Hilary Duff has joined the cast of “Stay Cool” which already includes Winona Ryder, Mark Polish, Sean Astin, Chevy Chase and Jon Cryer. The film is going to be directed by the Polish Brothers who directed the very excellent 1999 film “Twin Falls Idaho” and the equally remarkable 2003 fantasia, “Northfork.” Too bad “The Astronaut Farmer” looked rather terrible. The project is said to be a “knowing-your-age comedy,” chronicling a writer (Polish) forced to finally face his high school crush (Ryder) when making a commencement address to graduating seniors. Duff, who just appeared in the poorly reviewed, but indie-successful, “War Inc.,” has two films already slated for later this year or early 2009, “Safety Glass” with Steve Coogan and the inter-racial love story, “Greta.” [Hollywood Reporter]
Zach Galifinakis has joined Michael Cera in the coming-of-age dark comedy, “Youth In Revolt.” The film already stars Steve Buscemi, Ray Liotta, Jean Smart, and M. Emmet Walsh and new additions also include Erik Knudsen and Mary Kay Place. The film is being directed by Miguel Arteta, the filmmaker behind the very excellent and underrated “Chuck & Buck,” and the not-so-bad, “The Good Girl.” [Hollywood Reporter]
The new poster for Guy Ritchie’s crime caper “Rock N Rolla” is out. The “Dragonball Z” poster seems like it was made as a challenge to see if anyone could possibly look at it without cracking up. [/Film]
Writer/actor Mike White has turned in a script for “School of Rock 2.” What’s it about? He’s not saying, but will claim that writing the script made him cry. He also’s not sure the film will actually get made. [Defamer]
Four months after the fact, Lakeshore records is releasing Clint Mansell’s score to the romantic comedy, “Definitely Maybe” starring Ryan Reynolds, Rachel Weisz, Isla Fischer and Elizabeth Banks. Mansell was part of the ‘8os/’90s industrial pop band Pop Will Eat Itself and then went on to do notable scores for Darren Aronofsky (“Requiem For A Dream,” “The Fountain”). The soundtrack disc will come out June 24 in conjunction with the DVD that comes out on the same day. We’re wondering if this wait-and-see approach to releasing soundtrack CDs is going to become a new trend. [Top 40 Charts]
European exhibition confab Cinema Expo were the first execs to get a first glimpse at Ben Stiller’s “Tropic Thunder” and “The Watchmen.” [Variety]