old in the summer of his first love against the backdrop of the Vietnam War and a father isolated in personal grief. They find their only common language is the music of the blues..." (full details)
"Leading opera director Francesca Zambello is set to helm her first feature, "The Legend of Pork Pie," a musical fantasy from indie producer Daniel Bigel. Penned by Michael Genet (Spike Lee's "She Hate Me"), the mythical jazz fable concerns a young man's search for his father, which leads him to legendary jazz club the Pork Pie Hat Bar. Film's budget is $25 million..." (full details)
Thanks to 'KC'.
