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2004 Montreal Festival: "Montreal World Film Festival execs on Thursday announced early details of its lineup. Event runs Aug. 26-September 6. Fest will include the world preem of "Citizen Black," a feature-length doc from Canuck helmer Debbie Melnyk about embattled newspaper baron Conrad Black that includes interviews with Donald Trump, Henry Kissinger and newspaper columnist (and Black's wife) Barbara Amiel..." (more info). Every Word Is True: "Mark Wahlberg will portray "In Cold Blood" killer Perry Smith and Sandra Bullock is in negotiations to play "To Kill a Mockingbird" author Harper Lee in the Truman Capote biopic "Every Word Is True." Pic is written and will be directed by Doug McGrath for Warner Independent Pictures and Killer Films. Pic will focus on the relationship that developed between Capote and convicted murderers Dick Hickock and, in particular, Smith while the pair awaited execution on death row..." (more info). Herbie: Fully Loaded: "Michael Keaton is in the driver's seat on "Herbie: Fully Loaded," joining Lindsay Lohan in Disney's retooled "Love Bug" franchise. Angela Robinson ("D.E.B.S.") is directing. Keaton, who was last seen in HBO's "Live From Baghdad," takes the role after completing the Fox/Regency pic "First Daughter" for director Forest Whitaker..." (more info). The Entity: "Japanese helmer Hideo Nakata ("Ringu," "Dark Water") will segue from a sequel to "The Ring" at DreamWorks Pictures to an under-$15 million remake of "The Entity" at Fox Searchlight. Based on the Frank De Felitta novel of the same name, the 1981 original "Entity" pic starred Barbara Hershey. Story follows a woman whose life crumbles when she believes she is being repeatedly molested and raped by an unseen paranormal force. Terrified, she turns to a parapsychologist to investigate her claims..." (more info). The Passion of the Christ: "Malaysia's Film Censorship Board has given "The Passion of the Christ" a U rating, uncut, opening it up to all ages, but has slapped on a surprise restriction: You have to be a Christian to see it, Screenings will be held at public cinemas, but tickets will be available only through churches, not at box offices. The pic will not be advertised in the media..." (more info). A Princess of Mars: "Alphaville's sci-fi adventure-action picture "A Princess of Mars" is closing in on a new captain: director Kerry Conran. Conran, whose "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow," is set for release September 17, is in negotiations to direct "Princess," a Paramount-based production, as his next project. Conran entered the picture after former "Princess" director Robert Rodriguez resigned from the DGA earlier this year..." (more info). Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont: "Dan Ireland is set to direct the dramedy "Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont" for Cineville and Picture Entertainment. Adapted by Ruth Sacks from the novel by British scribe Elizabeth Taylor, the project centers on an elderly woman whose family persuades her to move to a London retirement hotel. After weeks without any visits from them, the woman befriends a struggling young writer who conspires with her to act as her grandson. The two wind up becoming good friends..." (more info). Princess: ""A Cinderella Story" producer Ilyssa Goodman has lined up a slate of projects. For her first post-"Cinderella" project, Goodman produces "Princess" from a script by Babar Ahmed, who will direct. The project is described as an indie action thriller about an American high school cheerleader who finds herself targeted for assassination when it is discovered that she's heir to the throne of a Middle Eastern country..." (more info). Syriana: "Michelle Monaghan, the female lead in Shane Black's "Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang" opposite Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer, will join the ensemble cast in Stephen Gaghan's "Syriana" for Warner Bros. Pictures and studio-based Section Eight. Monaghan joins George Clooney, Matt Damon, Amanda Peet and Max Minghella in the project, described as a geopolitical thriller tackling oil, international politics and the CIA..." (more info). Thankyou for Smoking: "Room 9 Entertainment has optioned the rights to Christopher Buckley's novel "Thank You for Smoking" from Warner Bros. Pictures. Jason Reitman, an award-winning short film and commercial director, is attached to direct from his script in what will be his feature film debut. The satirical comedy follows the machinations of Big Tobacco's chief spokesman, Nick Naylor, who spins on behalf of the embattled tobacco industry while trying to remain a role model for his 12-year-old son..." (more info). The Wrong Element: "Paul Bettany is in final negotiations to star opposite Harrison Ford in "The Wrong Element" for Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow. Penned by Joe Forte, the project revolves around the kidnapping of the wife and daughter of a security expert (Ford), who is forced to steal a vast sum of money from a bank he's protecting in order to ransom his family. As his efforts come to the attention of law enforcement officials, he races to complete the illegal transfer of funds in time. Bettany would play Ford's nemesis..." (more info). Untitled Lisa Schrager Pitch: "It's director Brett Ratner's turn in the development spotlight. He has signed on to direct his second project in as many days for Columbia Pictures. Ratner's newest project is known as the untitled Lisa Schrager pitch. Schrager's tale revolves around a female crew operating in Miami's organized crime scene who come up with a plan to take down their boss and free the way to move up within the crime family..." (more info).Batman Begins: Shooting takes place around Chicago's Lower South Water and Lower Garland areas Saturday & Monday night this week with "simulated gunfire, speeding vehicles, and bright movie lighting" to be seen all around. Casanova: Jeremy Irons has joined the cast of the Heath Ledger romantic biopic. DVD News: Details are up at Aladdin: SE, Clerks X, The O.C.: Season 1, The Day After Tomorrow, Greg the Bunny & Battlestar Galactica: Mini-Series. Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire: HPANA reports that according to a local resident near Berkhamsted, England, filming has been going on in secret for the past several days. Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban: More details on the DVD release are up at BusinessWire. House of Wax: The Elisha Cuthbert/Chad Michael Murray horror flick originally scheduled for this Halloween has been massively pushed back to a June 30th 2005 release date, putting it up against M:I-3 and "Fantastic Four". Little Black Book: An exclusive clip from the Brittany Murphy flick is up at IFilm. Robots: Three hi-res pics from the CG animated flick are up at MySan. Saw: Lion's Gate gory serial killer thriller has been pushed back to October, see Bloody Disgusting for details. Sin City: Coming Soon reports that Dimension Films has scheduled the Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller big screen adaptation of Miller's Sin City for release on April 1st, 2005. Suspect Zero: New photos from the Aaron Eckhart killer thriller are up at Rope of Silicon. The New World: The first shot of Colin Farrell as John Smith is up at Coming Soon. The Shield (TV): Shield Fans reports that Season Four is likely to premiere April 4th, 2005 with the first 3-4 episodes already written. The delay is due to Chiklis' commitment to "The Fantastic Four". The Weatherman: Photos from the set are up at PB. Tru Calling: Photos from the set of the second season are up at HNR. Without a Paddle: Details of a free screening are up at the official site. Thanks to 'Jakob', 'Brad', 'Dijares', 'Dimi', 'Nancy', 'Jeff', 'Sephora' & 'Mark'

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