Jack Black and Shirley MacLaine reunite in "Wild Oats"
LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) – Jack Black must have really enjoyed working with Shirley MacLaine on the recent indie comedy “Bernie,” because he’s already planning a cinematic reunion with his brassy co-star. The “School of Rock” funnyman is in talks to join MacLaine in “Wild Oats” for director Howard Deutch (”Pretty in Pink”). The film’s cast also includes Jacki Weaver, who earned an Oscar nomination for her villainous turn in “Animal Kingdom,” and Academy Award winner Alan Arkin (”Little Miss Sunshine”). “Wild Oats” is billed as a cross between “Sideways” and “Thelma and Louise. …
Peter Berg discusses bringing "Battleship" to film
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Peter Berg parlayed successful acting work on TV shows like medical drama “Chicago Hope” to an even greater directing career of movies such as “Friday Night Lights,” which later became a TV series, and the Will Smith action flick “Hancock.” On Friday, Berg’s latest film, alien-invasion actioner “Battleship,” steams into theaters. It takes its title from the Hasbro board game in which two players engage in a guessing game to see who can sink the other’s naval ships. …
Philip Roth’s "American Pastoral" to be movie
LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) – Philip Roth’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “American Pastoral” will be made into a movie from director Fisher Stevens. The book is one of Roth’s most critically heralded and offers a look at the social upheavals of the 1960s and 70s as seen through the eyes of a once legendary high school athlete, Seymour “Swede” Levov. “American Pastoral” helped kick off a career renaissance for the author and is the first novel in Roth’s American postwar trilogy – a grouping that also includes “I Married a Communist” and “The Human Stain. …
SXSW hit "See Girl Run" gets North American distribution
NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) – Phase 4 Films has acquired the North American rights to “See Girl Run,” the romantic drama starring Adam Scott and Robin Tunney. The film made its debut at South by Southwest and will be released in theaters and on VOD later this year. Tunney stars as a 30-something who becomes preoccupied with missed opportunities and unaccomplished dreams. She decides to revisit past relationships to try and enlighten her life. Nate Meyer wrote and directed the film. …
"Prometheus" writer teases possible sequels
LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) – There is a thick veil of secrecy surrounding “Prometheus,” but co-writer Damon Lindelof hinted to fans this week that the upcoming science-fiction chiller may lead to sequels. The indication that more deep-space terrors could await even after the final credits roll on the film came during a studio-sponsored question-and-answer session on Twitter Wednesday. In response to a question about a possible “Prometheus” franchise, Lindelof replied, “If you like it and want more, there is TOTALLY a design for this story to continue in cool and unexpected ways. …
Michael Rapaport to star in "My Man Is A Loser"
NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) – Michael Rapaport will star with Bryan Callen of “The Hangover” in “My Man is a Loser.” The comedy, written and directed by Mike Young, starts production this June in New York. It follows two married man who try to be better husbands by using their “playboy buddy.” Of course, those attempts backfire. David Goldin and Eric Bamberger of Step One of Many Entertainment are producing with Michael Becker of Imprint Entertainment. Imprint recently acquired a biography of Pam Grier to adapt and is in post-production on “Pawn,” starring Forest Whitaker and Ray Liotta. …
Travolta accuser hires celebrity lawyer Allred
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – The masseur whose $2 million sexual battery lawsuit against Hollywood actor John Travolta was dismissed earlier this week hired celebrity attorney Gloria Allred on Wednesday and could file a new claim. Allred, who numerous high-profile cases over the years have included representing women involved in the Tiger Woods sex scandal, said on Wednesday that she is now the attorney for “John Doe No. 1″ and will be consulting with the masseur on his next steps in the case that has made headlines worldwide. “Mr. …
FilmDistrict acquires horror film "Oculus"
NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) – Do you believe in haunted mirrors? Film District will try to make you. The financing and distribution company has acquired Intrepid Pictures’ horror flick “Oculus,” which is based on Mike Flanagan’s short film of the same name. Flanagan will direct from a script he co-wrote with Jeff Howard with production starting later this summer. Trevor Macy and Marc D. Evans will both produce and finance the project. Focus Features International is shopping its international rights at Cannes. …
Stealth Media Group co-producing "The Devil’s Banker"
LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) – Stealth Media Group will co-produce the thriller “The Devil’s Banker,” the London-based company said at the Cannes Film Festival. Stealth will also structure financing, as well as package and sell the $30 million film to international buyers. “The Devil’s Banker” depicts a political scandal that involves both the Mafia and the Catholic Church. These powerful institutions cause headaches for a British police Inspector investigating a murder in Rome. …
Joel Edgerton writing and starring in "Felony"
LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) – The Aussie up-and-comer is taking matters into his own hands by writing “Felony,” a new thriller in which he will also take a starring role. Edgerton isn’t a household name on this continent yet, but he’s racked up some high profile roles since his acclaimed turn in last year’s “Warrior.” He will be seen opposite Jennifer Garner in this summer’s family drama “The Odd Life of Timothy Green,” and will appear with Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan in “The Great Gatsby,” which hits theaters later this year. …