Hip-Hop Project: "Award-winning music video director Bryan Barber, who is in preproduction on a musical feature with OutKast's Andre 3000 and Big Boi for HBO, is pacting with Regency Enterprises to develop and direct another musical for the big screen. This one will find him helming a hip-hop musical inspired by what's described as a classic story, though the exact story and the details of the updated take for the multicultural project are being kept under wraps..." (more info). Killing Floor: ""S.W.A.T." helmer Clark Johnson has been hired to direct "Killing Floor" for New Line Cinema. Adapted by John Rogers ("Catwoman") from the novel by Lee Child, the thriller concerns an ex-military policeman who discovers corruption and danger in a tidy Southern community..." (more info). Party Boys: "Lions Gate Films has acquired the feature film pitch "Party Boys" from writer Josh Lieb, a former "NewsRadio" showrunner and co-executive producer of "The Simpsons". Ithaka Entertainment's Braxton Pope and Andrew Weiner developed the pitch and brought it to Lions Gate as part of their first-look deal with the studio. The duo will produce..." (more info). Straight-Jacket: "Here! Films has acquired worldwide distribution rights to the comedy "Straight-Jacket" from SRO Films and plans a fall release. Pic, written and directed by Richard Day, is set in 1950s Hollywood and is centered on a movie star who marries an unwitting studio secretary to conceal his homosexuality, without letting her in on the ruse..." (more info). The Cake Eaters: "Documaker Jessica Yu will transition to narrative features with indie production "The Cake Eaters," an offbeat comic drama scripted by and starring Jayce Bartok. Pic is scheduled to shoot in New York next month for Red Sky Pictures..." (more info). The Kite Runner: ""Troy" scribe David Benioff is in final negotiations to adapt Khaled Hosseini's novel "The Kite Runner." Sam Mendes will direct the film at DreamWorks. Story concerns a man who grows up in California but is forced as an adult to return to his native Afghanistan to right a longstanding wrong and rescue the son of a childhood friend..." (more info).Alone in the Dark: Uwe Boll talks the film's FX to Insomniac Mania. Batman Begins: Cinescape reports that the trailer originally to go out today with "I, Robot" has been pulled with no forseeable schedule as to when it'll hit (it won't be with "Catwoman" either). Baby Geniuses: The official site for the kiddie comedy is now online. Beowulf: Mediasharx reports that Warner Bros has hired Matthew Sand to write a film version of the classic tale. This will be the second film production of the story this year; a European version is currently under way with Gerard Butler. DVD News: Details & art is up for Universal Discs, In Living Color: Season 2, Spider-Man 2 & The Hunger.
Fox Schedule: Fox's planned series/season premiere rollout schedule is up at Mediasharx. Global Frequency: In addition to Michelle Forbes as Miranda Zero, Aimee Garcia has been cast in the role of Aleph according to KryptonSite. Liz Taylor Returns: The New York Post reports that Elizabeth Taylor is trying to lure Doris Day out of retirement in Carmel to make a movie which would be their "one last hurrah!" (Yes, Miz Liz is said to have used those words.) Doris, happy with her animals, says she is "interested but wants to see a script". Ocean's 12: "Ocean's 12" producer Jerry Weintraub set the record straight to Yahoo Movies: Mobsters didn't try to extort anyone connected with the production during shooting in Italy. Superman: David Goyer mentioned on bladetrinity.com that "The rumor about me and Superman? Not true. They haven't approached me -- even to write on it. But I am talking to Warners about another potential DC property". The Fantastic Four: Fox confirms that Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis, Director Tim Story, Producer Avi Arad & Producer Ralph Winter are all coming to promote the film at the San Diego Comic Con. The West Wing: Very early rumours have begun to swirl that due to the disappointing quality of last season, Aaron Sorkin just might be returning in some capacity to his baby. Without a Paddle: Actress Bonnie Somerville talks about departing "The O.C." and her work in the new Matthew Lillard comedy is up at The Trades. Thanks to 'Scott', 'Rob', 'Kenny', 'rNexus', 'KarlChilders', 'Gustavo' & 'Marcus'
