Rise of the Machine Man: Darren Aronofsky has signed on to direct another project, even with shooting for Wolverine 2 tentatively scheduled for next spring. The new film is Machine Man, based on the Max Barry online serial novel. Mark Heyman, who worked with Aronofsky on the upcoming Black Swan, will write the script. It’s a story with echoes of Robocop, about an engineer named Charlie who “decides to systematically replace his weak fleshy parts with high-end titanium performance upgrades that he has designed.†[Deadline]
The Oceans Do Manhattan?: Brett Ratner is really going for a Danny Ocean vibe with Tower Heist, his caper flick that had already reeled in Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Gabourey Sidibe, Téa Leoni, and Alan Alda (who will play the Madoff-esque villain). Casey Affleck is joining the cast, as are Matthew Broderick and Judd Hirsch. Affleck will play Stiller’s straight-arrow friend and Broderick will play a former Wall Streeter in search of justice and redemption. [HR]
The Oceans Do Manhattan?: Brett Ratner is really going for a Danny Ocean vibe with Tower Heist, his caper flick that had already reeled in Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Gabourey Sidibe, Téa Leoni, and Alan Alda (who will play the Madoff-esque villain). Casey Affleck is joining the cast, as are Matthew Broderick and Judd Hirsch. Affleck will play Stiller’s straight-arrow friend and Broderick will play a former Wall Streeter in search of justice and redemption. [HR]
Another Goonie: Eugene Levy is reuniting with American Pie (all three of them) co-star Seann William Scott on the set of Goon, an underdog, indie tale of minor league hockey, which is being shot in Manitoba. Levy also joins previously named cast members Liev Schreiber and Alison Pill.
Fame Game Forever: Reality-TV queen Audrina Patridge (The Hills, Dancing with the Stars) is teaming up with reality-TV producer-king Mark Burnett (Survivor, The Amazing Race) to make an eight-to-ten-episode series for VH1. It “will document Patridge’s life with her family as she tries to navigate the world of fame and celebrity in Hollywood.†[Deadline]