Here are some brief film news you shouldn't miss on July 20, 2009:

• The great Morgan Freeman is in negotiations to join Bruce Willis in "Red," a thriller based on the WildStorm/DC Comic for Summit Entertainment. Erich Hoeber and Jon Hoeber are in charge of the script, which follows a retired black-ops CIA agent whose peaceful life takes a turn when an assassin shows up at his door to kill him. (Variety)

• Paco Ahlgren's sci-fi novel "Discipline" will be heading to the big screen, with David Permut and Steve Lee Jones producing the project. The story, according to Variety, follows "a man's psychological battle with an enemy he cannot see." Permut's producing credits include "Youth in Revolt." Jones is wrapping the documentary "Kevorkian."

• All things Michael Jackson are certainly in high demand these days, and the Hollywood Reporter says Sony is pursuing the distribution rights to a flick based on the late artist's recent rehearsal footage by bidding $50 million. Nothing's confirmed at this stage, but studios including Paramount, Universal, 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. recently caught a glimpse at some of the footage.

• "Iron Chef" star Mario Batali has joined Joe Maggio's upcoming comic thriller "Bitter Feast," about a New York chef seeking revenge against a ruthless food critic. The Hollywood Reporter says Batali will play a restaurant owner. The film is currently shooting in New York.

• Rand Ravich is all set to write a script based on the famous television series "Twilight Zone," which Warner Bros. and Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way will develop. "Zone" kicked off in 1959 on CBS. Ravichs credits include "Life" and "The Astronaut's Wife." (Variety)