Here's your dose of quick news bits for Dec. 17, 2008...

• Anna Friel stars in and Jesse Eisenberg is in talks to join "The Wedding," about a young man who crashes the wedding of the woman he deeply admires. Max Winkler is writing the script, while Jason Reitman serves as executive producer on the film. (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Scott Charles Stewart is all set to helm "Priest," a horror Western produced by Michael De Luca, among others. Adapted from a comic book, the flick centers on a tough priest who turns his back on the church to free his niece from the hands of a bunch of ruthless vampires. (THR)

• Jannik Johansen's 2005 Danish thriller Mørke is getting the remake treatment, with Marcel Sarmiento and Gadi Harel in talks to write and direct. The original follows a journalist who investigates his sister's unusual death on her weeding night. Sarmiento and Harel also helmed "Deadgirl." (THR)

• And before I wrap this up, the Director's Guild of America will give the great Roger Ebert its Honorary Life Member Award Jan. 31, 2009 at the DGA awards. Whatever this man receives, he certainly deserves it. Thanks for all the words you type Roger! (DGA)

Anna Kendrick is set to star opposite George Clooney in Jason Reitman's upcoming adaptation of Walter Kirn’s novel “Up in the Air.”

In the film, Clooney plays a counselor who helps large companies fire their executives. He spends most of his time flying and tries his best to collect one million frequent-flyer miles.

The Hollywood Reporter says Kendrick will play the female lead, who gets somehow involved with Clooney's character.

Kendrick is currently onscreen as Jessica Stanley in "Twilight." Her credits include "Rocket Science," as well as the upcoming projects "The Marc Pease Experience" and "Elsewhere."

As for Reitman, he directed "Thank You For Smoking" and "Juno."

George Clooney is currently in negotiations to star in Jason Reitman’s big-screen version of Walter Kirn’s novel “Up in the Air,” according to Variety.  

The story focuses on a counselor (Clooney) who helps large companies fire their executives. He spends most of his time flying and tries his best to collect one million frequent-flyer miles.

Retiman has been working on the adaptation of the novel for quite some time, but he put the project on hold to direct “Juno.” Apparently he finished the script two weeks ago and recently showed it to Clooney.

Reitman’s directing credits also include the brilliant “Thank You For Smoking.” His indie hit “Juno” earned four Oscar nominations and won best screenplay written directly for the screen (for Diablo Cody).

Clooney will next star in Ethan and Joel Coen’s crime comedy “Burn After Reading.” He’s also working on the voice-over of the lead character in Wes Anderson’s upcoming animated film “The Fantastic Mr. Fox.”

I haven’t read Kirn’s book, but the story sounds pretty interesting. How about you? Have you read it? Is it worth the investment? Let me know by sharing your thoughts below!