Casting & Development | featured news

First Kristen Stewart reportedly lost her boyfriend of three years, Robert Pattinson, after cheating on him with her “Snow White and the Huntsman” director, Rupert Sanders. Then came the reports that she was dropped from the “Snow White” sequel.

Now it is official. Gary Ross is not returning to direct The Hunger Games sequel, Catching Fire, for Lionsgate. In a statement released to the press, Ross cited the tight schedule as the main reason for him turning down the project. Below is an excerpt of his full statement.

"Robocop" actor Peter Weller is joining the cast of director J.J. Abrams' big-screen "Star Trek" sequel. An APA talent agency spokesman for Weller said Monday the actor's role is a principal one in the film, but details were being kept under wraps.

Ah, Mr. Bond, we've been waiting for you - and at last 007 is back, several years after his last screen adventure. Producers announced Thursday that filming has begun on "Skyfall," the delayed 23rd film in the series and Daniel Craig's third outing as the suave British superspy. Craig, who has brought a hard edge to his portrayal, told reporters that the movie, directed by Sam Mendes and shot in London, Scotland, Turkey and China, would be "Bond with a capital B."

Back in August, it looked like Disney’s big plan to make a film version of The Lone Ranger with Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer and director Gore Verbinski might never happen, since the studio had balked at the project’s hefty cost. Now, after a few weeks of talks and money bargaining, Deadline reports that the Ranger is back in the saddle with a reduced budget.

It was exciting to learn that Kevin Costner would be getting in touch with his dark side to play ruthless slave trainer Ace Woody, henchman to Leonardo DiCaprio's villain Calvin Candie, in Quentin Tarantino's "Southern" DJANGO UNCHAINED. Alas, Costner's return to the time period wasn't meant to be. But how's this for a fair trade?

Mel Gibson and Joe Ezsterhas will collaborate for an untitled drama about Jewish warrior Judah Maccabee, it was first reported late Thursday, and now, Jewish leaders are speaking out about what they feel is hypocrisy in having Gibson involved.

Once Ben Stiller landed one of the most sought after yet beguiling roles in Hollywood, why not direct himself, too? Twitchfilm.com reports that Stiller will not only star in the big screen adaptation of the classic 1939 James Thurber short story, "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," -- he signed on in April -- he'll helm it from behind the camera, too.

How many roles are in this movie? It feels like I hear a new cast announcement for THE HUNGER GAMES every day. But this one seems important, as the role of Seneca Crane has been cast, where Crane is the head gamemaker who creates the titular tournament.

In something of a surprise, "Catfish" directors Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman will direct "Paranormal Activity 3" which is being rushed to theaters Oct. 21.