Starting at the top we learn that Kirsten Dunst is set to star in and co-produce with Film 360 a feature film adaptation of A.N. Wilson’s novel “A Jealous Ghost” for Paramount Vantage. Film 360’s Ben Forkner discovered the novel and immediately thought of Dunst after he had heard she expressed interest in a darker role. The story is being adapted by Megan Holley and will feature Dunst playing a young woman studying in London who, upon beginning a relationship with one of her professors, starts seeing demons. [The Hollywood Reporter]
Morgan Freeman is in final negotiations to star opposite James McAvoy in Wanted for Universal Pictures and director Timur Bekmambetov. the pic is based on a comic book miniseries by Mark Millar and J.G. Jones and follows a put-upon man (McAvoy) who discovers that his long-lost father is an assassin. After his dad is murdered, the son is recruited into a covert organization of killers and trained to follow in his father’s footsteps. Freeman will play Sloan, the lead assassin who trains McAvoy. [The Hollywood Reporter]
Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen is apparently eyeing a starring role in Dinner With Schmucks, a remake of French hit Le Diner de cons for DreamWorks. The French pic features a Paris publisher who urges his friends to invite the most pathetic people possible to his weekly dinner party. In the English-language remake, Cohen would play a guest so full of “schmuckiness” that he ruins the lives of anyone who comes into his orbit. [Variety]
AnnaSophia Robb has been added to the cast of Jumper for 20th Century Fox and director Doug Liman. Robb joins Samuel L. Jackson, Jamie Bell, Hayden Christensen, Max Thieriot and Rachel Bilson in the film based on the Steven Gould novel, which follows a young man (Christensen) from a broken home who discovers that he has the ability to teleport. In his quest for the man he believes is responsible for the death of his mother, the kid draws the attention of the National Security Agency and another youth with the same abilities. [Variety]
Finally we learn that “Rescue Me” co-creator Peter Tolan is ready to make his feature directorial debut with Finding Amanda based on his own script with Matthew Broderick set to star and an offer out to Evan Rachel Wood. Broderick would play a TV producer with alcohol and gambling addictions who attempts to coax his hooker niece into rehab. Wood would play the niece. Pic will begin lensing Jan. 3 in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. [Variety]
