Last year, New Line Cinema acquired the rights to adapt Off Broadway's musical show "Rock of Ages," and now, Adam Shankman has signed on to direct and choreograph the project, set for release in 2011.

Chris D'Arienzo, who created the musical, wrote the adaptation and was originally set to direct. The show boasts '80s rock classics from Twisted Sister, Joan Jett, Pat Benatar, Foreigner, Bon Jovi and others.

The story of "Rock of Ages" follows a man and a woman who fall in love at a rock club but later break apart because of the extravagance of the rock lifestyle.

Shankman is obviously no stranger to musicals, having helmed New Line's "Hairspray." He will be back to direct the sequel, and his upcoming projects also include "Playing for Pizza" and a "Sinbad" musical.

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Nick Cassavetes has had enough, and it seems his collaboration with New Line Cinema is now coming to an end. The filmmaker has decided to sue the studio over the upcoming "Peaceable Kingdom," which is based on the life and career of Dame Daphne Sheldrick, an animal conservationist.

The Hollywood Reporter says trouble started when Cassavetes was promised to direct the film but ended up being fired instead. Jeff Stockwell wrote a draft of the script, which Cassavetes was apparently asked to rewrite. When he turned in his new version, New Line supposedly kicked him out.

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That last year's big-screen version of "Sex and the City" would receive a sequel is not news, but what is new is that New Line Cinema has officially set a release date for "Sex and the City 2."

According to Variety, New Line will release the follow-up May 28, 2010. The first film opened around the same slot, May 30, 2008. Michael Patrick King will return to write and direct the project.

Also back in action are lead actresses Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon. Considering everything she's been through already, I really wonder what adventure they'll have Carrie embark on next...

"Sex and the City" proved to be a box office success last summer. The film grossed $152.6 million domestically and pulled in $412 million worldwide. How about that...

Nick Cassavetes, helmer of the acclaimed romantic drama "The Notebook," is set to direct New Line Cinema's upcoming drama "Peaceable Kingdom."

According to Variety, the film is based on the life and career of Dame Daphne Sheldrick, an animal conservationist in Kenya who spent most of her life fighting against elephant extinction.

Jeff Stockwell, the guy behind the decent "Bridge to Terabithia," wrote the script. Producer Cathy Schulman told Variety she hopes "Kingdom" will be a "four-quadrant family film."

Cassavetes' directing credits also include "John Q," a thriller I mildly enjoyed. He also helmed "Alpha Dog," a rather intriguing drama based on the life of Jesse James Hollywood. The filmmaker most recently finished "My Sister's Keeper," due in theaters June 26, 2009.

For more information about Dame Daphne Sheldrick, check out this Web site.

The Mac is coming to the big screen!

New Line Cinema is currently developing a big-screen version of television's popular "MacGyver" series, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

The original show's creator Lee David Zlotoff is on board to co-produce the project, which at this time as no writer attached.

"MacGyver" ran from 1985-1992 and starred Richard Dean Anderson as the titular character, a skilled secret agent who used crazy tricks to escape perilous situations.

New Line is obviously very excited about this project and already talks about the potential of establishing a brand-new franchise.

Anderson's TV credits also include "Stargate: Atlantis" and "Stargate SG-1." It will be interesting to see who's going to end up scoring the role in this big-screen resurrection.