It’s look like Jean-Marc Vallée‘s time is coming. Ever since breaking out with “C.R.A.Z.Y.” in 2005, the Canadian filmmaker has been edging his way into Hollywood, helming the somewhat underrated “The Young Victoria” and of course, this fall’s awards season contender “The Dallas Buyers Club” starring Matthew McConaughey. Next up, he’ll be behind the camera for another true story tale in “Wild,” with Reese Witherspoon slated to lead, and he’s already lining up his next gig after that.
Vallée will be at the helm of “Demolition,” that has folks like John Malkovich and Jason Reitman behind him as producers. Penned by Bryan Sipe, the film follows “a young investment banker struggling to understand his emotional disconnect after the tragic death of his wife. He begins to tear apart his life in a distraught effort to see where he went wrong, but is ultimately rescued by a woman he meets in a chance encounter.” Casting is already underway with a shoot planned for next summer. [Deadline]
In other director news, someone who likely won’t get an Oscar anytime soon, Len Wiseman, is headed to TV. He’ll executive produce and direct the pilot for “Allegiance” over at ABC. The spec script by Sue Chung that apparently created a bidding war “centers on a young female FBI agent who, after a series of devastating, high-tech attacks on the government, pursues the smartest and deadliest domestic terrorist in American history: her own mother.” Okay, we’re intrigued. [Deadline]
Lastly, “Zombieland” helmer Ruben Fleischer is getting some “Strange Calls.” He’ll produce and direct the pilot of the comedy show on ABC about “good-hearted, bumbling Boston cop Toby Banks, who is exiled to night duty on Nantucket island, where strange, unexplainable occurrences become the norm nine months out of the year. Working out of a creaky lighthouse on the outskirts of town, he is teamed with Gregor, the eccentric lighthouse keeper and local paranormal authority. The two make an unlikely crimefighting duo dealing with the ‘strange calls’ that come into the station at night.” Sound wacky? Well, it’s based on an Australian series so…. [Deadline]