Dustin Hoffman and Paul Giamatti are set to team in indie-drama “Barney’s Version,” that is sadly not a film about the popular children’s friendly monster show. Actually it’s an adaptation of Mordecai Richler’s final novel of the same name. Richard J. Lewis will direct the film which follows a retired cop and father of the story’s title character who has led a reckless life highlighted by three marriages, two children and now become a person of interest in a disappearance case of a friend. [Variety]
Al Pacino is in talks to star in HBO’s Dr. Jack Kervokian biopic. The film will be helmed by milquetoast mainstreamer Barry Levinson and follow the man also known as Dr. Death, who assisted in more than 150 cases of suicide and had beaten the state court system in Michigan numerous times. He was, however, finally convicted after he willingly sent a videotape of himself euthanizing a terminally ill man to “60 Minutes.” [THR]
Alexander Payne has been revealed as the director of the pilot to HBO’s upcoming series “Hung,” the story of a well-endowed man (played by Thomas Jane) who aims to cash in on his assets. The 10 episode series will debut on June 28th and co-star Anne Heche and Jane Adams. [Variety]
A new picture from the set of James Cameron’s “Avatar” has been leaked and shows a glimpse of what is rumoured to a powersuit worn by human troopers when on the alien planet of Pandora. [/Film]
Israeli actress Liraz Charchi has been added to the of Doug Liman’s “Fair Game,” the story of of outed CIA agent Valerie Plame which stars Naomi Watts as Plame and Sean Penn as her husband. Charhi, meanwhile, will play Sawsan, an Iraqi doctor in Cleveland whom Plame sends undercover to Baghdad to gather intelligence. Actor Noah Emmerich — who had a very good turn in the otherwise mediocre “Pride and Glory” — has also just joined the cast. [THR]
A silver screen version of “Doctor Who” is reportedly in the works though it is not known which carnation of the doctor the film will take: the David Tennant form or newcomer Matt Smith, who will take the reins as of next year. [BBC]
Ask and you shall receive: the next installment of Edgar Wright’s video blogs for “Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World” has been unveiled and shows the director working with actresses Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Mae Whitman in an intense fight scene between their characters. Also featured in the clip are actors Johnny Simmons and Mark Webber; off-screen talent such as cinematographer Bill Pope and stunt coordinator Bradley Allan; and a plethora of extras. [Scott Pilgrim Blog]
