Live action ‘Spy vs. Spy’ to be directed by Ron Howard

“Spy vs. Spy,” the long-running comic strip featured in Mad Magazine, is being made into a live action film. Now guess who's taking the job behind the camera?

The project is to be directed by the always-busy Ron Howard, and it will be produced by his Imagine Entertainment partner Brain Grazer and friend David Koepp. 

According to Deadline, Koepp will be keeping tabs on a script to be written by John Kamps. The film will be a visually stunning action comedy about two spies trying to blow each other up for an hour and half.  

Casting alert: Michael Shannon in 'Premium Rush'

Oscar-nominated actor Michael Shannon, who briefly shows up in the disastrous "Jonah Hex," is boarding "Premium Rush," a thriller starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Jamie Chung is also part of the flick.

Written by David Koepp, who is also directing, the film follows a bike messenger who gets chansed by a ruthless cop because he's transporting a mysterious envelope. Shannon would play the cop, of course.

The Hollywood Reporter says Chung would be playing Gordon-Levitt's ex. John Kamps co-wrote the script. Shannon scored an Oscar nomination for his awesome performance in "Revolutionary Road.

Spielberg to develop Crichton's 'Pirate Latitudes'

Exciting news today, as Steven Spielberg will develop the big-screen adaptation of "Pirate Latitudes," the last novel Michael Crichton completed shortly before his death. DreamWorks has acquired the rights to the book, and Spielberg may end up directing the project. I really hope he does.

The Hollywood Reporter says David Koepp, who worked with Spielberg on the adaptation of Crichton's "Jurassic Park" and "The Lost World: Jurassic Park," will write the adaptation. Koepp told the trade Crichton was one of the "most innovative writers of our era."

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David Koepp to direct 'Vinegar,' 'Article II'

David Koepp will be a busy man in the near future.

According to Variety, the filmmaker has signed on to develop two projects for Columbia Pictures.

First, he's set to co-write (with John Kamps) and direct "Billionaire's Vinegar," which is loosely based on the book by Benjamin Wallace.

The trade says the story is "about a scandal that erupted when an auctioned cache of wine purported to have been culled from the stocks of Thomas Jefferson were deemed fakes by some."

Koepp will also adapt Charles McCarry's novel "Shelley's Heart," a political drama about two friends who become rivals for the presidential election. The film's title will be changed to "Article II."

Koepp recently wrote and directed the charming comedy "Ghost Town." He also penned the screenplay for Ron Howard's "Angels & Demons."

Other Koepp credits include "Secret Window" and screenplays for "War of the Worlds," "Panic Room" and "Spider-Man."

Who is Ricky Gervais?

He's the man who created "The Office," and this weekend he's running around town talking to ghosts. Of course I'm talking about Ricky Gervais, who I hope will take on a lot more big-screen lead roles in the near future.

Entertainment Weekly posted an interesting piece on the talented comedian, talking a bit about his life, his career and of course, David Koepp's new comedy "Ghost Town," in which he plays a rude dentist who hates talking to people, dead or alive.

And apparently, Gervais likes the film a lot: ''It's good, it's moving, and I figured if I didn't do this one then I'll never do one. To me, it's perfect. I don't care what it does at the box office."

You're right Ricky. It sure is good and moving. You can find out a lot more about him in this article.

'Ghost Town' web reviews

Ricky Gervais playing a self-centered dentist who can see dead people? It may sound like a crazy idea, but David Koepp's latest comedy "Ghost Town" is a refreshing little film that sure knows how to make audiences laugh (Read my review here). But what about the online critics? Do they agree with me on this one? Let's find out what some of them have to say:

• Cinematical's Eric D. Snider: "Personally I think he's hilarious, and if the film is little more than his attempt to break out of the "cult following" category and find some mainstream American success, more power to him."

• Josh Tyler at Cinema Blend: "The result is a tenderhearted, charming comedy which should at last wake the world up to the immense, raw talent of one Ricky Gervais."

• Brad Brevet at RopeOfSilicon: "The film never sinks too far into the sap, it keeps its comedy edge by only dwindling into the cliché near the end for its moment of personal redemption, but it offers up enough twists and surprises along the way to make any unoriginal moments forgivable."

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Review: "Ghost Town"

Seen on: September 19, 2008

The players: Director: David Koepp, Writers: David Koepp, John Kamps, Cast: Ricky Gervais, Greg Kinnear, Alan Ruck, Téa Leoni, Jeff Hiller

Facts of interest: Koepp also directed "Secret Window" and wrote "Panic Room" and "Spider-Man."

The plot: When a self-centered dentist suddenly dies but returns to life seven minutes later, he starts to see a bunch of dead people who all hit him up for a favor.

Our quick thoughts: Ricky Gervais, the man behind the original “The Office,” is not necessarily the kind of actor you regularly see on the big screen. And that’s a shame, because in David Koepp’s thoroughly adorable comedy “Ghost Town,” he delivers a hilarious performance that lightens up the entire movie and generates plenty of big laughs. The funny Brit definitely fits in, and I can only hope we’ll start to see him in lead roles more often. 

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