Daily news dose: Bello to star in Sandler comedy; Christian Bale to join 'Prisoners'

Here's your dose of film news for April 7, 2009:

• Universal and Illumination Entertainment are developing "I Hop," a comedy about a slacker who ends up running over the Easter Bunny. With the bunny injured and unable to hop, the slacker is forced to jump in and save Easter. Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio wrote the script. Don't know about you, but this sounds WEIRD to me. (Variety)

• Christian Bale is attached to star alonside Mark Wahlberg in "Prisoners," a thriller written by Aaron Guzikowski. The story follows a man who, after his daughter and her friend are kidnapped, goes nuts and decides to kidnap the man he thinks is responsible. (Risky Biz Blog)

• The charming Maria Bello is in talks to join Columbia's untitled comedy starring Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider, Salma Hayek and David Spade. Written by Sandler and Fred Wolf, the film follows five best friends from high school who decide to reunite on a Fouth of July weekend 30 years later. (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Jennifer Garner is attached to star in "Butter," a comedy about an orphan who discovers she has a talent for butter-carving and decides to compete in a town's butter-sculpting contest. Jason Micallef wrote the original script. Garner will next be seen in "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past." (THR)