Two projects have cropped up this afternoon, one of which that needs financing and the other a director, with both featuring two of the best acting talents around. So let’s hope some movie producers open up their wallets and do their jobs.
Jonathan Demme, whom we haven’t seen a dramatic feature from since 2008’s “Rachel Getting Married” (though he’s done a handful of documentaries since) is attached to direct “Ricky And The Flash” written by Diablo Cody (“Juno,” “Young Adult“) and set to star Meryl Streep. Yes, that’s right, the Meryl Streep. If that trifecta of talent doesn’t get you excited, well we don’t know what to say, but the logline is promising with the actress to “play a woman who abandoned her family when she was younger to find fame and fortune in California. Decades later, she returns home to be a mother again.” Universal and Fox 2000 are among those interested in this one which is being shopped around, and let’s hope it finds a home. [The Wrap]
Meanwhile, Kevin Spacey is keeping it political, signing up to play Winston Churchill in “Captain Of The Gate.” Ben Kaplan (“Reagan“) penned the script that will track the leader’s rise to power and his actions during World War II to protect Britain from Hitler. Basically, everything you’d want in a Churchill movie. Sierra/Affinity is putting up the $20 million needed for this one, but before cameras can roll, a director will need to be found, which we don’t think should pose any particular challenge. [THR]
Lastly, real-life married couple Chris Pratt and Anna Faris will team up for the comedy “Vacation Friends.” Penned by Tom and Tim Mullen, with Steve Pink (“Hot Tub Time Machine“) directing, it’s described as being in the vein of “What About Bob?” following “a crazy wild couple that bonds with a straight laced couple on vacation in Mexico. They have a great time, and then want to rekindle the fun. Once the other couple gets back to their normal life, it’s not nearly the same kind of fun and their vacation friends won’t go away.” The plan is to shoot the movie later this year. [Deadline]
