Today's film news: 'Hurt Locker' wins award, James Marsden boards 'I Hop,' 'Apes' reboot a go?

James Marsden gets ready to 'Hop'

James Marsden ("The Box") will join Russell Brand in Tim Hill's upcoming comedy "I Hop," a mix of live-action and CGI about a guy (Marsden) who injures the Easter Bunny (voiced by Brand) and must care for him until he's all fit again. To tell you the truth, I know this one's going to suck big time. (THR)

'Hurt Locker' picks up major award

Kathryn Bigelow's "The Hurt Locker" didn't win at the Globes, but the war drama scored the Darryl F. Zanuck Producer of the Year Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures at the 21st annual PGA Awards this past weekend. Bigelow, Mark Boal, Nicolas Chartier and Greg Shapiro are sharing the prize! (PGA)

'Fourth Kind' director to helm thriller

Olatunde Osunsanmi, who last directed the disappointing "The Fourth Kind," will next helm "The Commuter," a thriller focusing on a man's deadly commute from work in NYC. Byron Willinger and Philip De Blasi wrote the script for the film developed by Gold Circle Films (Variety)

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This and that in film news: Hugh Jackman to star in 'Avon Man;' 'Septimus Heap' coming to big screen

Here are some brief film news you shouldn't miss on July 15, 2009:

• Hugh Jackman is attached to star in 20th Century Fox's "Avon Man," based on a pitch by Kevin Bisch, screenwriter of "Hitch." The story follows a man who's laid off and tries his luck as an Avon salesman. Variety says the project takes on a "Full Monty" vibe.

• David Frankel, director of "Marley & Me," is set to helm "Septimus Heap: Magyk" for Warner Bros. The project is based on the book series by Angie Sage. The story follows two babies - one how is the seventh son of a seventh son and is set to become a wizard, and the other who is destined to become a princess. (THR)

• Pierce Brosnan, Patricia Clarkson and Julianne Moore will star in Stanley Tucci's comedy-drama "The Hunter." Written by Tucci, the film follows a middle-aged man "desperately clinging to the vestiges of his once-charmed life and world." Variety describes it as a coming-of-age story.

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Daily news dose: Bello to star in Sandler comedy; Christian Bale to join 'Prisoners'

Here's your dose of film news for April 7, 2009:

• Universal and Illumination Entertainment are developing "I Hop," a comedy about a slacker who ends up running over the Easter Bunny. With the bunny injured and unable to hop, the slacker is forced to jump in and save Easter. Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio wrote the script. Don't know about you, but this sounds WEIRD to me. (Variety)

• Christian Bale is attached to star alonside Mark Wahlberg in "Prisoners," a thriller written by Aaron Guzikowski. The story follows a man who, after his daughter and her friend are kidnapped, goes nuts and decides to kidnap the man he thinks is responsible. (Risky Biz Blog)

• The charming Maria Bello is in talks to join Columbia's untitled comedy starring Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider, Salma Hayek and David Spade. Written by Sandler and Fred Wolf, the film follows five best friends from high school who decide to reunite on a Fouth of July weekend 30 years later. (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Jennifer Garner is attached to star in "Butter," a comedy about an orphan who discovers she has a talent for butter-carving and decides to compete in a town's butter-sculpting contest. Jason Micallef wrote the original script. Garner will next be seen in "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past." (THR)