"Lions Gate Films said Wednesday that it will produce the documentary "The U.S. vs. John Lennon" with LSL Prods. The film has already begun preproduction and will center on Lennon's life from 1966-76, when he transformed from a musician into an antiwar activist. The film has received support and cooperation from Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono. It will be cowritten, directed and produced by LSL Prods.' David Leaf and John Scheinfeld..." (full details)
"A week before the launch of the Toronto International Film Festival, Fox Searchlight Pictures has acquired the opening-night film, screenwriter-director Deepa Mehta's "Water." Announced by Fox Searchlight president Peter Rice, the film marks the third project in Mehta's elemental trilogy, which includes "Fire" and "Earth." "Water," set in 1938 Colonial India during Mahatma Gandhi's rise to power, has been embroiled in controversy since its inception..." (full details)
"Shawn Levy ("Cheaper by the Dozen") is in early talks to direct the casino-set thriller "21" for MGM. Brett Ratner had been attached to helm the project, but he took over directing duties on 20th Century Fox's "X-Men 3" in June after Bryan Singer and later Matthew Vaughn exited the third installment of the mutant franchise. The story, based on Ben Mezrich's best-selling nonfiction tome "Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions," revolves around a group of young men who become experts in the art of card counting..." (full details)
Thanks to 'KC'
