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PITT’S GOT SOME S’EXPLORIN’ TO DO
Nothing like a little romp in the Amazon, eh? That’s what Brad Pitt will look forward to if he can get his latest project off the ground, adapting David Grann’s upcoming book The Lost City of Z. According to Cinematical.com, this true story follows British explorer Percy Fawcett (rumored to be the inspiration for Indiana Jones), who in the 1920s, traveled into the Amazon, obsessed with trying to find a legendary, advanced city he named Z. He apparently made his way into the jungle with his son in search of this legend, and then disappeared. Over the years, even Grann himself have tried to retrace Fawcett’s steps, but could never solve the mystery. Maybe Fawcett found the city and is living is some alternate universe in which no one ages! OK, I’ve seen too many Lost episodes.
KEEP READING: Affleck Gets Back Into the Director’s Chair
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AFFLECK GETS BACK INTO THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR
Ben Affleck’s ears must be burning. Since helming the terrific Gone Baby Gone, I’ve been singing his praises as a director. I think he’s found his true calling. Now, Affleck is in negotiations to direct the story of slain journalist Don Bolles, according the Hollywood Reporter. Bolles was a reporter for the Arizona Republic in the mid-‘70s, who was writing a story about the mob and political corruption. Then, in 1976, he was lured to a hotel by an unknown source and blown up in his car. He survived for over a week, suffering amputations until he finally succumbed to his injuries 11 days later. Bolles’ murder did not go unpunished and it also inspired fellow journalists to come together to complete his work and expose corruption in Arizona. Maybe Ben can get buddy Matt Damon to play the lead.
KEEP READING: It’s a New Moon
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IT’S A NEW MOON
After much back and forth, Golden Compass director Chris Weitz is close to landing the job of directing the Twilight sequel, New Moon, sources tell EW. Summit Entertainment recently fired Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke from New Moon after it was determined she probably didn’t have the chops to handle the heightened special effects. Then they looked towards Weitz, who has a more credible track record in that department, having envisioned the very inventive Golden Compass — even if it tanked at the box office. No pressure or anything.
KEEP READING: Reeves Channels His Inner Samurai
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REEVES CHANNELS HIS INNER SAMURAI
Keanu Reeves, hot off his Day the Earth Stood Still box office winnings, is tapping into his inner swordsman with his next gig. He’ll star in 47 Ronin, a film based on the true tale of a band of samurai swordsmen who avenged the death of their master in 18th century Japan. Variety reports Reeves will play one of the samurai warriors, and the film will mix Lord of the Rings fantasy elements and gritty Gladiator battle scenes. And Reeves won’t talk much, right?
KEEP READING: Going Bounty Hunting
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JEN AND GERARD GO BOUNTY HUNTING
Wait, I reported a few weeks ago that Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler were negotiating to star in some prison musical together, but maybe THIS was the project they were lining up instead. According to Variety, they will topline an untitled bounty hunter comedy, with Hitch’s Andy Tennant attached to direct. The story centers on a bounty hunter (Butler) hired to retrieve his ex-wife (Aniston), who has skipped bail. Hmmm.
KEEP READING: Giamatti Heads to Babylon
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GIAMATTI HEADS TO BABYLON
I’m not entirely sure why Paul Giamatti has decided to follow up his Emmy-winning (and possibly Golden Globe-winning) performance in HBO’s John Adams with this. But nonetheless, he is attached to star with Anthony Mackie in Babylon, an indie film about a Rasta (Anthony Mackie) from the isolated hills of Jamaica, who joins up with Giamatti, as a British minister, and a 12-year-old Jamaican boy, as they try to outrun gangsters from a Kingston ghetto.
LAST WEEK’S DOTTED LINE: Kristen, Hilary and a New ‘Arthur?’
