It looks like those rumors were true. Last month word emerged that Liam Neeson was being courted for a role in J.A. Bayona‘s “A Monster Calls,” and the actor has now taken the gig. He joins Felicity Jones in the adaptation of the novel by Patrick Ness that will follow “the unexpected bond that develops between a young boy and a beast that visits him in nightmares. Thirteen-year-old Conor O’Malley is troubled by his mother’s declining health, school bullies and the yew tree in his backyard that transforms at night into a monster that narrates strange stories. Over time what the terrifying visitor tells the boy enables him to come to terms with life’s truths.” And that beast will be played by Neeson with the film opening on October 14, 2016. [Screen Daily]
“Pitch Perfect 2” continues to get the gang back together, and Adam DeVine has signed up to return. The actor played the hilarious Bumper Allen from the all-male Treblemakers in the first film. Elizabeth Banks directs the follow that has Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson and many more on board. Sing next summer on May 15, 2015. [Deadline]
It looks like Leslie Mann is enjoying comedies that come in threes. Following the hit “The Other Woman,” the actress has signed for up DreamWorks‘ “Les Madres” about “three unemployed friends who decide their only chance at economic opportunity in today’s climate is to go after a criminal with a reward for his capture.” We’ve heard of wacky get-rick-quick schemes but this is certainly something new. [Variety]
After bouncing around a few much high profile directors, Warner Bros. is pushing ahead with the new take on Stephen King‘s “The Stand” with “The Fault In Our Stars” director Josh Boone. And the first first for the film is ‘Fault’ star Nat Wolff. No word yet on his role in the apocalyptic saga, but Boone is a big booster of the actor. “He’s a wonderful improviser, he’s my secret weapon, my lucky rabbit’s foot,” the director said. “Two or three of the biggest laughs in my first movie, he improvised. He’s gonna be in every movie I make.” [THR]
After delving in the saga of the West Memphis Three with his “Paradise Lost” trilogy, director Joe Berlinger is telling another true crime story, albeit in a feature format. Alessandro Nivola, Vera Farmiga, Evan Rachel Wood, Rita Wilson and Jennifer Beals are set to star in his “Facing The Wind.” The story follows “a model husband and father whose profound psychic unraveling leads him to commit an unimaginable act of violence against those he holds dearest, and his subsequent search for redemption.” The tale chronicles the first time the insanity defense was used successful, and we’re sure this is one that’s going to be an intriguing watch. [The Wrap]
Lastly, Peter Sarsgaard has joined Vera Farmiga in the ballet world comedy “Prima.” Benjamin Millepied of “Black Swan“/Natalie Portman‘s husband fame will choreograph the Evan Greenberg directed film about a mother’s obsessive quest for her daughter to play Sleeping Beauty. Filming kicks off this summer. [Screen Daily]