Casting deals: Chris Hemsworth, John Cusack

Chris Hemsworth, the star of Marvel's "Thor," is quickly becoming one busy actor. Not only will he be back for "Thor 2," but he will also most likely star in "Rush," Peter Morgan's British Formula One flick about driver James Hunt and his clashes with Niki Lauda. Ron Howard is attached to direct, according to Deadline.

In other casting news, John Cusack will star in Lee Daniels' "The Paperboy." He joins Zac Efron, while Nicole Kidman and Matthew McConaughey in the indie drama focusing on a death row inmate convicted of killing a cop. Daniels also directed "Precious." Cusack soon stars in "The Raven." (Variety)

Moving on, Chace Crawford has been cast in the film adaptation of the worldwide bestselling book "What To Expect When You’re Expecting," which Kirk Jones si directing. He joins Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Brooklyn Decker, Elizabeth Banks, Anna Kendrick and Rob Huebel. The film shoots this summer.

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Live action ‘Spy vs. Spy’ to be directed by Ron Howard

“Spy vs. Spy,” the long-running comic strip featured in Mad Magazine, is being made into a live action film. Now guess who's taking the job behind the camera?

The project is to be directed by the always-busy Ron Howard, and it will be produced by his Imagine Entertainment partner Brain Grazer and friend David Koepp. 

According to Deadline, Koepp will be keeping tabs on a script to be written by John Kamps. The film will be a visually stunning action comedy about two spies trying to blow each other up for an hour and half.  

Trailer for Ron Howard's 'The Dilemma'

The trailer for Ron Howard's upcoming comedy "The Dilemma" has landed online, and you can check it via the embed below. It definitely doesn't look like andy of the recent stuff the filmmaker has done.

That said, I'm interested to find out more. I'm always wary of big-screen comedies starring Kevin James, but with Howard at the helm, this simply can't be as bad as something like that "Chuck & Larry" crap.The

film stars Vince Vaughn and James as best buddies. Trouble ensues when Vaughn discovers James' wife (Winona Ryder) is cheating on him and he simply doesn't know whether he should say something.

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Vince Vaughn teams up with Ron Howard for film

An occasionally funny actor and acclaimed director team up for a relationship comedy

Ron Howard and Vince Vaughn may soon be working together on a comedy. Wait! A comedy? Yes, a comedy indeed. Okay, Howard is no stranger to comedy (he helmed "Edtv"), but it's definitely been a while since he directed one.

This new project, according to the Hollywood Reporter, follows a dude who finds out his best friend's wife is cheating. He then tries to figure out what he should do with this knowledge. The film is described as a comedy focusing on the dark sides of relationships.

Allan Loeb, whose credits include "21" and "Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps," wrote the script. Vaughn was last seen in the disappointing comedy "Couples Retreat." As long as this new project isn't as disastrous as "The Break-Up," I'll give it a fair shot. 

Howard last directed "Angels & Demons," a film I admit I still haven't seen. To be honest, I have no desire to watch it, although I probably will one day. Howard is also developing "The Parsifal Mosaic" at Universal, which also handles this untitled project.

Gus van Sant may direct 'Restless'

Oscar-nominated filmmaker Gus van Sant may team up with Columbia to direct a film entitled "Restless" from a script by Jason Lew. Brian Grazer and Ron Howard are set to produce the film, about which not much is known at this point. Plot details are being kept under wraps.

The Hollywood Reporter says "Restless" is a contemporary take on young love. That's all we get to know about it for now. Apparently, it's a script filled with originality, this according to those who've read and helped develop it. Columbia is set to get this one into production as soon as possible.

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Ron Howard to direct Ludlum's 'Mosaic'

Oscar-winning filmmaker Ron Howard is set to direct Universal Pictures' big-screen adaptation of Robert Ludlum's thriller "The Parsifal Mosaic."

Ludlum's espionage story follows a CIA operative who's convinced he witnessed the execution of his lover, a KGB double agent.

David Self, whose credits include "Thirteen Days," "Road to Perdition" and the upcoming horror flick "The Wolf Man," will write the screenplay.

Howard most recently directed "Angels & Demons." Universal is also currently developing Ludlum's "The Sigma Protocol."

Source: Variety

Two new posters for 'Angels & Demons' debut!

French Web site Filmsactu has posted two brand-new posters for Ron Howard's upcoming flick "Angels & Demons." Check them out after the jump.

Based on the novel by Dan Brown, the film follows Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) on his quest to interrupt a plot to destroy the Vatican. Also starring in the film are Ewan McGregor, Stellan Skarsgård, Ayelet Zurer and Thure Lindhart.

Tom Hanks looks pretty pissed on one of them, doesn't he? Looks like a "I've had it with this job" expression. Anyway, "Demons" opens May 15, 2009.

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Trailer radar: 'Angels & Demons'

Just two days ago we posted one of the first stills from Ron Howard's upcoming "Angels & Demons," and today we've got the first teaser trailer for you right after the jump.

Based on the novel by Dan Brown, the film follows Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) on his quest to interrupt a plot by the Illuminati to destroy the Vatican.

Also starring in the anticipated film are Ewan McGregor, Stellan Skarsgård, Ayelet Zurer and Thure Lindhart. The film opens everywhere May 15, 2009.

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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.