Barry Levinson to direct 'Brother Jack'

Barry Levinson is in final negotiations to direct "Brother Jack," a film focusing on human rights activist Jack Healey. Harley Peyton penned the script, which Kelly Masterson is rewriting, according to THR.

Healey has made a life out of facing issues regaring human rights, and he currently heads the Human Rights Action Center in Washington, D.C. Back in the days, he used to be a Catholic priest.

Levinson recently directed television's "You Don't Know Jack." Other credits of his include "What Just Happened," "Wag the Dog," "Rain Man," "Bandits," "Liberty Heights" and "Man of the Year."

Daily news dose: Phillip Noyce to direct 'Mixed Blood;' Jason Sudeikis joins 'Bounty Hunter'

Here's your dose of film news for June 17, 2009:

• Phillip Noyce is set to direct "Mixed Blood," a police thriller following a fugitive who's forced to make terrifying decisions in order to protect his family. Kelly Masterson ("Before the Devil Knows You're Dead") is writing the screenplay based on Roger Smith's novel. Samuel L. Jackson is also attached to star in the project. Noyce is currently shooting "Salt." (Variety)

• SNL's Jason Sudeikis has joined Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler in Columbia's comedy "Bounty Hunter." Butler plays a bounty hunter hired to find and bring in his ex-wife (Aniston) because she skipped bail. Sudeikis plays one of the woman's friends. Andy Tennant is directing Sarah Thorp's script. Sudeikis recently starred in "The Rocker." (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Neil Burger is apparently in talks to write and direct a remake of 1935's "Bride of Frankenstein," according to Risky Biz Blog. The original continued the adventures of Frankenstein's monster. Burger's recent credits include "The Lucky Ones" and "The Illusionist." Brian Grazer is onboard to produce the project.

• Josh Peck ("The Wackness") and Adrianne Palicki have joined the cast of Dan Bradley's upcoming "Red Dawn" remake. In the film, a group of teenagers gather to defend their town after it's invaded by Chinese and Russian soldiers. A release date for "Dawn" is set for Sept. 24, 2010. Carl Ellsworth and Jeremy Passmore wrote the script. (THR)