On the back of Chris Hemsworth’s casting as the lead in Kenneth Branagh’s “Thor,” little known British actor Tom Hiddleston has joined the project as the nemesis, Loki – who is also Thor’s brother. Hiddleston currently co-stars with director Branagh on British television series “Wallander” and was a contender for the lead before Hemsworth’s announcement. Looks like Branagh is showing his hand as director – Josh Hartnett had previously been pushed for the role. [Nikki Finke]
Hugh Hudson will direct Colin Firth and Kevin Spacey in an adaptation of George Orwell’s “Catalonia.” The story revolves around the story of how Orwell and his wife Eileen traveled to Barcelona to fight Stalinism where Orwell joined the Anarchist brigade and fought in the Spanish Civil War. [Variety]
Claire Forlani, Dougray Scott and Rufus Sewell will star in Stephen Kay’s contemporary adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s classic story “The Fall of the House of Usher.” The film, which will be titled “The Ushers” and be shot in 3-D, follows a brother and sister who have lived in the same mysterious Martha’s Vineyard house for a long time, begin to feel trapped in the haunting house and bring in a real-estate broker to help them resolve their crisis. [THR]
Woody Allen’s lawsuit against American Apparel has been resolved with a $5 million settlement package on the morning the trial was due to begin. The clothing company had used Allen’s image without permission on its advertising and billboards which depicted Allen as a Hasidic Jew and featured Yiddish text meaning “the holy rebbe.” [THR]
Vincent D’Onofrio, Vinnie Jones, Paul Sorvino, Fionnula Flanagan, Laura Ramsey, Steve Schirripa, Linda Cardellini and Bob Gunton have all joined the cast of Jonathan Hensleigh’s “The Irishman.” The film will tell the story of real life mobster Danny Greene and already had Ray Stevenson, Christopher Walken and Val Kilmer on board. [THR]
Magnolia Pictures have picked up the U.S. rights to historical action flick “Warlords,” starring Jet Li and Andy Lau. The film is set in the upheaval during the Taiping Rebellion of the 1860s and features Li as a general who joins a band of bandits after surviving a massacre of his soldiers. [Variety]
Here’s your first look at Robert Zemeckis’ “A Christmas Carol,” starring Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth and Robin Wright Penn. [Trailer Addict]
