Searching For Salander: Though they have still not cast the pivotal role of Lisbeth Salander, Sony is moving ahead with its English-language version of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. The studio has set a December 21, 2011 release date for the David Fincher-directed movie, and is continuing talks with Daniel Craig to star as publisher Michael Blomkvist (Deadline says there may be a “scheduling problemâ€). Meanwhile, Sony has signed test deals with a cadre of young actresses interested in the Salander role, including Emily Browning (Sucker Punch), Sara Snook (Sleeping Beauty), Rooney Mara (The Social Network) and Sophie Lowe (Blame), according to Deadline. Also in the mix are a number of high-profile names, such as Carey Mulligan, Ellen Page, and Mia Wasikowska. No doubt all of the actresses have been studying Die Antwoord videos on YouTube before they test. [Deadline, Variety]
Ageless Beauty: Andy Tennant (The Bounty Hunter) will direct Katherine Heigl in the fantasy romance Adaline about a “beautiful woman who hasn’t aged for 100 years†and “meets a man who may risk his life to help her regain her mortality.†Hey Andy, try doing the opposite of everything you did on The Bounty Hunter and hopefully things will work out! [HR]
Temp Gets A Deal: B.J. Novak has made a deal with Universal Media Studios to keep him on board The Office as an actor, writer and producer through its seventh and eighth seasons. The agreement also will allow him to field new projects for the studio. Novak’s probably being bombarded tonight with congratulatory Woofs. [Variety]
Cruise Control: David Guion and Michael Handelman, who wrote the upcoming Dinner For Schmucks, have signed on to both write and direct Cruise of the Gods, a remake of the 2002 BBC comedy about a fan cruise held in honor of The Children of Castor, a “fictitious 1980s post apocalyptic sci-fi TV series.†The cast apparently has “mixed feelings, specifically dependent on whose career stalled with the series, and who went on to bigger and better things.†Sounds like a VH1 special but made up and on a boat. [Deadline]
Strange Indeed: Cole Haddon will write the screenplay for a big screen adaptation of The Strange Case of Hyde, a “fresh take†on the classic Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde tale. In this version, the “split personality [is the] center of a Victorian-era action-adventure that sees him go head-to-head against a historical villain.†Hadden seems enthused by the challenge: “I’m excited to be playing a part in restoring him to his proper place in the pantheon of movie monsters: at the top of the food chain.†[Heat Vision/HR]
Kansas City And Beyond: Art rockers Devo have announced dates for a North American tour which will kick off July 23 in Kansas City and continue through September, with the final date September 18 in Phoenix. If you go, don’t bother trying to ice them. [Billboard]
Kansas City And Beyond: Art rockers Devo have announced dates for a North American tour which will kick off July 23 in Kansas City and continue through September, with the final date September 18 in Phoenix. If you go, don’t bother trying to ice them. [Billboard]