"Sony Pictures Classics snapped up Brazilian drama "The House of Sand" on Wednesday, and Rogue Picture said it finalized its acquisition of "Dave Chappelle's Block Party" as the dealmaking continued at the Toronto International Film Festival. SPC bought North American rights to "Sand" from Brazil's Conspiracao Filmes..." (full details)
"Virginia Madsen, Bruce Willis and Bruce Dern are blasting off with "The Astronaut Farmer," which the Polish Brothers are making for Warner Independent Pictures. The story centers on an eccentric farmer (Billy Bob Thornton) who dreams of space travel and sets out to build a rocket in his barn. His neighbors consider him an oddity, the government thinks he is a threat and the media see him as a story. Madsen plays the farmer's wife, and Willis plays the farmer's former NASA colleague. Dern will play Madsen's father..." (full details)
"Walt Disney Pictures is in final negotiations with Martin Short to play the villain in "The Santa Clause 3." Short will get a seven-figure deal to play Jack Frost, who tries to take over Christmas from Santa Claus. Tim Allen returns as Santa, aka Scott Calvin, who struggles to keep his new family happy while battling Frost. Michael Lembeck, who directed the second "Santa Clause" film, returns to helm the third installment. Lensing starts November 14th for a holiday 2006 release..." (full details)
"Walden Media has acquired "Tortoise and Hippo," a pitch for an animated film to be scripted by "Shrek" co-writer Roger S.H. Schulman. The film will mix live action and photo-real CGI animation, the formula used in the upcoming "Charlotte's Web." The story is an unlikely bonding tale of a cranky old tortoise in India who at first tolerates the baby hippo because it is a chick magnet, but develops patriarchal feelings and takes the baby on a dangerous journey home to Africa. Walden will set a director shortly, but likely won't strike a deal with a distributor until it wraps up a toy deal..." (full details)
Thanks to 'KC'.
