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."

Click to read more ...

Bruce Joel Rubin, who won an Oscar for his "Ghost" script, is set to write the remake of Akihiko Shiota's recent Japanese hit fantasy film "Yomigaeri" (Resurrection) for DreamWorks.

The original film focused on a town in which people who've been dead for a long time suddenly come back to life and return to their loved ones and normal lives. No, no zombie action in this one (although you never know what Hollywood will be ending up doing to the idea).

Click to read more ...

There's been a lot of talks recently about what project Steven Spielberg would direct next, but now we've got an answer to that question: "Harvey" for 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks.

The film will be an adaptation of Mary Chase's 1944 play, which centered on the adventures of an eccentric man and his unusual friendship with an invisible rabbit.

Jonathan Tropper wrote the screenplay, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Pre-prod. is apparently starting right now, with filming kicking off early next year.

This is not the first time "Harvey" found its way to the big screen, as Henry Koster directed an adaptation starring James Stewart and Josephine Hull in 1950 (see picture above).

Click to read more ...

Len Wiseman is set to direct DreamWorks' bigscreen adaptation of the sci-fi comic book series "Atlantis Rising," according to Variety.

Created by Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, the books focuses on an evil underground civilization that emerges from under the ocean to engage in a war with the rest of the world.

Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, writers of "Star Trek" and the "Transformers" flicks, are on board to produce for DreamWorks.

Wiseman's credits include "Underworld," "Underworld: Evolution" and "Live Free or Die Hard." He also recently signed on to direct DreamWorks' upcoming thriller "Motorcade."

This is starting to piss me off. Sure, I can wait for a movie to hit theaters without going insane, but what I can't stand is the constant delay of release dates for reasons only studios think are important.

Variety today reported Paramount and DreamWorks have agreed to push back the release of Joe Wright's drama "The Soloist" yet again, this time to April 24, 2009.

The film was supposed to open this week, but last month, Paramount moved it to March 13. Back then, Paramount's Rob Moore said they would give the flick an aggressive release.

As the trade reports, the new April date is one week before the official beginning of the summer movie season. Now I'm wondering... is someone out there getting cold feet? Hmmm...

Anyway, people looking forward to the film have to wait a little longer now. If this is the first time you read about "The Soloist," it stars Robert Downey Jr. as a man who accidentally runs into a homeless musical genius (Jamie Foxx) from Skid Row.

Filmmaker Len Wiseman is in talks to direct DreamWorks' upcoming thriller "Motorcade," according to Variety.

Originally written by Hans Bauer and Craig Mitchell, the story centers on terrorists attacking the president's motorcade in Los Angeles.

The trade says Billy Ray, director of "Breach," is rewriting the screenplay. Wiseman most recently directed "Live Free or Die Hard." He also helmed the first two "Underworld" flicks.

Final word: Considering the United States has just elected a new president, I'm glad this project is only in early developmental stages instead of being ready for a theatrical release.