Production set to start on 'Jane Eyre' next week

Focus Features and BBC Films will kick off production on Cary Fukunaga's ucoming feature "Jane Eyre," based on Charlotte Brontë’s classic novel. Mia Wasikowska ("Alice in Wonderland") and Michael Fassbender ("Inglourious Basterds") will star in the romantic drama. Moira Buffini penned the screenplay, and Jamie Bell, Judi Dench, Holliday Grainger, Sally Hawkins and Tamzin Merchant co-star.

From the press release: In the story, Jane Eyre (Wasikowska), flees Thornfield House, where she works as a governess for wealthy Edward Rochester (Fassbender). The isolated and imposing residence and Mr. Rochester’s coldness have sorely tested the young woman’s resilience, forged years earlier when she was orphaned. As Jane reflects upon her past and recovers her natural curiosity, she will return to Mr. Rochester – and the terrible secret that he is hiding…

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The 'Babies' are coming in new trailer!

They are coming! They are coming! The babies are invading the big screen! A first trailer for Thomas Balmes' upcoming documentary "Babies" (formerly "Baby(ies)") has hit the Web, and you can see it below.

The Focus Features release simultaneously follows four babies around the world – from birth to first steps: Ponijao from Namibia, Bayarjargal from Mongolia, Mari from Tokyo and Hattie from San Francisco.

Based on an original idea by Alain Chabat, the film joyfully captures on film the earliest stages of the journey of humanity that are at once unique and universal to us all. At least that's what Focus says about it.

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Focus Features announces 2010 slate

Focus Features CEO James Schamus recently announced the studio's release slate for 2010, and right now, he confirmed the releases of six new films, including "Greenberg," "Babies" and "Somewhere."

“Next year’s Focus slate follows one of the company’s best years ever – our eighth profitable year in a row since our inception, and the year in which we passed the $1 billion mark in cumulative domestic box office alone," Schamus stated in a press release.

He said, “Our 2010 lineup is as audacious as any in our history, ranging from American indies like Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck’s 'It’s Kind of a Funny Story' to big international productions like Anton Corbijn’s 'The American'.”

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'9' tops Wednesday box office with $3M

Shane Acker's animated adventure "9" delivered a solid start at the North American box office Wednesday with a decent estimated gross of $3.1 million from ticket sales at only 1,653 locations.

Released by Focus Features, "9" is set in a post-apocalyptic world in which humanity has lost a fierce battle against an army of machines. It's up to a group of puppet-like “stitchpunk” beings to survive in dangerous conditions.

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Daily news dose: Charles Gibson to direct 'Goblin;' Alain Chabat attached to star in 'Dubber'

Here is your dose of film news for June 22, 2009:

• Oscar winner Charles Gibson, who worked as visual effects artist on films such as "Terminator Salvation" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," will make his directorial debut with "The Goblin," a comedy about a family who encounters a goblin in their new home. Geoff Rodkey wrote the script. (Variety)

• Universal will develop a comedy based on a pitch by Stacey Harman. The plot will center on a group of women who do anything but work on a corporate trip. Harman also wrote "Shared Fare," which DreamWorks is developing with Brian Robbins. (Variety)

• Focus Features is gearing up to develop "The Dubber," a comedy French actor Alain Chabat (pictured) is attached to star in. Mark and Jay Duplass wrote the most recent script (earlier writers include David Gilcreast, Jay Chandrasekhar, Richard Raddon and Marina Zenovich), about a man who ends up doing more than providing the French dubbing voice for a Hollywood star. (Variety)

• Cher is joining Christina Aguilera in Steven Antin's "Burlesque," a musical that follows a small-town girl who finds love and success in a Los Angeles neo-burlesque club. Cher is set to play the club's owner, who struggles to keep her business open. Cher last starred in "Tea with Mussolini" (she briefly appeared in "Stuck on You). (Variety)

'Tell No One' remake set at Miramax

No, I still haven't seen Guillaume Canet's French thriller "Ne le dis à personne" (Tell No One), but I've heard great things about it, and I'll definitely try to watch it some time this summer. The film was a success in France and even delivered a solid box office run in the U.S., and according to Variety, Miramax and Focus Features are planning to develop an English language remake.

Apparently, the studios are eyeing a production start date of spring 2010. No director or cast is currently attached. Based on the novel by Harlan Coben, the French thriller followed a pediatrician who's spent several years grieving the death of his wife when he suddenly discovers she may still be alive. François Cluzet, Marie-Josée Croze, André Dussollier, Kristin Scott Thomas and François Berléand starred.

From what I've heard, "Tell No One" is a complex thriller with plenty of intriguing twists, and even though I still have to check it out, I somehow hope the Hollywood version won't alter the story line too much to make it more accessible to a larger audience. Knowing Hollywood, that's exactly what's going to happen, but then again, we do always have the original, right. Okay, now I really have to see this one.

Daily news dose: Focus Features sets release dates; Claude Berri dead at 74

Here's your dose of quick news bits for Jan. 12, 2009...

• Focus Features today announced a bunch of release dates for some of their 2009 films. For starters, Rob Marshall's musical "Nine" will open Nov. 25. Joel and Ethan Coen's "A Serious Man" will open in limited release Oct. 2, while Mikael Håfström's John Cusack vehicle "Shanghai" is set for Sept. 4. Sam Mendes' comedy "Away We Go" will start June 5.

• Legendary French filmmaker Claude Berri died Monday in Paris. He was 74. Some of Berri's notable directing efforts include "Germinal," "Jean de Florette" and "Lucie Aubrac." He also established a fabulous career as producer, developing successful films such as "Welcome to the Sticks" and "The Secret of the Grain." He will be greatly missed. (The Hollywood Reporter)

• The folks at Bloody-Disgusting today landed some "Scream 4" news. Although none of this has been confirmed yet, Kevin Williamson is apparently on board to write a draft. Also, Wes Craven may return to helm the fourth film in the series, which will be a younger version. Finally, rumor is David Arquette, Courtney Cox and Neve Campbell may be offered cameos in the sequel.

• Kristin Scott Thomas and Anne-Marie Duff have signed on to star in Sam Taylor-Wood's "Nowhere Boy," a film about John Lennon's early years. Aaron Johnson stars as Lennon, while Thomas playshis Aunt Mimi. Duff is on board as his mother. Matt Greenhalgh wrote the script. (Variety)