"John Singleton's New Deal Prods. has inked a five-picture domestic distribution pact with Universal Pictures, giving him a beachhead at a second major studio. New Deal will finance all five pics, up to $15 million, while U will pay for P&A on the films' domestic release. First in the deal will be Latino crime drama "Illegal Tender," helmed by Franc Reyes. Singleton also has two pics left on his deal with Paramount stemming from its purchase of "Hustle & Flow" at Sundance in 2005. That pact remains in effect..." (full details)
"Dan Fogler will join Dane Cook and Jessica Alba in the Lionsgate comedy "Good Luck Chuck." Mark Helfrich is directing. Fogler, who won a Tony for his role in "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," will play a lecherous plastic surgeon and pal of Chuck, a womanizing dentist. Josh Stolberg wrote the script..." (full details)
"Fox has purchased Ryan Jaffe's comedy pitch "Change" and setting it up with Guy Walks Into A Bar productions. Story centers on a selfish man who has spent his life taking advantage of others but is forced to give it all back through a magical twist of fate. Jaffe also recently penned "The Rocker" for Fox and a pilot for Touchstone TV..." (full details)
