New York Film Critics Circle Awards 2011

The New York Film Critics Circle today announced its 2011 via Twitter, and Michel Hazanavicius's critically acclaimed film "The Artist" took home the prize for best picture. Emmanuel Lubezki won best cinematography for Terrence Malick's "The Tree of Life."

Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin can share the award for best screenplay for "Moneyball." Brad Pit was named best actor for his performances in "Moneyball" and "The Tree of Life". The NYFCC selected Michel Hazanavicius of "The Artist" for best director.

Meryl Streep won best actress for her role as Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady." Jessica Chastain took home best supporting actress for three films: "The Tree of Life," "The Help" and "Take Shelter." Albert Brooks was named best supporting actor for "Drive."

"Margin Call" was voted best first film, and Werner Herzog's "Cave of Forgotten Dreams" won best non-fiction film. "A Separation" took the award for best foreign film. The NYFCC did their best to race to the polls and be the first to announce their 2011 winners.

Trailer for Brad Pitt's 'Moneyball'

In case you've been waiting impatiently for this one, the first trailer for "Moneyball" with Brad Pitt is now online, and you can check it out after the jump. The film is based on the book by Michael Lewis, and a release date is planned for Sept. 23, 2011.

The film tells the story of Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane's successful attempt to put together a baseball club on a budget by employing computer-generated analysis to draft his players. Jonah Hill and Philip Seymour Hoffman co-star.

"Moneyball" almost didn't happen, but Aaron Sorkin was brought in to rewrite Steven Zaillian's script. Steven Soderbergh was attached to the project as well, but he was replaced by Bennett Miller, director of "Capote." Anyway, looks good...

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So what's up with Brad Pitt's 'Moneyball'?

Just a couple of weeks ago we learned Columbia pulled the plug on Steven Soderbergh's sports drama "Moneyball" and put it into turnaround, but according to new reports, the studio is still on board.

So what's actually going on with this thing? Will we ever get to see it? According to Variety, yes, we will, but not from Soderbergh, whose rewrite of Steven Zaillian's script failed to impress studio head Amy Pascal.

Pascal's move to halt the project after disliking Soderbergh's vision came as an unexpected move, particularly because the film was all ready to shoot with Brad Pitt in the lead. Despite Soderbergh's exit, Pitt is apparently still attached.

Aaron Sorkin ("Charlie Wilson's War") has now been brought on-board to rewrite the script. The film is based on Michael Lewis' book "Moneyball: The Art of Winning An Unfair Game."

The central story follows Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland Athletics, who used sophisticated computer analysis system to piece together a team that regularly contended for the World Series.

Columbia abandons Soderbergh's 'Moneyball'?

Some of Steven Soderbergh's movies have made a lot of money and received great critical praise, but that's not enough for Columbia Pictures to fully trust him with some of his projects.

Indeed, Columbia has pulled the plug on Soderbergh's upcoming sports drama "Moneyball," the big-screen adaptation of Michael Lewis' book "Moneyball: The Art of Winning An Unfair Game."

Variety reports Columbia's chairwoman Amy Pascal put the project into turnaround after she read Soderbergh's rewrite of Steven Zaillian's script. Well, she didn't like it, and she's no longer ready to invest into the project anymore.

This comes as quite an unexpected move, especially because Soderbergh and Pitt were gearing up for the shoot already. At this stage, it's not sure who will stay on-board or what will happen to "Moneyball."

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Daily news dose: Columbia readies 'Symbol;' Demetri Martin boards Soderbergh's 'Moneyball'

Here's your dose of film news for April 21, 2009:

• Ron Howard's "Anges & Demons" won't open until May 15, 2009, but Columbia has already announced it will develop "The Lost Symbol," Dan Brown's third novel in the series that started with "The Da Vinci Code." The book will be published Sept. 15. (Variety)

• Demetri Martin, who co-wrote many episodes for "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," will star alongside Brad Pitt in Steven Soderbergh's "Moneyball," a film about Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland Athletics. Martin is set to play Paul De Podesta, "a Harvard grad who turned down Wall Street jobs to use his statistical skills to change baseball scouting tactics." (Variety)

• Jamie Chung and Jena Malone are the latest to join Zack Snyder's upcoming "Sucker Punch." Emily Browning, Vanessa Hudgens and Abbie Cornish co-star. Amanda Seyfried, Evan Rachel Wood and Emma Stone were also in talks to star in the film, but they recently dropped out. (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Marlon Wayans will star in and produce Paramount's upcoming comedy "The Year of Living Biblically," based on A.J. Jacobs' nonfiction book. The story follows Jacobs as he tried to live a year by the rules of the Old and New Testaments. Julian Farino is in talks to direct a script by Jay Reiss. (THR)

Soderbergh, Pitt gear up for 'Moneyball'

Steven Soderbergh has decided to push back his "Cleo" musical until next year, making room for another project he's currently eyeing.

According to Variety, Soderbergh is in talks to helm "Moneyball," the big-screen adaptation of Michael Lewis' book "Moneyball: The Art of Winning An Unfair Game."

Here's the trade's description:

"The book focuses on Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland Athletics, as he used sophisticated computer analysis system to piece together a team that regularly contended for the World Series despite possessing a payroll dramatically lower than big-market rivals like the New York Yankees."

Steven Zaillian, whose credits include "American Gangster," "The Interpreter" and "Gangs of New York," will write the adaptation. 

Although Soderbergh hasn't officially signed on, Brad Pitt is already on board to star in the film. Pitt previously worked with Soderbergh on "Ocean's Eleven" and its sequels.

Recently, Soderbergh directed "Che" and "The Girlfriend Experience." He's also wrapping up "The Informant" with Matt Damon. His Cleopatra rock musical is currently on hold and will likely be his project after "Moneyball."

I admit I pretty much enjoyed every film the director's made so far, and I'm eager to find out what he does with this sports flick. Casting Pitt is already a great first step.