Remember Joe Wright’s (“Atonement,” “The Soloist”) next project, “Indian Summer” based on a non-fiction work detailing the effects in India and Pakistan of the transfer of British power in the summer of 1947? Cate Blanchett will play the female lead, Lady Edwina Mountbatten, the glamorous wife of Britain’s Lord Mountbatten who was sent oversee the handover of power. Fateful events ensued… [Variety]
Does the world need a third “Bridget Jones” film? Probably not, but that’s likely not the point here. It’s Renée Zellweger, who’s set to star again, that desperately needs a hit and it’s likely she either instigated or was all too eager to jump on the project. Zellewegger’s last starring vehicle, “New in Town” was box-office poison and her previous hit was 2004’s “Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason,” so this move might be more career rehabilitation than anything. Apparently it’s in the early stages and won’t go into production until the end of next year. Count your lucky stars. [Variety]
Hugh Jackman will star in “Avon Man” for 20th Century Fox, a project written by “Hitch” scribe Kevin Bisch. It sounds like this is one for Jackman’s female constituency and not for the geeks that loved to hate “Wolverine.” It’s essentially about a laid-off auto dealership car salesman who is forced to become an Avon rep to make money. Of course it’s emasculating and hilarity ensues. Apparently it will have a “Full Monty,” vibe, but from the writer of the generic rom-com “Hitch”? Producers wish… [Variety]
We have no idea why Russell Brand was tapped to host the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. We like the guy, but didn’t think he was all that particularly funny last year. Either way, he’s set to host the show once again, this time set in NY. Perhaps he and Jonah Hill want to take advantage of all the celebs at the show and shoot more cameos for “Get Him To The Greek,” like they did last year. Meanwhile, Brand will lend his voice to the leading character in the live-action/CGI family comedy, ‘Hop’ directed by Tim Hill who directed “Alvin & The Chipmunks.” Sounds like it’s strictly for kids. [Variety]
Wondering if that “Where The Wild Things Are” trailer pegged in front of last night’s debut of “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince,” was any different than the one we’ve all seen? One of our contribs saw the pic last night and says, absolutely not. Oh well…
Mumblecore breakout actor Mark Duplass (“Humpday,” “The Puffy Chair”) will star in “The League,” a comedy about fantasy-football co-starring “Human Giant” comedian Paul Scheer and “Cavemen” TV star Nick Kroll. Umm, ok, if you say so. [THR]
Baseball films appear to be on the brain. Billy Bob Thornton will be producing, “Three Nights in August,” a film based on a non-fiction book about the 2003 series between the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs. Sounds just as potentially dry as “Moneyball,” could have been, but producers assure that this one has “wide appeal.” Suuuuure. [THR]
IFC Films is putting out John Krasinski’s directorial debut/David Foster Wallace adaptation “Brief Interviews With Hideous Men,” on Sept. 25, both in limited theatrical release and on VOD. [NYT]
