GoldenPen: James McAvoy has signed on to star as Ian Fleming in a biopic about the man who conjured up James Bond, according to Pajiba. The Palmstar production currently has the working title Ian Fleming and $40 million in financing. Based on the book Ian Fleming: The Man Behind James Bond, the film will focus on the years of Fleming’s life that inspired him to create Bond, from gallivanting around London to serving time in WWII, which changed his life so much that he was able come up with things like the name Octopussy. [Pajiba]
Hitmen Who Hit Men: Forest Whitaker has joined the cast of St. Vincent, the upcoming film starring Mickey Rourke as a hitman masquerading as a priest who takes the confession of his target. The film will be directed by Walter Hill, who directed both Rourke and Whitaker in 1989’s Johnny Handsome. It’s unclear the role Whitaker will play, but as he’s shown before he could totally pull of pigeon-loving hitman. [Cinema Blend]
In A Flash: A rumor is floating around the internet on this deadest of Hollywood news weeks that Avatar star Sam Worthington will star as Flash Gordon in Breck Eisner’s upcoming adaptation of the comicbook. Of course, there’s one obvious problem with Worthington playing an All-American super-hero — he’s currently a nine foot blue alien. [Cinematical]
All About Him: Now that Jerry Zaks has bolted All About Me to join The Addams Family, Casey Nicholaw has stepped in to direct the musical on Broadway this spring. Nicholaw, who directed The Drowsy Chaperone and choreographed Spamalot, will helm the production which is a “a glorious celebration of everything Edna.†That, of course, refers to Dame Edna, one of the funniest Australian men dressed as purpled-haried woman you will ever see. [Variety]