Here’s your first look at Chow Yun-Fat as the title character in Hu Mei’s biopic of Confucius, the famous Chinese philosopher. [First Showing]
Juan Antonio Bayona and Sergio Sanchez, the director-writer team behind the “The Orphanage,” are set to reteam for a project that will probably be Bayona’s second directorial feature. A spring 2010 start date is being eyed for photography on the film which, thus far, has only the mysterious description of being a “powerful story, based on true facts, which poses large technical challenges.” [Variety]
Rinko Kikuchi (“Babel,” “The Brothers Bloom”) is set to star Tran Anh Hung’s adaptation of Haruki Murakami’s “Norwegian Wood.” Kenichi Matsuyama will also be starring. [/Film]
A new poster for “The Expendables” has been unveiled. [/Film]
Monica Bellucci has joined the cast of Jerry Bruckheimer’s “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.” The film follows a sorcerer who recruits and trains a young protege to help him fight the forces of darkness in modern-day Manhattan. Nicholas Cage leads a cast that includes Jay Baruchel, Alfred Molina, Teresa Palmer and Toby Kebbell. [Variety]
Jason Statham is set to star in a $40 million dollar adaptation of Ranulph Fiennes’ bestseller “The Feathermen.” Retitled “The Killer Elite,” the story is based on real events and follows a group of former British special forces members who are being hunted by assassins. Statham will play the stereotypical badass forced out of retirement. [Variety]
Roadside Attractions and Liddell Entertainment have acquired worldwide rights to Chris Rock’s “Good Hair,” a documentary that looks at hair culture in the black community. The doco won a special jury prize at Sundance earlier in the year and will see release a theatrical release this fall. [THR]