So we can cover as many films as possible, we thought we’d give you these quick updates of some of the smaller film announcements…
Like many singers before her, American Idol winner turned best-selling US country music star, Carrie Underwood, is trying her hand at acting. She’s signed up for Soul Surfer, about teen surfing champ and shark attack survivor Bethany Hamilton. The film will concentrate on how she managed to defy the odds and become a top surfer despite losing an arm in a shark attack at the age of 13. AnnaSophia Robb will play Hamilton, while Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid will be her parents. Underwood is set for the role of a church youth leader. The inspirational indie movie will be directed by Sean McNamara and began shooting this week. (Source: Variety)
Will Gluck, director of Fired Up, has lined up a new project over at CBS films. Initially a TV writer/producer, Gluck is now moving into film and will take the reins of Get A Job, about a college graduate and his friends who are forced to lovwer their life expectations when they leave campus and head out into the real world. (Source: Variety)
Warner’s proposed remake of A Star Is Born (yes, they want to make another one – this will be the fourth) has been languishing in development hell for years, but it seems the studio is still keen to move forward. The LA Times says that the current frontrunner for the role of the mentor figure is Russell Crowe, with Beyonce as the ingenue. However while Beyonce has expressed interest, nobody is signed for the movie, and Crowe seems more who the studio would like, rather than who they’ve lined up. Nick Cassavetes recently signed on to direct, and momentum seems to be picking up on the project, so expect more news soon. (Source: LA Times)
Last week it was announced that Tesco was moving into film production (you can read more about that here). It was also revealed that Paris Connenctions, based on Jackie Collins’ bestseller LA Connections, would be the first film made through the partnership between Amber Film and Tesco. Now the main cast for the film has been announced. Paris Connection with star Charles Dance, Trudie Styler, Nicole Steinwedell, Anthony Delon and Caroline Chikezie.The plot concentrates of the aftermath of the murder of a model, all set in the world of Paris fashion. The movie will be available exclusively through Tesco in May.