Johansson keeps a Nanny diary
Scarlett Johansson is in negotiations to star in The Nanny Diaries, an adaptation of the best-selling novel about a college student who works for a family from hell. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Johansson would play the aptly named Nan, who juggles the Park Avenue household’s marital woes, her classes, a romance and a spoiled kid. And that’s all before breakfast! Johansson is definitely the “go to” girl these days, starring in the upcoming Woody Allen drama Match Point and next year’s Black Dahlia, about the notorious 1947 Los Angeles murder case. Keep up the good work.
Because Keaton says so, that’s why
Mandy Moore will star as Diane Keaton‘s daughter in the film Because I Said So for helmer Michael Lehmann. The film focuses on Keaton as a meddling mother who, in order to prevent her youngest daughter (Moore) from following in her footsteps, attempts to set her up with the right man. Oy vey, sounds so very trite. Keaton should know better–but then again, maybe with her involvement, she’ll turn it into something worthwhile. Looks like her upcoming The Family Stone–about a man who brings his fiancé home for the holidays to meet his family–should be a holiday crowd pleaser.
Thurman, Wilson are Super
Uma Thurman and Luke Wilson are starring in Super Ex, a superhero comedy that will co-star Wanda Sykes (Monster-In-Law) and Rainn Wilson (TV’s The Office). Directed by Ivan Reitman, the film centers on a man (Wilson) who learns that his girlfriend (Uma Thurman) is a superhero and breaks up with her when she becomes too controlling and neurotic. She then uses her powers to torment and embarrass him. Sykes will play Wilson‘s boss, while Rainn Wilson will play the best friend. Now, this is a comedy I can get behind.
Swank, Staunton fight for Freedom
Imelda Staunton, who was one of last year’s Best Actress nominees for her stirring performance in Vera Drake, has signed on to play opposite two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank in the high school drama Freedom Writers. Based on a true story, the films centers on a teacher (Swank) at a gang-infested Long Beach, Calif., school who is faced with the daunting task of teaching freshman English to a racially diverse class of teenagers. Staunton will play a colleague of Swank‘s character. What, another Dangerous Minds–the film in which Michelle Pfeiffer tries to teach a bunch of inner city gang members? At least we’ll probably get another cool hip-hop soundtrack out of the deal.
Snipes, Peebles hit on some Hard Luck
Wesley Snipes and Mario Van Peebles are reuniting for upcoming thriller Hard Luck. The two worked together on the 1991 gangster flick New Jack City, which Van Peebles also directed–and their new collaboration seems to be equally as dark. Hard Luck follows three converging storylines involving a serial killer, a former drug dealer and a sadistic suburban housewife. Cybill Shepherd is also set to star in the movie, I presume as the sadistic housewife. Shepherd better watch out. After embodying the stormy Martha Stewart in those TV movie of the weeks, she just might get herself typecast as a raving b*tch if she keeps this up. But then again, those juicy characters are a lot of fun to play.
The O.C. star breaks out
Benjamin McKenzie, the hunky but oh-so-tortured Ryan on Fox’s The O.C., will play opposite Al Pacino in the fast-paced thriller 88 Minutes. The movie, now shooting in Vancouver, focuses on a college professor (Pacino) who moonlights as a forensic psychiatrist for the FBI who receives a death threat claiming he only has 88 minutes to live. McKenzie is playing one of Pacino‘s grad students and a possible suspect in the professor’s investigation. Wow, Ben, not only are you playing opposite Al Pacino in your first major feature film but you’re out to kill him as well. Not too shabby, my man.
Adams is Enchanted
Amy Adams, who simply wowed critics this year with her stellar supporting turn in the indie Junebug, has been tapped to play the princess in Enchanted, a Disney romantic fable that will mix live-action with CG animation. The film is about a princess-in-waiting who’s banished by an evil queen from the cartoon world of Andalasia to the hardened world of present-day New York. The film goes from CGI to live action once the princess crosses over. She attempts to navigate the city, find true love and save herself. Sounds like a mix between Snow White and Cool World. Remember, that’s the one in which a vamp from a cartoon strip breaks into the real world, looking like Kim Basinger. I’m somewhat intrigued.
Until next week…
