Scherfig Helming Mob Girl with Biel: Lone Scherfig (An Education) has been attached to direct Jessica Biel in Mob Girl, based on Teresa Carpenter’s book of the same name telling the true story of a mob mistress, Arlyne Brickman, who was raped by several Mafia wiseguys and who, in turn, infiltrated the mafia and turned state’s evidence. Evidence she helped to collect helped to put away Anthony Scarpati. The project is reportedly out to screenwriters. [Pajiba]
Scodelario as Cathy in Wuthering Heights: Kaya Scodelario had bit parts in Clash of the Titans and Moon, but will apparently be taking on a much larger role as she has announced on her Twitter page: “[I’m] gonna be in the new Wuthering Heights film! as Cathy! [Should probably] read the book… start filming next month, can’t wait!.” It’s an interesting way to learn a role most recently attributed to Scodelario’s former Clash co-star Gemma Arterton has gone to a name that’s relatively unknown, but that appears to be the goal of director Andrea Arnold (Fish Tank). The role was held for Natlie Portman as far back as April 2008, but she wasn’t the only one as the list of names also include Keira Knightley and Abbie Cornish. Ed Westwick was attached to play Heathcliff back in May 2009 when Peter Webber was attached to direct, but he is no longer part of the cast either. Will Arnold finally be able to get the latest incarnation of Emily Bronte’s novel off the ground where others have failed? I can see it being most likely as the price tag will most certainly go down the lesser known the actors are. [Kaya Scodelario on Twitter via The Playlist]
Friel Caught in Dark Fields: Anna Friel is the latest to join Neil Burger’s thriller The Dark Fields, joining Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro and Abbie Cornish in the Universal feature already set for a March 18, 2011 release. The story con a down-and-out Gotham writer (Cooper) who comes into possession of a designer drug that gives him newfound intelligence and success. De Niro will play a brilliant financial mogul who begins pursuing Cooper’s character. Friel will play Cooper’s ex-wife, a woman who was a go-getter before their breakup. [THR]
Rudolph Joins Wiig in Bridesmaids: Maya Rudolph (Away We Go) has joined the cast of the Judd Apatow-produced comedy Bridesmaids starring Kristen Wiig to be directed by Paul Feig (Unaccompanied Minors) for Universal Pictures. The film is centered on two women battling to plan their friend’s wedding party. Rudolph will play Lillian, the bride-to-be, and Wiig stars as her bridesmaid Annie. Universal has already set a May 13, 2011 release date. [Production Weekly]
Precious Scribe Stepping into Director’s Chair: Geoffrey Fletcher, the Oscar-winning scripter of Precious, is set to make his feature directing debut on Violet and Daisy from an original script he wrote and already in line to star in the feature are Carey Mulligan (An Education) and Saoirse Ronan (The Lovely Bones). Pretty much giving no indication what the film is about, it’s described as a Thelma and Louise meets Superbad and Pulp Fiction with plenty of action, and lots of girl power. Should things work out, rumor has it production may begin this summer. Ronan is currently filming Hanna for Joe Wright and Mulligan’s upcoming slate could have a lot or a little based on what rumors are true. Currently she only seems to have the role of Eliza Doolittle in John Madden’s remake of My Fair Lady on her plate, but there’s no telling when that will actually begin production and what else she has in the pipeline as her name is bandied about frequently. [Showbiz 411]
