Duncan Jones, the U.K. filmmaker with a penchant for regurgitating re-imagining genre films (the very “Solaris” and Kubrick-ian “Moon”) has revealed that his next project will be a… sci-fi story that will ape hark back to “Blade Runner,” gee who woulda saw that coming? “No one’s really tried to make a film which was set in the same kind of world or had that same kind of field [as ‘Blade Runner’],” he said. “So that’s what I’m doing, a big-city mystery that takes place in a future Berlin.” [ed. newflash Mr. Jones there’s about a dozen films like this, the most recent is a BRITISH one called, “Franklyn,” in fact it’s already been dubbed “The British Bladerunner” by the local media and press].
He also added that three people he really wanted to see “Moon” were in currently in possession of it: “Neil Gaiman and Terry Gilliam have both watched it and loved it, so now I’m just waiting for Ridley Scott, which is the big one for me. That’s the really scary one.” Surely, Scott will watch it differently now knowing that Jones will be revisioning his ‘Blade Runner’ world. And yes, Jones is David Bowie’s son. [Popular Mechanics]
“Man On Wire’s” Philippe Petit is set for a performance of sorts this fall to promote literacy. Though details are sketchy, it will apparently feature midtown Manhattan. [In Contention]
Kristen Bell is set to lead Disney’s “You Again,” a story of a girl who finds out her brother is marrying a high school rival of hers. Dear Rob Thomas, please get the “Veronica Mars” film going again and save Kristen from films like this. Yours truly, Concerned Fan. [Variety]
Richard Jenkins has jumped on board Ryan Murphy’s Julia Roberts-led “Eat, Pray, Love.” Based on a novel of critical acclaim, the film will follow the story of a married woman who embarks on a journey of self-discovery after trying to get pregnant and realising she’s not living the life she wants. Murphy (TV’s “Nip/Tuck”) also adapted the screenplay. Also, since we last mentioned it, Murphy’s film “Need” starring Naomi Watts and Nicole Kidman seems to have disappeared off the map. Hmm, did Kidman’s pregnancy kill the film? [Variety]
Working Title Films have scored the rights to a film adaptation of the novel “McMafia,” a book by Mischa Glenny that focuses on the network of mob criminals in places as diverse as Mumbai, Johannesburg and Eastern Europe. These players reportedly operate illegal businesses and operations ranging from drug smuggling to human trafficking that equate to one-fifth of the worlds’ economy. [THR]
Hollywood Elsewhere is calling Jason Bateman’s supporting performance in Kevin MacDonald’s “State Of Play” the first of 2009 to warrant awards consideration. In the film, Bateman plays a sleazy, slick-haired D.C. publicist. Look, we’ve seen it. He’s good, but not that good. [Hollywood Elsewhere]
Variety has “painfully” announced the cutting of 7% of its staff. We found it pretty nifty how the publication disguised the move by titling the story “RBI cuts staff by additional 7%” and then just finding time to subtly add its name to the subtitle and opening paragraph. [Variety]
