You remember Open Water, that scary summer hit a few years back about the scuba couple stranded in shark infested seas, right? Or if not, you definitely recall the scene in Jaws where they tell the story of the WWII boat the Indianapolis, no? Well even if you missed either of these mega money makers, director Chris Kentis and producer Laura Lau want to make sure you don't miss the next shark attack, Indianapolis.
George Clooney is at it again. He and Smokehouse Pictures partner Grant Heslov have teamed up with Warner Independent Pictures to buy the screen rights to John Grisham's nonfiction drama "The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town." This is deal numero dos for Smokehouse/WIP this month, just last week they signed on together for White Jazz, the James Ellroy adaptation, in which Clooney will star.
Judging from what I’ve seen off screen, its apparent that Volver was the sort of professional and amicable experience that will produce a dozen more collaborations. Like the 40 or 50 classic director/actor relationships that come to mind, the Pedro/Penelope association seems to be one of the better partnerships. Variety reports that the long gestating project will probably be the next film to lense.
They like them documentaries and former prez/vice presidents over at Participant Prods. The socially responsible Jeff Skoll will focus on the only living U.S president who has probably done more for his country (and other nations) out of office, than in office. Variety reports that Jimmy Carter will be the subject of a Jonathan Demme’s newest doc project called He Comes in Peace.
When director Brad Anderson signs on to helm a pic, you bet two things: One, there will be bizarre plot twists, and two; he will take you on a fast paced ride you won’t soon forget. Thus, it’s appropriate that the next major project for the director will be set on a train racing across the tundra of Asia. Trans-Siberian is set on the infamous rail line as it runs from China to Moscow. Anderson, most recently known for work on HBO’s “The Wire” as well as “Homicide, Life on the Streets”, brings his edgy, slightly seedy world to the big screen.