Movie File: Scarlett Johansson, Charlize Theron, Jennifer Garner, Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell & More
Scarlett Johansson has joined the cast of "Mission: Impossible 3." The "Lost in Translation" star will reportedly play an ally of Ethan Hunt, Tom Cruise's character in the popular franchise based on the '60s television series. The pair will be joined by Kenneth Branagh ("Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets") and the returning Ving Rhames ("Dawn of the Dead") when the flick starts shooting this summer, with Cruise's buddy Joe Carnahan ("Narc") in the director's chair. ...
Charlize Theron is looking to step into the comic-movie world. Fresh from her Oscar win for "Monster," the actress is in negotiations to produce and star as a bounty hunter looking for abandoned mob loot in "Jinx" (not to be confused with the proposed James Bond spinoff starring Halle Berry that was going by the same name). Writer Brian Michael Bendis will adapt from his own work on the comic series of the same name. Theron will next be seen in this fall's "Head in the Clouds," a historical drama she shot with beau Stuart Townsend ("The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen") last year, and in June she'll begin shooting the live-action version of MTV's animated series "Aeon Flux." ...
Jennifer Garner's "Elektra" spinoff has added another character from the "Daredevil" mythos -- the villainous Typhoid Mary, who'll be played by Natassia Malthe ("Disturbing Behavior"). Terence Stamp, remembered by comic fans as General Zod in "Superman" and "Superman II," is in negotiations to play Elektra's mentor, Stick. Goran Visnjic ("ER") is also in the flick, which starts shooting in Vancouver, British Columbia, next month. ... Adam Sandler may have taken his quarterback role, but original "The Longest Yard" star Burt Reynolds has joined the cast of the remake as the coach. ...
Robert Rodriguez's unconventional (and fan-pleasing) decision to have comic book legend Frank Miller co-direct his film adaptation of Miller's "Sin City" might have ticked off the rule makers in Hollywood, but it hasn't stopped big-name actors from joining the cast. Rodriguez ("Desperado," "Spy Kids") has rounded up Nick Stahl ("Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines") and Jessica Alba. The movie, based on the stories "Sin City," "That Yellow Bastard" and "The Big Fat Kill," will also star Bruce Willis, Elijah Wood, Brittany Murphy, Jaime King ("Bulletproof Monk") and Mickey Rourke ("Spun"). ...
The press onslaught for Will Ferrell's "Anchorman" has just gotten under way, but the summer comedy is far from the only project the "SNL" veteran has coming. Later this year he'll turn up in "Winter Passing" and Woody Allen's "Melinda and Melinda," and alongside his pal Luke Wilson in "The Wendell Baker Story." Next year will see him in the live-action version of "Curious George" and opposite Robert Duvall in "Kicking and Screaming." ...
Marvel Films has tapped screenwriter David Hayter ("X-Men," "X2") to pen the latest draft of "Iron Man." Although no one has been cast, Tom Cruise told the U.K.'s Empire magazine that he'd be interested in playing the hero, a troubled billionaire industrialist named Tony Stark whose alter ego wears superpowered body armor. "We are talking, that's as much as I can tell you," Marvel Films CEO Avi Arad said of Cruise. "Apparently he's a fan. And we'll see. It's schedules, timing, a lot of issues. We're honored to have him totally relating to Tony Stark." ...
Reese Witherspoon has signed on to star in the romantic comedy "Manhattan Baby" and will serve as a producer on the flick through her Type A Films. The "Legally Blonde" star will next be seen in this fall's historical drama "Vanity Fair," set in 19th century London and based on the novel of the same name. ... Wayne Wang ("Maid in Manhattan") is in talks to direct Queen Latifah in a remake of the 1940s British comedy "Last Holiday," according to The Hollywood Reporter. ...
Daryl Hannah will follow up "Kill Bill: Vol. 2" with the ensemble John Sayles ("Sunshine State") drama "Silver City," co-starring Thora Birch ("American Beauty") and Chris Cooper ("Adaptation"). "It's a political satire," the actress said of the movie, which follows a Colorado politician whose campaign for governor is threatened by the discovery of a corpse. Hannah just finished shooting the movie and will next move on to "The King" with Sam Shepard ("Black Hawk Down"). ...
P.J. Soles ("Halloween," "Carrie") has joined the cast of Rob Zombie's "The Devil's Rejects." The sequel to "House of 1000 Corpses" follows the group of murderers from first flick as they are pursued by the brother of a character they killed and a group of bounty hunters he's hired to help him get revenge. Lions Gate Films looks to have the sequel in theaters later this year. ... Paramount has pushed the release of Jude Law's CGI-filled "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" from June 25 to September 17, presumably to avoid the summer competition. ...
