"Picturehouse has closed on rights to "El Cantante," Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez's turn on the screen as legendary salsa couple Hector and Puchi Lavoe. Movie was bought for $4 million-$5 million, with additional, substantial coin committed to P&A. Picturehouse bought all North American rights to the film and tentatively plans a July 2007 release after some editing to bring the film in at two hours..." (full details)

"Colin Firth is trying his hand at producing on the documentary "In Prison My Whole Life." Doc revolves around Mumia Abu-Jamal, a former Black Panther member who has spent the last 25 years in prison for murdering a police officer in Philadelphia. Marc Evans ("Trauma") helms..." (full details)

"Digital Site Corp. is partnering with Media 8 to co-produce and distribute romantic comedy "The Ramen Girl," starring Brittany Murphy and Japanese thesp Toshiyuki Nishida. Robert Allan Ackerman is directing from a script by Becca Topol. Story revolves around an American woman stranded in Tokyo after calling it quits with her boyfriend. She decides to train under the temperamental ramen master at the neighborhood noodle shop she frequents. Pic began lensing earlier this month in Japan..." (full details)

"Hollywood fight coordinator Jimmy Nickerson will direct Kuno Becker and Bruce McGill in boxing drama "From Mexico With Love". Glen Hartford and Nicholas Siapkaris penned the script. Story concerns a self-destructive young man who comes to the U.S. from Mexico illegally in hopes of becoming a boxer and enlists the aid of a washed-up trainer. Pic began lensing last week in San Antonio. Alex Nesic ("Sleeper Cell") also stars..." (full details)