Tuesday news take - April 29, 2008

 

In our news take today, we have some casting and production updates for you. First of all, Mel Gibson is returning to acting for a while. Also, Phillip Noyce eyes a new film, Steven Soderbergh launches another one of his experiments, and producer Michael De Luca is writing a comedy for Columbia.

Phillip Noyce eyes ‘Money’
The Hollywood Reporter announced today that director Phillip Noyce is in talks to direct DreamWorks’ upcoming drama “The Art of Making Money,” a film about a professional counterfeiter who printed thousands of fake dollar bills.

Based on a Rolling Stone article by Jason Kersten, the film focuses on Chicago-based counterfeiter Art Williams, who was sentenced to seven years in prison last year for printing $10 million in fake currency. Frank Baldwin is in negotiations to pen the screenplay.

Noyce most recently directed “Catch a Fire” with Tim Robbins and Derek Luke. Other directorial efforts include “The Quiet American” and “Rabbit-Proof Fence.” His next project is “Mary Queen of Scots,” a historical drama starring Scarlett Johansson as Mary I of Scotland.


It’s ‘Dumped’ for Columbia
Columbia Pictures has acquired the rights to produced “Dumped,” a screenplay by Scott Rothman and Michael De Luca, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Not much about the project is known as of now, but the story line revolves around two friends who face a complex breakup when they both decide to engage in different lifestyles.

Michael De Luca is known as a big-time exec. producer who worked on films such as “Thirteen Days” and the recent “21.” He’s also producing Jim Sheridan’s upcoming remake of Susanne Bier’s family drama “Brothers,” starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Tobey Maguire.


Mel Gibson returns to acting
After spending most of the past four years working on his directorial efforts “The Passion of the Christ” and “Apocalypto,” Mel Gibson is now returning to big screen acting. According to Variety, Gibson has signed on to star in Martin Campbell’s crime drama “Edge of Darkness.”

Based on the 1985 BBC series, the movie will follows Gibson as a police officer who tries to solver his daughter’s murder. William Monahan penned the script.

Martin Campbell most recently directed “Casino Royale.” Gibson was last seen on the big screen in “Signs.” 


Soderbergh gears up for next experimental film
Variety reported Tuesday that Steven Soderbergh will direct “The Girlfriend Experience,” a film about prostitution told from the perspective of a call girl.

This is the second low-budget, experimental flick Soderbergh directs. He previously helmed “Bubble,” which he simultaneously released in theaters and on DVD. Apparently he’ll also avoid A-list actors and may consider casting an adult film star for the lead.

Soderbergh most recently directed “Ocean’s Thirteen.” He just completed his double feature on Ernesto “Che” Guevara, “Guerilla” and “The Argentine.”