Midweek film news web roundup: Larry Fessenden to direct 'Orphanage;' 'Machete' cast updates

Here's the latest in film news from across the Web and the trades for August 5, 2009:

• Unfortunately, a remake of Juan Antonio Bayona's awesome "The Orphanage" is heading our way, and now, the project has found its director: Larry Fessenden. Fessenden wrote the screenplay with Guillermo del Toro, who produced the original. Sucks they have to pull this one through the remake machine. (Hollywood Reporter)

• Columbia Pictures will develop "Babe in the Woods," a comedy based on a script written by funny guy Mike White, whose credits include "School of Rock." The story follows a freshman from the Midwest who arrives at Yale and becomes the target of the New Jersey mob. (Variety)

• Maybe you've read quite a few things about Robert Rodriguez's "Machete," and according to a piece on Overnight Productions @ Variety, the cast for the film is pretty much set: Danny Trejo is playing the lead, Robert De Niro, Jessica Alba, Michelle Rodriguez, Steven Seagal and Lindsay Lohan, among others, co-star.

• Latino Review says Rain is apparently set to star in "Awaken the Dragon," a remake of 1973's "Enter the Dragon" with Bruce Lee. This information comes from an anonymous source, so be careful with that at this stage. Rain will next star in "Ninja Assassin."

• Aloe Entertainment is developing "Mary, Mother of Christ," and Diogo Morgado is set to portray Joseph in the flick. Camilla Belle, Al Pacino, Peter O'Toole and Julia Ormond are already part of the cast. James Foley is directing the flick from a script by Barbara Nicolosi and Benedict Fitzgerald. (Hollywood Reporter)