Wednesday news take – April 23, 2008

 

It’s been a busy Wednesday. In today’s film news from around the globe, Amanda Peet is set to star in a comedy from Sony Pictures Classics, Miramax will remake a French film directed by Patrice Leconte, Paul Verhoeven is set to publish a new take on the life of Jesus, and Ang Lee revisits Woodstock. We also have a major announcement about Michael Moore (hey, just kidding). Enjoy today’s take on film news.   

Peet joins Holofcener project
Amanda Peet and Oliver Platt have signed on to star in a new comedy written and directed by Nicole Holofcener, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Sony Pictures Classics has aquired the rights to produce and distribute the untitled project.

Catherine Keener also stars in the film and will team up with Platt to play a couple who owns an apartment occupied by an elderly woman. They’re basically waiting for the woman to die so they can reclaim the property, but they soon run into some troubles with the occupant’s granddaughters, played by Peet and Rebecca Hall.

Holofcener’s previous directing credits include “Lovely & Amazing” and 2006's romance drama “Friends with Money.” Peet was last seen in “Martian Child” and will next star in Chris Carter's anticipated “The X-Files: I Want to Believe.”

Oliver Platt also made an appearance in “Martian Child” and recently completed filming for Ron Howard’s drama “Frost/Nixon.”


‘Man on the Train’ gets remake treatment
The Hollywood Reporter announced earlier today that Miramax is producing a remake of Patrice Leconte’s French drama “Man on the Train,” which won the audience award at the 2002 Venice Film Festival.

Thomas Bezucha, whose credits include “The Family Stone,” is in talks to direct a script penned by Daniel Taplitz. The film focuses on a bank robber who accidentally runs into an elderly man looking for a new purpose in life.

Billy Bob Thornton has apparently shown interest in joining the film, but as of now no cast has been announced. 


‘Starship Troopers’ director to publish Jesus book
No, we don’t have any news on Paul Verhoeven’s next film projects, but The Hollywood Reporter announced Wednesday that the Dutch filmmaker will release his anticipated biography of Jesus of Nazareth this September.

The “Starship Troopers” director has been working on this book for nearly two decades. One of the points he makes is that a Roman soldier may have raped Mary in Galilee, resulting in the later birth of Jesus.

Apparently, Verhoeven always wanted to make a down-to-earth film about the life of Jesus, and publishing this book may open up possibilities for a future adaptation. Poor Joseph; what would he say? 


Lee on board for ‘Woodstock’
Director Ang Lee will direct Focus Features’ upcoming comedy based on Elliot Tiber’s book “Taking Woodstock: A True Story of a Riot, Concert, and a Life,” according to Variety.

Adapted by James Schamus, the story is set during the summer of 1969 and follows a man whose actions will eventually provoke the birth of the legendary concert.

Ang Lee directing a comedy? Why not?


Michael Moore supports Obama
Also from The Hollywood Reporter, Michael Moore officially endorsed Barack Obama on Monday. In a posting on his Web site, he also explained why he’s disappointed in Hillary Clinton.”

I know this is not exactly exciting news, so, let’s just leave it at that.