So we can cover as many films as possible, rather than writing full stories on some of today’s smaller film announcements, we thought we’d give you these quick updates…
Now that The Sarah Connor Chronicles has been cancelled, Lena Headey has a bit of time on her hands and so she’s signed up for the TV fantasy pilot Queen Of Thrones. Based on George R.R. Martin’s book, Headey will play Queen Cersei of House Lannister, alongside Mark Addy as her husband. The books centre on a battle among seven kingdoms and two ruling families for control of the Iron Throne. Nikolah Coster-Waldau and Peter Dinklage are also set to star in the first episode for a potential HBO series. (Source: THR)
Marc Blucas (The Alamo, Buffy) has signed on to co-star in James Mangold’s upcoming thriller, which is currently untitled but is often known as Wichita. He’ll join Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz and Maggie Grace in the movie, which is about a lonely woman (Diaz) whose seemingly harmless blind date suddenly turns her life upside-down when a super spy (Cruise) takes her on a violent worldwide journey to protect a powerful battery that holds the key to an infinite power source. Blucas will play Diaz’s ex-boyfriend, who still holds a torch for her and is confused about Cruise’s characters intention. (Source: THR)
Russell Harvard and Shoshannah Stern will star in a biopic of UFC fighter Matt Hammill. The reason he’s seen as worth a biopic is because he’s the first deaf wrestler to win a National Collegiate Championship and is now at the top of the Ultimate Fighting Championship tree. Harvard (There Will Be Blood) will play Hammill, while Stern (Weeds) will be his love interest. Oren Kaplan is directing the low budget, probably straight-to-dvd film. (Source: Screen International)
Unsubstantiated reports e-mailed to numerous film and horror websites suggest The Weinstein Company is talking to Steve Miner about directing the third film in the Halloween reboot series. Harvey Weinstein has previously said a third film is in the works, but wouldn’t say what director they were talking to about it. Miner would seem a good choice, as he is responsible for shaping one of horror’s greatest icons as the helmer of Friday The 13th II and III, which is where most of Jason’s best known traits, including the hockey mask, emerged. He also made Halloween H20. At the moment there’s absolutely no confirmation as to the accuracy of this rumour. (Source: Bloody Disgusting)
Rashida Jones and Chris Messina have signed on to the indie comedy Monogamy, which will be the narrative debut of Oscar-nominated Murderball co-director, Dana Adam Shapiro. Jones (I Love You, Man) and Messina (Made Of Honor) will play a young couple in what the filmmakers describe as a “cautionary tale about sex, photography and fear of marriage.” The movie is shooting soon and hopes to start showing on the festival circuit early next year. (Source: THR)