Friday news take - April 18, 2008

 

Time sure passes quickly enough, and it's time to kick off the weekend with a bunch of film news. Today, we learned Emma Watson has joined a period drama, Brett Ratner is thinking about directing a family flick, Val Kilmer stars in a crime drama, and the co-creator of "Battlestar Galactica" has big plans at United Artists. Also, be sure to go to the movies this weekend. Opening in wide release today are "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," "88 Minutes" and "The Forbidden Kingdom." For now thought, enjoy today's take on movie news.  

Emma Watson to flirt with ‘Napoleon’
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Emma Watson is in negotiations to star in Benjamin Ross’ “Napoleon and Betsy,” a drama about a young woman who falls in love with Napoleon on the island of St. Helena.

Watson would star as Betsy Balcombe, a woman trapped in the same island Napoleon lives in exile. Scarlett Johansson was originally attached to play the role, but she eventually dropped out.

Watson is best known for her role as Hermione Granger in the “Harry Potter” series. She also recently starred in the British TV family drama “Ballet Shoes.” The next “Potter” installment, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” is schedules to open in theaters Nov. 21, 2008.


Brett Ratner to direct ‘Shrinking Man’?
“Rush Hour” director Brett Ratner is attached to direct Universal’s remake of the 1957 sci-fi classic “The Incredible Shrinking Man,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Based on a novel by Richard Matheson, the film tells the story of a Las Vegas magician who’s put under a curse that makes him shrink. Running against time, he embarks on a mission to reverse the effects before he literally disappears.

Eddie Murphy is in negotiations to star in the lead role. Ratner last directed “Rush Hour 3” and is currently filming a segment for “New York, I Love You.”


Berry joins ‘Frankie and Alice’
Variety reports Halle Berry has signed on to star in “Frankie and Alice,” a drama about a woman struggling with multiple personality disorder.

No further details have been released. Berry was last seen in Susanne Bier’s “Things We Lost in the Fire.”She currently working on several developing projects, including John Singleton’s upcoming crime drama “Tulia,” and Doug Atchison’s comedy “Class Act.”


‘Battlestar Galactica’ co-creator eyes sci-fi trilogy
Ronald D. Moore, co-creator of TV’s “Battlestar Galactica,” closed a deal with United Artists to create a science fiction trilogy, according to Variety.

As of now, no details have been released. The project is in early developmental stages, but we’ll keep you posted once we learn more.


Kilmer hits ‘Streets of Blood’
In other casting news, Variety reported Val Kilmer, 50 Cent and Sharon Stone have signed on to star in “Streets of Blood,” a drama directed by Charles Winkler, son of Irwin Winkler.

The plot revolves around two cops in post-Katrina New Orleans. Winkler will direct a script written by Eugene Hess.

Kilmer was last seen on the big screen in “Déjà Vu.” He most recently voiced K.I.T.T. in TV’s revival of “Knight Rider.”