'24' feature film will happen, but when?

Twentieth Century Fox will bring Jack Bauer and "24" to the big screen for sure, but nobody really has an idea about when this is going to happen. In fact, there is a chance we may wait for it for a long time.

Variety confirmed Billy Ray would write the script for the feature version of the successful action TV series. Ray also wrote and helmed "Shattered Glass" and "Breach," and he wrote "State of Play" as well.

Ray pitched his idea to Fox, the trade says, and they loved it. His idea would take Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) to Europe. Sutherland as well is supposedly happy about this project moving along.

The only problem is time and the fate of the TV show, which is undecided at this point. If it heads into a new season, it will be tough to shoot a feature at the same time. Hence, production may be delayed for a while.

Also, sources say the project is at very early developmental stages, which could further push back any filming start. That said, I sincerely believe a "24" flick would perform very well around the world.

That's exactly why Fox want to do it, right?

Billy Ray to write Columbia's real-life pirate tale

Columbia is prepping a big-screen adventure based on the true story of captain Richard Phillips' capture by four Somali pirates earlier this year, and Billy Ray is pretty much set to write the script. Cool!

I say cool because I dig Ray's work. I really enjoyed his last directorial effort "Breach," and I enjoyed "State of Play" and "Flightplan," which he worked on as a screenwriter. He's now rewriting "Motorcade."

Click to read more ...

'24' guy Jon Cassar to direct 'Motorcade'

I already completely forgot about DreamWorks' action flick "Motorcade," but it looks like the project is still alive and on its way to the next developmental stage, and that with a new director on board.

Variety says Jon Cassar, who helmed and produced a whole bunch of "24" episodes, has been set to direct "Motorcade," a film Len Wiseman was attached to helm for a while. Tom Cruise was attached to star.

Cassar and DreamWorks will try to make this film happen later next year, and the trade also says the studio is eyeing Ryan Reynolds for the lead role. No deal has been set up yet at this stage.

Click to read more ...

Daily news dose: Billy Ray to adapt 'Conjure Wife,' Gordon joins Gainsbourg biopic

Here's your dose of quick news bits for Dec. 18, 2008...

• Billy Ray is set to direct the big-screen adaptation of Fritz Leiber Jr.'s horror fantasy novel "Conjure Wife," about a college professor who finds out his good fortune is the result of his wife's magical powers. This marks the fourth time the book has been adapted to the screen. (THR)

• Lucy Gordon is the latest to board Joann Sfar's French movie about the life and fame of poet, songwriter and singer Serge Gainsbourg. Also starring are Eric Elmosnino, Laetitia Casta and Mylene Jampanoi. Gordon's credits include "Spider-Man 3" and "Serendipity. (THR)

• Maggie Q has officialy boarded "King of Fighters," a live-action adaptation of the Japanese video game. Directed by Gordon Chan and starring Sean Faris, Ray Park and Will Yun Lee, the film follows a young man who competes in a fighting tournament. Q will next be seen in "New York, I Love You." (Variety)

• Ari Folman, who recently directed "Waltz With Bashir," is gearing up to develop the big-screen adaptation of sci-fi author Stanislaw Lem's short story "The Futurological Congress." He plans to combine live-action with animation. (THR)

Fox Searchlight ready to ‘Rig an Election’

Billy Ray is set to direct “How to Rig an Election,” a project he wrote and sold to Fox Searchlight, according to Variety.

The trade says the flick traces GOP operative Allen Raymond’s downfall following a campaign to jam phone lines at Democratic Party headquarters in an effort to swing a 2002 Senate election in New Hampshire.

Fox also acquired Raymond’s memoir “How to Rig an Election: Confessions of a Republican Operative,” hoping to start production on the film next year.

Variety offers more details about Raymond’s tricks: “Raymond enlisted a telemarketer vendor to dump so many automated calls into phone banks at Democratic HQ that outgoing calls were impossible.”

Ray most recently wrote and directed “Breach.” He made his directorial debut in 2003 with “Shattered Glass.”