"Jessica Simpson's next project is titled Major Movie Star. In the film, to be produced by "Dukes" producer Bill Gerber, Simpson will play an actress who has hit rockbottom and enlists in the marine reserve. Simpson says she is taking on the movie because it is something Goldie Hawn, who starred in Private Benjamin, would do. Filming will start in the fall. Simpson added that she won't be starring in romantic comedy Room Service, an adaptation of the novel by Beverly Brandt, as was previously reported..." (full details)

"Brendan Fraser is set to star in the historical drama The Bitter Sea for director Roger Spottiswoode. The film is scheduled to start filming in China early November. The project, also known as The Children of Huang Shi, is based on the true story of British journalist George Hogg, who saved a group of children during the Japanese invasion of China in 1937 by leading them on a 1000 km trek into Western China..." (full details)

"Screenwriter Scott Frank is set to make his directing debut on "The Lookout," a dramatic thriller he scripted. Spyglass and Disney will finance and Joseph Gordon-Levitt will star. Pic revolves around a mentally impaired former athlete who works as a janitor at a bank and gets sucked into a heist. Shooting begins next spring in Canada. The script originated at DreamWorks and has had at various times attachments from directors Sam Mendes and David Fincher and stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Ryan Gosling..." (full details)

Thanks to 'KC'.