The Robotic Stallion: Early last month we heard that Hugh Jackman was in talks to star in a mind-blowing Rocky-esque movie about boxing robots. Now it’s official. Shawn Levy will direct Real Steel, which is based on a Richard Matheson short story, for DreamWorks. It focuses on a boxer who has to figure out how to remain relevant when robot boxers replace humans. So he becomes a trainer and works with a scrap-heap of a robot who can’t seem to lose. Along the way he discovers an 11-year-old son (who’s human) and they bond as the roboxer works his way to the top. At some point the robot will likely chase a chicken. [Variety]
RAAAAAAAANDY: Judd Apatow and Universal Pictures have picked up three comedy pitches from Aziz Ansari and fellow Human Giant alum Jason Woliner. Ansari is slated to star in all three, and Woliner will direct. The projects are: Let’s Do This, a road movie about two employees for a motivational speaking company; an untitled film about a shamed astronaut who must return to space to regain respect; and another untitled project about “RAAAAAAAANDY†of Funny People fame. “We didn’t expect all three to work,†said Ansari. “We had a breakfast meeting with Judd and pitched them. We were like, ‘Which one do you like?’ He wanted all three.†For some people, it’s that easy. [Variety]
In the Cards: USA has given the greenlight to a sixth season of Psych, set to air in 2010-11, which will make it that network’s longest-running show still in production. This news came as no surprise to star James Roday, who knew it would happen all along. [Variety]
Thor Gets a Kat: Kat Dennings is the latest to join the cast of Thor. Marvel isn’t saying who Dennings will play but the gentlemen at Slashfilm looked into it, and their educated guess says Marcy Lewis, the smirky intern for a scientist. Dennings has smirky down. [THR]
Horsing Around: Katherine Brooks has signed on to direct Freak for Gravity Films. The story is based on the life of Julie Krone, the first female jockey to win a Triple Crown race and the first female jockey inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of fame. Brooks previously directed The Osbournes but she decided working with animals would be a make for a less stressful career. [Variety]