Biel Gets Wacky
She’s done the action thing in Stealth, big drama in the upcoming The Illusionist. Now Jessica Biel, looking to expand her feature film career, is heading into comedy, signing on to star opposite Adam Sandler and Kevin James in I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. I talked about this earlier but the laffer does sound pretty funny–if handled right. The story revolves around two heterosexual firefighters who pose as a gay married couple in order to qualify for their department’s domestic-partner benefits. Biel will play the duo’s attorney who becomes the object of Sandler‘s affection. And Adam is probably really excited about that.
The New Joker
I’m not quite sure if I can picture Heath Ledger as the Joker. I mean, Jack Nicholson made such an inedible impression as the wide-mouthed villiain in Tim Burton‘s first Batman. Nevertheless, the Oscar-nominated Aussie, who was so good as the tormented cowboy in last year’s Brokeback Mountain, is set to play the bad guy, squaring off against Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman in the sequel The Dark Knight. Christopher Nolan is also returning to the directing chair. I’m betting Heath’s Joker won’t be too over the top, but guess we’ll just have to wait and see if it’s a right match.
Kidman Uses Golden Compass
Nicole Kidman is in final negotiations to star in The Golden Compass, an adaptation of the first installment of author Philip Pullman’s best-selling His Dark Materials trilogy. According to the Hollywood Reporter, newcomer Dakota Blue Richards already has been cast as Lyra, a girl who discovers she is at the heart of a hideous conspiracy and that the fate of many children rests with her. She embarks on a journey to the far north to save her best friend and encounters shape-shifting creatures, witches and a variety of otherworldly characters. Kidman will play Mrs. Coulter, a sinister scholar and socialite with a mysterious past who has a secret link to Lyra. Ohh, sounds coooool!
Pegg’s a Fat Boy
Britain’s latest funnyman, Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead), is in negotiations to star in Run, Fat Boy, Run, a romantic comedy that marks the feature directing debut of Friends’ David Schwimmer. OK, you’ve got me intrigued. The project centers on a charming but oblivious overweight guy who leaves his fiancée on their wedding day only to discover years later that he really loves her. To win her back, he must finish a marathon while making her realize that her handsome, wealthy fiancé is the wrong guy for her. And that’s where you lose me. Still, maybe Pegg, who is so funny in Dead and Mission: Impossible III, could make it work.
Blunt Joins Buck Howard
Speaking of British, actress Emily Blunt, who snarked with the best of them in her breakout performance in The Devil Wears Prada, is in negotiations to join John Malkovich in the comedy The Great Buck Howard. Malkovich plays the title character, a luckless magician who struggles to reinvigorate his career with the help of his assistant (Colin Hanks). Blunt will play a publicist hired to promote an event that will put him back on the map. What’s with all these magician movies these days (Scoop, the upcoming The Illusionist and The Prestige)? I guess the intrigue of watching how a magic trick work is suddenly on par with car chases. Or maybe not.
Until next week…
