"New Line has tapped Javier Bardem to star in its adaptation of the Gabriel Garcia Marquez 1985 novel "Love in the Time of Cholera". Mike Newell is directing and "The Pianist" scribe Ron Harwood adapting the tale of a man in romantic pursuit of a woman over five decades. Bardem next stars opposite Natalie Portman in Milos Forman's "Goya's Ghosts"..." (full details)

"Groundswell Prods, based in Beverly Hills, is an indie financing and production shingle that will make five pics per year under $20 million range. Groundswell launches with two projects lined up to start production this summer: "The Mysteries of Pittsburgh," to be directed by Rawson Thurber based on Michael Chabon's debut novel; and the espionage thriller "Trust," to be directed by Neil LaBute based on Robert Edward's script, set in Los Angeles at the height of the Cold War..." (full details)

"Beverly Hills-based production company Open Sky Entertainment has announced its first trio of projects, including a remake of director Herschell Gordon Lewis' 1970 cult fave "The Wizard of Gore". Jeremy Kasten is directing the horror film, about a master illusionist who is investigated for a string of gruesome murders. Crispin Glover, Kip Pardue, Bijou Phillips, Brad Dourif and Jeffrey Combs star. In May, they'll begin production on thesp Joely Fisher's directorial debut, "Zoe's Bed" a modern-day take on "Plaza Suite"..." (full details)