Jason Bateman to star in ‘Insane Laws’

Jason Bateman ("Horrible Bosses" & "Arrested Development") is in negotiations with Universal Pictures to star in the upcoming comedy “The Insane Laws” alongside Vince Vaughn. The project will mark the directorial debut of screenwriter Jeremy Garelick. 

In the film, Bateman and Vaughn will play best friends who went to college together, got married at the same time and had kids at the same time. Now their children have grown up and are, without their parents knowing, falling in love with each other.

The relationship between Bateman and Vaughn is severely tested when Vaughn’s daughter turns up pregnant. According to Deadline, the film will most likely be in production before the end of the year.  Bateman has "The Change-Up" coming soon.

Good news: Judd Apatow picks next project

Good news for all Judd Apatow fans. The filmmaker has picked his next project, and Univeral will release the film in theaters June 1, 2012, according to Deadline. He will write, produce and direct the flick.

The project is untitled and plot details are unknown. Apatow last directed "Funny People," which I really enjoyed. It did not perform as well though as "Knocked Up" and "The 40-Year-Old Virgin."

Mark Wahlberg to star in MacFarlane's 'Ted'

Mark Wahlberg is about to play with a teddy bear. The actor is close to make a deal for the lead role in Seth MacFarlane's directorial feature debut "Ted," a Universal comedy intended for an older audience.

The film is a mix of live-action and CG, and the story follows a man (Wahlberg) whose beloved childhood teddy bear comes to life. MacFarlane wrote the script with Alec Sulkin and Wellesley Wild.

Also, MacFarlane will lend his voice to the computer-generated bear, who will most likely be foul-mouthed. Wahlberg next stars in "The Fighter." He is also rumored to circle the remake of "The Crow."

Illumination to develop 'Pluto' movie

Illumination Entertainment is teaming with Universal to tackle a big-screen version of "Pluto," a manga series by Naoki Urasawa. It has been a huge hit in Japan, and the film will be a CG/live-action mix.

Care for an official synopsis of "Pluto"? Here it goes: In a distant future where sentient humanoid robots pass for human, someone or some thing is out to destroy the seven great robots of the world.

Europol’s top detective Gesicht is assigned to investigate these mysterious robot serial murders—the only catch is that he himself is one of the seven targets. Could be a cool feature, as long as they do it right.

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Exclusive Interview: 'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World' director Edgar Wright and actor Brandon Routh

Edgar Wright, director of "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz," recently stopped by in San Francisco to promote "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World," and the man sat down with me to chat about the film.

Enjoy the uncut interview below. Wright chats about video games, adapting the graphic novels and having a lot of freedom in terms of creating his vision. He was joined by actor Brandon Routh.

"Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" follows a dude names Scott, who falls in love with a chick but realizes he must first defeat her seven evil exes. It sounds cool, and it really is. You can read my review here...

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Robert Schwentke could direct 'R.I.P.D.'

Robert Schwentke is a busy guy these days, and he's now in talks to direct "R.I.P.D.," the big-screen adaptation of Dark Horse's graphic novel. Ryan Reynolds stars, and Universal is developing the flick.

As 24 Frames reports, McG was initially attached to the project, but when he left it, "R.I.P.D." stalled. Now Schwentke may just be the one bringing it back to life. He's got "Red" with Bruce Willis coming soon.

"R.I.P.D." is a dark story about dead cops keeping things in order in the underworld. Robert Schwentke also helmed the crappy adaptation of "The Time Traveler's Wife" and the better thriller "Flightplan."

Judd Apatow produces another comedy

Judd Apatow, the guy behind recent comedies "Funny People" and "Knocked Up," is set to produce Universal's upcoming comedy "Business Trip." Deadline reports Apatow's wife Leslie Mann will star.

The story follows a bunch of women who go on a business trip but end up doing no business at all. Details are unknown, but my guess is they'll get into big, silly trouble while having a bunch of fun.

Stacey Harman wrote the script, and it looks like "Business Trip" will shoot early next year. No word yet on who will direct the thing. Mann, by the way, had a pretty big role in "Funny People" as well.

Guillermo del Toro developing new 'Van Helsing'

Let's all hope this is true. Apparently, Guillermo del Toro is developing a brand-new "Van Helsing" movie. Not a remake or sequel... just a whole new fresh start. Word is Universal Studios is backing the project.

Pajiba reports Del Toro is prepping a treatment for the flick. Also, now that he's not directing "The Hobbit" anymore, Del Toro may find the time to direct the new "Helsing." I sincerely hope he will.

"Van Helsing" arrived on the big screen via Stephen Sommers in 2004, and I admit I am among those not loving the flick. It wasn't a complete disaster in my book, but I wouldn't mind seeing a better one.

Del Toro is still working on "The Hobbit" scripts, and he's busy producing some upcoming flicks as well. But now that he does not yet have his next directing gig locked in, this may be on the list. We'll see...

Yay! Tony Gilroy will write 'Bourne Legacy'

We've heard a lot about that possible fourth "Bourne" movie recently, but it looks like Universal is now seriously gearing up for the project. The announcement of the day: Tony Gilroy will write the script!

That's good news! Gilroy also penned "The Bourne Identity," "The Bourne Supremacy" and "The Bourne Ultimatum," so he knows what he's doing. The fourth film is now titled "The Bourne Legacy."

The film is not based on Eric Lustabader's book of the same title though. Also, there is no word yet on whether Matt Damon will return. He said he won't without Paul Greengrass, so we'll have to wait and see.

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Seth MacFarlane to direct 'Teddy Bear' comedy

"Family Guy" master Seth MacFarlane is heading towards his feature directorial debut with "Ted," a comedy Universal will develop for $65 million. Deadline New York says the comedy is described as a "a 'Hard R' comedy about a man and his teddy bear." MacFarlane wrote the script with Alec Sulkin and Wellesley Wild.

Word is the film will be a mix of live-action and CG, and in my book, that's not a good sign. MacFarlane will star in the film as well, and he will voice the teddy bear character. At this point, I really don't know what to make of the film description, but knowing MacFarlane's stuff, the teddy bear will likely be foul-mouthed.