Daily news dose: Seth Gordon to direct 'King Dork;' 'Straw Dogs' and 'Bounty Hunter' casting updates

Here is your dose of film news for July 16, 2009:

• Christine Baranski has signed on to star in Andy Tennant's comedy "Bounty Hunter," which also stars Jennifer Aniston, Gerard Butler and Jason Sudeikis. Butler plays a bounty hunter hired to find and bring in his ex-wife (Aniston) because she skipped bail. Baranski plays Aniston's mom. (Variety)

• Kate Bosworth (pictured above) and Alexander Skarsgard are joining James Marsden in Rod Lurie's reimagining of "Straw Dogs." The film will focus on a screenwriter whose relationship with his wife starts to change for the worse after they move to her hometown in the South. Bosworth plays the wife, with Skarsgard set to play her ex-boyfriend. (Variety)

• Seth Gordon, director of "Four Christmases," is in talks to direct "King Dork," based on Frank Portman's novel. Story follows a high school student who finds refuge from all his troubles in music. He also tries to explore the causes of his father's unusual death. (The Hollywood Reporter)

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Seth Gordon to direct 'Mr. Romance'

New Regency has bought "Mr. Romance," a pitch for a comedy Seth Gordon will direct from a script by Jeff Roda.

Variety says the film follows a cynical man who is forced to participate in the Mr. Romance competition to win back the woman of his dreams.

Apparently, the competition is a real event, finding male models who end up appearing on the covers of romance novels.

Gordon most recently directed the holiday comedy "Four Christmases." His credits also include the acclaimed documentary "The King of Kong."

Review: “Four Christmases”

Seen on: November 27, 2008

The players: Director: Seth Gordon, Writers: Caleb Wilson, Matt Allen, Jon Lucas, Scott Moore, Cast: Vince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon, Noah Munck, Haley Hallak, Robert Duvall

Facts of interest: Gordon also directed "The King of Kong."

The plot: Every year, Kate and Brad go on vacation to avoid spending Christmas with their families. This year however, they accidentally find themselves paying a visit to all of them.

Our thoughts: Seth Gordon’s “Four Christmases” is not exactly a glorious feast, but then again, the movie isn’t that terrible either. The film’s story line is forgettable and most of the gags are too cheap to really impress, but a fast-paced plot and a bunch of refreshing performances make it a lot easier to sit through this comedy than expected.

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'Four Christmases' web reviews

In Seth Gordon's latest comedy "Four Christmases," Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon team up as a couple trying to avoid family gatherings on Christmas. But when all their flights get cancelled and their parents see them on television, the two feel obliged to pay them all a visit. Here's how online critics respond to it:

• Brad Brevet at RopeOfSilicon: "This flick won't become a holiday classic, but I am sure it will entertain those that go see it."

• Cinema Blend's Josh Tyler: "It’s not boring enough to be irritating and not funny enough to be entertaining."

• Brian Orndorf at Collider: "If Vince Vaughn wants to ruin Christmas, he's going about it the right way."

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Trailer for 'Four Christmases' debuts on Web

Just like every year in the U.S., the first Christmas flicks start hitting theaters in November already (don't ask me why). One of them this year is Seth Gordon's "Four Christmases," in which Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon play a couple struggling to visit all four of their divorced parents on Christmas Day.

Although this trailer did not really win me over, I have to admit Vaughn and Witherspoon look like a solid enough team to handle this kind of cheap screwball comedy. Robert Duvall, Jon Favreau, Mary Steenburgen, Dwight Yoakam and Sissy Spacek co-star. "Four Christmases" opens Nov. 26, 2008. Enjoy the preview just above.