Talented Cecile de France joins Eastwood drama

Belgian star actress Cécile de France has officially boarded Clint Eastwood's upcoming supernatural thriller "Hereafter," which is currently shooting. Matt Damon is also on board.

Peter Morgan wrote the script, which follows three people touched by death in different ways. Variety says De France is set to play a French journalist having a near-death experience.

"Hereafter" is set for release December 2010. Parts of the film will apparently be shot in San Francisco, which is reason enough for me to keep my eyes wide open everywhere I go in the city.

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Could Michael Sheen play Blofeld in 'Bond 23'?

This is just a rumor at this point, but according to The Guardian, Michael Sheen is apparently in early talks to play Ernst Stavro Blofeld in the upcoming James Bond feature.

Considering the project is only at the earliest developmental stages, and we just learned Peter Morgan would team up with scribes Neal Purvis and Robert Wade to write the script for "Bond 23," I find it hard to believe they are already looking for actors to fill unconfirmed roles.

But who knows... Blofeld could indeed return to the big screen. The villain already appeared in six official Bond flicks, including "Form Russia With Love," "Thunderball," "You Only Live Twice," "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," "Diamonds are Forever" and "For Your Eyes Only."

Indeed, there is also a connection between Morgan and Sheen. After all, Morgan wrote "The Queen" and "Frost/Nixon," two films Sheen starred in.

Anyway, it's certainly an interesting idea. We'll find out soon enough whether this is true or just another silly rumor. Stay tuned.

Daily news dose: Christine Jeffs to helm 'Tonight;' Bond 23 gets screenwriters

Here's your dose of film news for June 15, 2009:

• Christine Jeffs, who most recently directed "Sunshine Cleaning," is set to helm Castle Rock's upcoming "Wonderful Tonight." J. Mills Goodloe wrote the script, which centers on a bachelor and a woman whose lives change when she gets pegnant after a one-night stand. (Variety)

• Peter Morgan (pictured), whose credits include "The Queen" and "Frost/Nixon," will join regular Bond screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade for the script of Bond 23. Purvis and Wade also worked on the scripts for "Casino Royale" and "Quantum of Solace." No word yet on when the latest Bond will hit theaters, but my guess is November 2011. (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Skyler Samuels is the latest to join Brendan Fraser in Roger Kumble's upcoming family film "Furry Vengeance," a comedy about a developer who's forced to battle local wildlife while building a new housing subdivision in the Oregon wilderness. Samuels previously appeared on "Wizards of Waverly Place." (THR)

• RIA Novosti recently talked to Timur Bekmabetov, and the director told the news Web site that work on "Wanted 2" will begin shortly, with prep kicking off this summer and shooting tentatively set for this fall or winter. Oh, and apparently, Angelina Jolie's character will return for the sequel as well. Huh? (via ComingSoon)

Peter Morgan preps Tony Blair film

Peter Morgan is currently developing the third film in is Tony Blair trilogy, which kicked off with "The Deal" in 2003 and continued with 2006's stunning drama "The Queen."

According to Variety, Morgan is set to write and direct the movie, which is currently titled "The Special Relationship." The plot will mainly focus on the close relationship between former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Bill Clinton.

Michael Sheen, who played Blair in the two previous films, will also return to reprise his role. It will be interesting to see who'll end up playing Clinton.

Morgan delivered quite a few powerful scripts over the past years. Besides writing "The Last King of Scotland," his credits also include "Frost/Nixon."

He also worked on the screenplay for Kevin Macdonald's upcoming thriller "State of Play" and wrote "The Damned United," which stars Sheen as British soccer coach Brian Clough.

Eastwood to go supernatural with 'Hereafter'

Clint Eastwood is in negotiations to direct "Hereafter," a supernatural thriller for DreamWorks, according to Variety.

Nothing at all is known about the plot at this point, although the trade says the film is described as in the vein of "The Sixth Sense."

Peter Morgan, whose credits include "The Queen" and "Frost/Nixon," wrote the script.

"Hereafter" would mark the first time Eastwood direct a film of the supernatural genre (I don't think "Space Cowboys" really qualfies as supernatural).

Eastwood most recently helmed "Changeling." His next project, "Gran Torino," opens in limited release Dec. 17, 2008.

Watch the captivating 'Frost/Nixon' trailer

Universal recently released this highly engaging trailer for Ron Howard's upcoming drama "Frost/Nixon," which chronicles the post-Watergate confrontations between Richard Nixon (played by Frank Langella) and British television presenter David Frost (Michael Sheen). Peter Morgan ("The Queen") wrote the screenplay based on his own play. Kevin Bacon, Sam Rockwell and Oliver Platt co-star.

In case you didn't immediately recognize him as Frost, Sheen also delivered the captivating performance as Tony Blair in Stephen Frears' "The Queen." Enjoy the trailer above. It really looks like an interesting project with a bunch of solid acting. We'll see when the flick opens in limited release Dec. 5, 2008.