Kate Hudson to Play Artist Margaret Keane in ‘Big Eyes’

Hudson Eyes Painter Role: Kate Hudson, probably looking for a little respect and some of that Frida/Pollock Oscar action, steps into the role of artist Margaret Keane, who wielded a brush before a federal judge to prove she, not her husband, painted her famously big-eyed waifs. Big Eyes, a sympathetic look at a seminal seventies trash-culture figure, is (natch) the directorial debut of Man on the Moon and The People vs. Larry Flynt screenwriters Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski. [Variety]

Affleck Picks a Kind One: As yet apparently a bit loath to branch out, Casey Affleck will once again play a brooding, isolated loner in an adaptation of Tom Epperson’s amnesia noir novel The Kind One, which Epperson will direct for the screen himself. [Variety]

Eno Gets Tragic: The American premiere of Will Eno’s Tragedy: a tragedy starts previews this March at Berkeley Rep, featuring Thomas Jay Ryan and David Cromwell. Play is described in press notes as an “apocalyptic comedy� and “a savage look at all of us in the dark,� cementing Eno’s reputation as your source for coy yet accusatory loglines. [Playbill]

As Yet Untitled — By You!: Missy Elliot is holding a contest through her Website for her fans to name her new album, which is due to release late this spring. We already called Eat It Like a Vulture, so back off! [Billboard]

Estevez Greets His Public: Emilio Estevez follows up Bobby by writing and directing another ensemble drama, The Public, this one about the growing number of homeless and mentally ill people taking refuge in public libraries. Eventually there’s gonna be a backlash against these Emilio Estevez public-library movies, but we bet he pulls this one out. [HR]