For up-and-coming screenwriter Aaron Berg his first screenplay sale couldn’t have gone any better. His script, titled “Section 6,” sparked a bidding war, with Universal nabbing the rights and paying a cool $1.2 million for his thriller that “follows the World War I-era formation of British intelligence agency MI6 and its first director, Sir George Mansfield Cummings, who served as the inspiration for M in the ‘James Bond’ series.” With a logline like that, it’s no wonder that Hugh Jackman has taken a look at the material, while Justin Lin and Brett Ratner have also shown an interest as directors. No one is formally attached yet, but it’s safe to say this one is going to get some major talent. [The Wrap]
Angelina Jolie‘s “Unbroken,” the true story of Louis Zamperini, a former Olympian who endured medical experiments, slave labor, and brutal beatings as a Japanese POW during WWII, continues to cast up. Japanese guitarist and singer Miyavi has landed the pivotal role of Mutsushiro Watanabe, aka “The Bird,” the guard who made it his mission to break Zamperini. Meanwhile, Jordan Patrick Smith (“Neighbors,” “Home And Away“) has signed to to play Cliff, an Aussie POW. Production on the movie begins next week. Jack O’Connell, Garrett Hedlund, Domhnall Gleeson, Alex Russell and John Magaro round out the cast. [Deadline/Inside Film]
Alex Karpovsky aka Ray on “Girls,” will star in “Folk Hero & Funny Guy.” Actor Jeff Grace wrote the script and will make his directorial debut, telling the story of “Paul and Jason, childhood friends who have drifted apart as they’ve reached their 30s. Jason is a good-looking and free spirited singer-songwriter whose career is taking off, while Paul (Karpovsky) is a struggling stand-up comedian whose once promising trajectory is now in decline. They reunite when Jason passes through town on his most recent tour. A night of drinking leads Jason to offer Paul the opportunity to serve as the opening act for his upcoming solo tour. What Paul doesn’t know is that Jason has booked the tour himself in order to win back an old flame. Paul’s woes are the ideal opportunity for Jason to get his number one wingman back on board.” Adam Ezra, who inspired the character of Jason, will write the music for the movie with the filmmakers planning to go to Kickstarter to help raise funding. [The Wrap]
Genesis Rodriguez (“The Last Stand,” “Identity Thief“) has boarded Kevin Smith‘s horror thing “Tusk.” She’ll co-star alongside Justin Long and Michael Parks in the film about “a podcaster who sets out to interview an eccentric, reclusive old seafarer, only to find himself a plaything in the gruesome plot of a deranged killer.” Production starts next month. [Variety]
Lastly, Lee Chang-Dong (“Poetry,” “Secret Sunshine“) has added Zhang Ziyi to his upcoming, untitled film. She’ll co-star alongside Won Bin in the film that, according to AsianWiki, “revolves around a Chinese woman who works as a prostitute, a serial killer and a detective who chases after the serial killer.” No word yet on when it might lens. [Tout Le Cine]