Here is your dose of film news for June 10, 2009:

• James Franco has signed on to star in Jay Anania's indie drama "In Praise of Shadows," in which the actor will play William Vincent, who journeys back to New York after spending some years in exile to keep the woman of his dreams out of the world of organized crime. (Variety)

• It's official: Rob Cohen will not reteam with Vin Diesel for the upcoming action sequel "XXX: The Return of Xander Cage." According to Variety, the director will helm New Regency's "Medieval" instead. No details about the script are released at this stage, but the trade says it's an action flick about "warriors from disparate cultures."

• Jonathan Goldstein ("The New Adventures of Old Christine") and John Francis Daley will write "Cal of the Wild" for DreamWorks. The comedy will make fun of the reality TV genre, including shows such as "Survivor." Vartiety says the project focuses on a cable TV star who is forced to battle for survival with his assistant when he's put in an unexpected, dangerous situation.

• Busy producer Frank Marshall ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") will enter the world of directing, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Marshall will helm "Right to Play," an ESPN Films documentary about Johann Olav Koss, a Norwegian speed-skating champ who launched the Right to Play organization, which tries to bring sports to kids in poor environments.