“Zombieland” and “Gangster Squad” helmer Ruben Fleischer will direct an untitled drug drama that’s in the works. Based on the recent New York Times Magazine article “The Sinaloa Cartel’s 90-Year-Old Drug Mule,” the film tells the true story of “Leo Sharp, the Indiana man who this year was caught running drugs for Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel and was sent to the slammer at age 90.” No word yet on who will write the script. [Deadline]
“Elizabeth” director Shekhar Kapur is going YA with “Tiger’s Curse.” Based on the books by Colleen Houck, the story centers on “teenager Kelsey Hayes, who learns that she has a powerful connection with a beautiful white tiger named Ren, while working at a circus in Oregon. When a mysterious stranger arrives to reclaim Ren and return him to his native India, Kelsey is whisked into an exotic adventure across the far reaches of the globe where she learns the powerful beast’s true identity – a prince who is the victim of a 300-year-old curse.” Julie Plec (“The Vampire Diaries”) wrote the script. [The Wrap]
Alex Garland (“Ex Machina,” “Sunshine“) is set to adapt and direct Jeff VanderMeer‘s “Annihilation” (the first in a trilogy). This is right in Garland’s wheelhouse, telling the story of “a biologist seeking answers about her husband’s disappearance in an environmental disaster areas sealed off by the government for the last 30 years.” [Variety]
Michael Cuesta, fresh off “Kill The Messenger,” is gearing up to tell another true, scandalous story. He’ll direct “Code Name Veil” about “a rookie CIA agent who investigates the first terrorist attacks against America—the Embassy and Marine barracks bombings in Beirut in 1983. When his station chief and mentor is taken hostage, he must resort to desperate measures, unwittingly becoming part of the scandal that would become known as Iran-Contra.” So, familiar ground for the filmmaker, and already sounding like a sorta-prequel to ‘Messenger.’ [Deadline]
Judd Apatow and Laura Dern are teaming up to produce a comedy about obsessive female football fans. Pam Brady (“Team America: World Police“) will write the script and we presume Melissa McCarthy is already circling. [THR]