"Natalie Portman is to star in a new movie, Goya's Ghost, about the Spanish Inquisition. She will star alongside Spanish actor Javier Bardem (Jamon Jamon) in the movie about Spanish grand master Francisco de Goya. Portman will play Goya's muse falsely accused of heresy while Bardem will play a sinister monk. Filming is due to start in September..." (full details)

"Jaden Smith, the 7-year-old son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, has been set by Columbia Pictures to make his screen starring debut in the Gabrielle Muccino-directed "The Pursuit of Happyness." The youth gets a start in a role he will be comfortable with: He'll play the son of Smith's character. Scripted by Steve Conrad ("The Weather Man"), pic stars Will Smith as a marginally employed salesman who gets custody of his son just as he is about to begin a career-making stock brokerage intern program..." (full details)

"Ron Perlman, Charles Durning and Diana Scarwid have joined the cast of George Gallo's coming-of-age drama "Local Color." The independently financed film is currently lensing in Louisiana. Cast also includes Ray Liotta, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Trevor Morgan and Samantha Mathis. Based on a true story, "Local Color" centers on a talented but troubled art student who befriends an elderly alcoholic painter who has given up on art and life..." (full details)

Thanks to 'KC'.