Impossible Feat: Summit has acquired the rights to The Impossible, which will star Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor. The film — to be directed by Juan Antonio Bayona (in his English-language directing debut) from a Sergio G. Sanchez script — is based on a true story that took place during the tsunami that hit the coast of Thailand in 2004. Here’s hoping it’s an uplifting survival tale with an epic romance, as opposed to a depressing destruction tale with a doomed romance. [HR]
Coming Up Rose: Rose Byrne, Maya Rudolph, and Chris O’Dowd have joined Kristen Wiig’s upcoming, untitled bridesmaids-themed comedy, directed by Paul Feig and produced by Judd Apatow. The movie will feature Wiig as a maid of honor who is competing with a bridesmaid (Byrne) for the attention of the bride. We would be nervous about the Brides Wars–ish vibe we’re getting if we weren’t comforted by the fact that it’s written by and starring Wiig. [Variety]
Dog Down Under: Josh Lucas will star in Red Dog, an Australian film from director Kriv Stenders (Lucky Country) about a “charismatic†dog who brought together a mining community in the seventies and eighties. Lucas will be staring opposite Koko … who is a dog. Apparently she’s a total diva. [Variety]
Set in Stone: Oliver Stone and writer Bruce Wagner have made a deal with premium-TV service Epix to develop a one-hour scripted dramatic series called Still Holding, based on a novel by Wagner. The series will portray “the colliding worlds of three disparate people in Los Angeles and the violent consequences of love and betrayal.†Stone said: “When a company like Epix comes along, it’s a chance to break new ground … they want to entertain and provoke; they don’t want their drama or comedy watered down.†Considering the channel hasn’t aired any original content yet, we suppose we’ll have to take Stone’s word for it. [HR]
Katic’s the Only One: Stana Katic (ABC’s Castle) has won the female lead in the romance For Lovers Only. Katic will play a journalist who runs into a former lover in the film, which will star Mark Polish (who also wrote the script) and will be directed by Michael Polish. The movie follows the couple leaving Paris and engaging in a love affair, marked by “long periods of carefree bliss and joy punctuated by brief moments of guilt and confusion with the final outcome left open to interpretation.†Well, guess it’s nice they let you know you’re going to be frustrated by the ending before you make the decision to pay the $12.50. [Variety]
A Nightmare Layover: John Singleton has signed on to direct and produce Layover, an action thriller centering on an ex-con whose family is kidnapped by a group of “corrupt TSA agents†during a seven-hour layover. Singleton clearly has a theme going on with his projects, as he’ll be shooting this after the film Abduction. [Variety]
Ozzy at It Again: Ozzfest will be returning this summer as a touring festival, with Ozzy Osbourne and Mötley Cröe headlining, the first time the two bands have toured together since 1984. The tour will kick off August 15 in California and will feature thirteen bands on two stages, as well as a “Village of the Damned,†which will include interactive activities, shopping, and entertainment. Sounds like heaven for the Hot Topic set. [MTV]