Daily news dose: David Carradine found dead; Madeline Carroll to star in 'Flipped'

Here's your dose of film news for June 4, 2009:

• David Carradine, star of "Kung Fu," "Kill Bill" and most recently "Crank: High Voltage," was found dead in a hotel room in Bangkok, Thailand, according to multiple news sources. He was 72. Police said the actor was hanging in a closet, but his room showed no evidence of forced entry. The investigation is ongoing. Carradine was nominated for four Golden Globes.

• Madeline Carroll, the youngster from "Swing Vote," is set to star in Rob Reiner's upcoming comedy "Flipped," according to Variety. Based on the novel by Wendelin Van Draanen, the film centers on the rather complicated feelings between a boy and a girl who finally share a kiss when enter their teenage years in the 1960s. Aidan Quinn, Penelope Ann Miller and John Mahoney co-star.

• Lance Gross, whose credits include "House of Payne" and "Meet the Browns," will join America Ferrera, Forest Whitaker and Carlos Mencia in Rick Famuyiwa's upcoming untitled comedy for Fox Searchlight. The film centers on two families clashing while they try to put together a wedding in no time. (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Mary-Kate Olsen and Alex Pettyfer will star alongside Vanessa Hudgens in CBS Films' "Beastly," a reimagining of "Beauty and the Beast." Daniel Barnz, the guy behind "Phoebe in Wonderland," wrote the script and will direct the project. Olsen plays a character who puts a curse on a handsome young man (Pettyfer). (Variety)

Rob Reiner in talks to direct ‘Book of Shadows’

Castle Rock has acquired Zoe Green’s action-adventure pitch entitled “Book of Shadows,” with Rob Reiner attached to direct.

The Hollywood Reporter says the plot centers on a man who encounters the challenges of first love and maturity on his quest to close a book that could restore balance to the world.

Reiner apparently came up with the original idea, while Green picked up on the project and developed it further.

Reiner most recently directed “The Bucket List.” His credits also include “When Harry Met Sally” and “A Few Good Men.”

Final word: This premise just sounds incredibly odd. Don’t know at all what to make out of this at this stage.