JJ Abrams and Tom Cruise have hired former “Alias” producers Josh Applebaum and Andre Nemec to write the screenplay for “MI:4,” the fourth installment of the “Mission Impossible” franchise. Cruise’s Ethan Hunt will reportedly be featured, though possibly in only an off-screen role for the film which aims for a 2011 release. [BFDealMemo]
Geeez, “Robin Hood” is set to get a modern makeover courtesy of Atlas Entertainment and the Hollywood Gang, people behind “The Dark Knight” and “300.” Nicolai Fuglsig has signed to direct with Jason Hall to scribe. The film will be set in a future dystopian London and center on a band of thieves whose activities restore hope to the city’s embattled population. Modernizing, the new remake? [RiskyBizBlog]
Looks like Doug Liman directed one too many “Bourne” films. The director recently came to the aid of a boating accident in the Hudson River. While he didn’t go as far as diving headfirst fully clothed into the water, he and producer Avram Ludwig did motor over and assist the survivors whose smaller boat was run over by a cargo ship. [THR]
A new poster for Brian Taylor and Mark Neveldine’s “Gamer” has been unveiled. [ONTD]
Ludacris has signed with talent agency CAA. The rapper-cum-actor has been making his mark in a number of roles in recent films with Guy Ritchie’s “RockNRolla,” Neveldine-Taylor’s upcoming “Gamer” and “Hustle & Flow.” He’s serviceable at best but we’d rather see him in films than say 50 Cent. [RiskyBizBlog]
Abdul Williams’ script “Lottery Ticket” starring Bow Wow and Ice Cube has been picked up by Alcon Entertainment. The film will follow the story of a young man (Wow-haha) living in the projects who has to survive a three-day weekend after his opportunistic neighbors find out he’s holding a winning lottery ticket worth $350 million. [Variety]