Akiva Goldsman Spins "A Winter's Tale"

After years of churning out scripts for films like "A Beautiful Mind," "Cinderella Man," "The Client" and "The Da Vinci Code" and producing numerous others, Avika Goldsman is finally stepping behind the camera.

According to Deadline Goldsman will make his feature directorial debut on the $75 million fantasy drama "Winter's Tale" for Warner Bros. Pictures.

The film is an adaptation of the 1983 Mark Helprin novel, which follows the story of Peter Lake, an orphaned mechanic who tries to rob a palatial West Side mansion. There he meets a young dying girl who he becomes determined to save. A flying white horse also configures into the story, which is set in both 19th Century and contemporary Manhattan.

This would be Goldman's first feature directing gig. He has previously directed episodes of the science fiction series "Fringe," for which he is a consulting producer.

The film is set for sometime in the spring of next year, which leaves more than enough time for Goldsman to work on the adaptation of Stephen King's "The Dark Tower," which he wrote and is producing with Ron Howard and Brian Grazer.

Diaz, Firth Star In "Gambit" Remake

When I heard that the Coen Brothers were scripting a remake of the British film "Gambit," I have to admit I got pretty excited. The duo obviously are fantastic directors, but it could be argued that the brothers might be even better screenwriters, having written the scripts for "Fargo," "The Big Lebowski," "No Country For Old Men" and "True Grit" among others.

So with a great script attached I thought that this film had potential to be a successful remake and now that it has added another cast member, I think it definitely will be one to keep an eye on.

According to Reuters Cameron Diaz is now attached to join Colin Firth in "Gambit," a remake of the 1966 British caper that starred Michael Caine and Shirley MacLaine.

In the original starring Caine and Shirley starred the story followed a cat burglar who tries to rob a billionaire of a priceless statue. He enlists the help of a waitress who is a dead ringer for the victim's late wife, but the job's execution is complicated by his relationship with his accomplice.

In the remake, Firth plays a London art curator who plots out an elaborate scheme to con a collector into buying a fake Monet painting. As part of the ruse, he recruits a Texas steer roper (Diaz) to play the part of a woman whose grandfather liberated the painting at the end of WWII.

Firth has always been a favorite actor of mine and he truly was fantastic in "The King's Speech" and I'll be interested to see what he does with Caine's former role. Firth was nominated for Best Actor last year for "A Single Man" and earned another nomination this year for "Speech." I really think Firth and Diaz will have some great chemistry and along with a script from the Coen's, this one should be as witty and entertaining as the original.

Michael Hoffman, who worked on "The Last Station," is set to direct and shooting aims to kick off in London and Texas in May.

Warners Reboots The "Fletch" Franchise

Like many films from the '80's, "Fletch" will always be dear to my heart. I've always been a fan of comedy and journalism, so watching Chevy Chase bounce around Los Angeles in wild costumes while working as an investigative reporter was just pure comic gold for me.

And like most films from the '80's, "Fletch" is getting a re-do.

According to Heat Vision Warner Bros. Pictures has picked up the movie rights to Gregory McDonald's eleven-book series of mystery novels, which feature the character Irwin M. Fletcher.

The idea of a new "Fletch" franchise has been in the works for decades, although none of those efforts have felt quite as "official."

Steve Golin, Michael Sugar and David List will produce the film adaptation which aims to be "a reimagining, not a remake" of the original film, which followed the character of Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher as he juggles writing exposes while avoiding headaches caused by his two ex-wives.

The original books are fantastic reads, especially the first two books in the series, titled "Fletch" and "Fletch Won." Although I don't think "Fletch" needs another go around, I'm actually encouraged by the idea of a "reimagining" rather than a full out remake. Christopher Nolan sure did a good job "reimagining" Batman, so hopefully another great character will have the same fate.

As of now no star, writer or director is yet attached, but in the past the likes of Zach Braff, Kevin Smith, Ben Affleck and Joshua Jackson have been rumored to be involved in some capacity.

"Toy Story 3" Scribe Pens China-Set "Snow"

Screenwriter Michael Arndt has already won himself and Oscar for "Little Miss Sunshine" and later this month he could very well have another one for his work on "Toy Story 3." Either way it's not bad these days to be Michael Arndt and the writer has just landed himself another plum job.

According to Reuters Arndt is in negotiations to work on the script for "Snow and the Seven" for Disney Pictures.

The project, which has been in development since 2002, centers on a 19th century Englishwoman who returns to her Hong Kong home for her father's funeral, only to discover that her stepmother is plotting against her. She escapes to mainland China, finding solace among a rogue band of seven international warriors.

Production designer John Myhre ("Memoirs of a Geisha," "Chicago") has also come onboard the project, which Francis Lawrence ("I Am Legend," "Constantine") is set to direct.

The biggest question for the project hinges on actress Natalie Portman. Portman herself garnered an Oscar nomination for her role in "Black Swan" and has been circling the project since last year. Problem is, Portman is now pregnant, which just might get in the way of her starring in what should be a pretty physical shoot.

Funny enough, the film is only one of three "Snow White" projects in development. The other films are Universal's "Snow White and the Huntsman" with Charlize Theron and Viggo Mortensen, and Relativity Media's take, which Tarsem Singh is onboard to direct.

Even if Portman can't star in the film, bringing on Arndt and Myhre to the project is a step in the right direction. The script should be great and if Myhre's past work means anything, the production design should be absolutely perfect.

Look for more news on Portman's status on the project in the coming months.

A Day To Remember

....and on this day we remember the greatest Super Bowl of all time. Thanks David Tyree's helmet. Thanks Eli Manning's jersey. Thanks Rodney Harrison's steroid taking ass. Thanks Plax, kinda. Thanks Steve Smith's hands. And fuck you Assante Samuel. Best. Super Bowl. Ever.

Lupe Fiasco Has Some New "Words"

There isn't much that needs to be said about this track except that it's great, Lupe is the man, and his new album "Lasers" will be epic when it drops on March 8th.

Do yourself a favor and listen and enjoy.

Emile Hirsch Checks Into "The Motel Life"

Although he may not be the first name to come to mind when thinking of Hollywood's top young actors, in my opinion Emile Hirsch has proven over his career that he definitely belongs in the conversation.

Hirsch has given some outstanding performances in his relatively short career--"Alpha Dog," "Into the Wild," "Milk," "Taking Woodstock"--and the actor is hoping to add another to that list.

According to Variety, Hirsch is set to star in the adaptation of Willy Vlautin's novel "The Motel Life" for Polsky Films.

Based on the novel by Vlautin, the story centers on two brothers who flee their Reno motel room after getting involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident. Hirsch will play one of the brothers.

Alan and Gabriel Polsky ("Bad Lieutenant: Port of New Orleans") will produce the film. There is neither a director nor screenwriter yet attached, but it's possible the Polskys could take on both duties.

Hirsch is set to have a big year having completed work on this summer's alien-invasion thriller "The Darkest Hour" and William Friedkin's "Killer Joe," opposite Matthew McConaughey. While alien-invasion films are starting to become a dime-a-dozen these days, "The Darkest Hour" is looking to give a new take on the genre, employing handheld cameras and gritty realism to the story.

Hirsch should be a perfect fit for "The Motel Life" no matter who they get to play the other brother. He has worked well in the crime genre before, considering his work on "Alpha Dog" as a notorious drug dealer and kidnapper.

Shooting is expected to begin later this year.

Jeff Daniels, Piper Perabo Sign For "Looper"

Rian Johnson is easily one of the most unique and creative writer-directors working in the industry. His past two feature films, the crime-noir "Brick" and the con man caper "The Brothers Bloom," are two of the most underrated films of the past decade. "Brick" was amazing in part because Johnson did a fantastic job of bringing the gritty realism of Dashiel Hammett's writing to a high school setting.

For fans of Johnson, anticipation is mounting for his next project, the science fiction feature "Looper." The film has a fantastic cast already, with Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis starring, and the project just added a few more names.

According to Variety, Jeff Daniels, Piper Perabo and Noah Segan have joined the cast.

The story features a group of killers who send bodies of their victims back in time. The film is described as "following a killer who works for the mob of the future. He, along with other so-called Loopers, dispose of people sent from the future. When he recognizes one victim as his future self, he hesitates, letting the man escape.”

Gordon-Levitt and Willis are set to play the two versions of the protagonist. There are no new details on the three new actors' roles, but they join an already stacked cast, which also stars Emily Blunt, Paul Dano and Xu Qing. All three are excellent, including Perabo who had success this past summer with her USA series "Covert Affairs," which scored the actress a Golden Globe nomination.

Johnson is directing the film from his own script, while "Primer" writer-director Shane Carruth is working on some of the film’s time-travel effects.

Everything about this film has me excited. The idea of bringing Johnson's unique eye to the science-fiction drama is exciting enough, but with the cast he has in place, this is sure to be an excellent movie. Another great move was adding Carruth to the crew.

Carruth wrote and directed an extremely low budget time-travel film in 2004 called "Primer," and if you haven't had the chance to check it out, it's well worth it.

Shooting is currently underway in New Orleans.

Drake in Talks to Join Eva Green in "Arbitage"

Back before rap star Drake catapulted himself to the top of the hip-hop industry with the release of his debut album "Thank Me Later," he was a teen actor, going by his real name Aubrey Graham and flashing his chops on the popular teen drama "Degrassi: The Next Generation." After a long run on the series, he turned to his true passion--music--and it looked like he might never look back.

Until now.

According to The Wrap, Drake might be dipping back into the acting profession and is currently circling a role in the Nicholas Jarecki ("The Informers") financial thriller "Arbitrage."

Jarecki is writing and directing the film, which according to the site, "follows a hedge fund magnate who is in over his head and desperate to complete the sale of his shady trading empire to a major bank before his fraud is revealed. However, an unexpected, bloody error forces him to turn to the most unlikely corner for help in protecting him from rivals who want to bring him down."

The cast of the film is already pretty strong, with Susan Sarandon and Eva Green ("Casino Royale") on board to play the main character's wife and art dealer mistress.

The 24-year-old artist's first studio album, "Thank Me Later," has sold over one million copies in the United States and was easily one of the best albums of 2010.

I think Drake fits in perfectly with this project, and for anyone who watched "Degrassi" back in the day, you know the man can act. While the show was overly dramatic, his character was one of the most interesting, especially after he was bound to a wheelchair after being shot. Like I said, very dramatic.

Either way this project definitely got a bit better for adding the actor-turned-rapper-turned actor again.

Shooting is scheduled for this March in New York.

McG Joins NBC's "Wonder Woman"?

After years of numerous studios and filmmakers trying to bring Wonder Woman to the big screen, NBC is hoping that a television series is the way to finally "lasso" in some success. After initially passing on the reboot of the iconic character, NBC green lit the project, which is produced by David E. Kelley ("Boston Legal," "Harry's Law").

Kelley is in charge of developing the pilot for the series, and according to TV Line, it looks as if the project is close to adding a director. "Terminator Salvation"-helmer McG has emerged as the leading candidate to direct the pilot of the new series.

Say what you will about McG's skills as a director, but he has proved over the years that he has a knack for television. He currently is the executive producer for four series airing on television right now: "Nikita," "Human Target," "Supernatural" and "Chuck," and in the past he directed the pilots for "Chuck" and "Fastlane."

His past television work makes McG a great fit for this project, and after years of trouble bringing the character to the screen, he could be a reason why the show will get picked up if it does. Between his work on "Chuck" and "The O.C.," he has done a great job with female characters and emotional drama, which should be a big part of the new series.

McG is, of course, also is a veteran of reviving cheesy '70s television properties that like to masquerade as female empowerment statements, with his part in the "Charlie's Angels" franchise and all.

CinemaSpy is also throwing itself into the rumor game, claiming that Minka Kelly from "Friday Night Lights" was in talks to star as Wonder Woman at one point and then pointing out that Lake Bell has offered herself to Kelley for the title role. Linda Carter's boots will be difficult for anyone to fill but it's likely Kelley will go the "Smallville" route and pick an unknown. When the film version was being discussed, plenty of A-Listers were tossed around by the peanut gallery of the Internet, namely Angelina Jolie, but Kelley doesn't appear to want "Wonder Woman" to be a glammy spectacle.

The more important question, of course, is how McG will be able to handle the duties of running "Wonder Woman" when he's supposed to be ushering in the apocalypse with his "Ouija" film.

NBC hopes to have the show ready for next fall.