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Kramer to helm Silver's 'Fully Automatic'



Wayne Kramer has reportedly signed on to direct Joel Silver's Fully Automatic.

According to Variety, Kramer has been hired to helm The Matrix producer's latest project for Warner Brothers.

The film is said to be similar to Silver's Lethal Weapon series and reportedly revolves around two rookie police officers who team up with a female former Delta Force agent to try to stop a mercenary who has stolen a cache of weapons.

Production on Fully Automatic is slated to begin later this year.

Kramer's previous screen credits include the Paul Walker movie Running Scared and the upcoming Crossing Over, starring Harrison Ford.

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Sommers denies Miller boobs remark



Director Stephen Sommers has denied asking Sienna Miller to boost her cleavage during G.I. Joe filming.

Reports circulated last summer that Sommers had told Miller that her natural figure was not adequate for the role of The Baroness. Miller was quoted as saying that she wore chicken fillets for the role.

"The director said 'I'm gonna be honest, I like girls with big boobs', and I don't have them so we made them bigger," she reportedly said.

Speaking about the claims, Sommers told The Hollywood Insider: "Everybody here laughed because they know I would never say that to an actress. I guess the costume department gave her a tight-fitting bra, but no-one gave her rubber breasts or whatever. It is 100% Sienna Miller."

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Beals reunites with Washington for 'Eli'



Jennifer Beals has joined the cast of Denzel Washington's action film The Book Of Eli, says The Hollywood Reporter.

The movie, to be directed by Albert and Allen Hughes, revolves around a man called Eli who travels across a post-apocalyptic America in possession of a book that could save humanity.

Flashdance star Beals will play a blind woman who is the prize of Gary Oldman's villain Carnegie and mother to Mila Kunis's character Solara.

Beals and Washington previously appeared together in 1995 film Devil In The Blue Dress.

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Ledger 'best actor of his generation'



Terry Gilliam has hailed the late Heath Ledger as the best actor of his generation.

The filmmaker, who worked with Ledger on The Brothers Grimm and the forthcoming Imaginarium Of Dr. Parnassus, told the New York Post that the loss of Ledger still "rankles" with him.

"In terms of his acting, it still rankles with me that he's dead because he would have been streets ahead of anyone else in his generation," Gilliam said. "He just kept getting better and better. He was fearless.

"On Parnassus, he was improvising all the time, and it was better than what we had written. In a sense, I felt Heath was writing this film."

Ledger died from an overdose of prescription pills in January last year. The Imaginarium Of Dr. Parnassus is scheduled for release on June 6.

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Driver joins legal drama 'Betty Anne'



Minnie Driver has reportedly signed on to star alongside Hilary Swank in Tony Goldwyn's legal drama Betty Anne Waters.

The film is based on the true story of an unemployed single mother (Swank) who puts herself through law school in order to prove that her jailed brother is innocent of murder.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Driver will play Abra, a law school student with a wild past.

Driver's previous screen credits include Good Will Hunting, The Phantom Of The Opera and recent FX show The Riches.

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Munroe to direct 'El Zombo Fantasma'

Kevin Munroe will write and direct a movie adaptation of Dark Horse comic El Zombo Fantasma.

The story involves a murdered Mexican wrestler returning from the dead to act as guardian to a difficult Los Angeles teen, The Hollywood Reporter says.

Chris Patton, Robert Sanchez, Jose Martinez and Latino Review movie website owner Kellvin Chavez will produce the project, described as a "Latino Hellboy".

"It furthers our goal of bringing Latino themes and Latino talent to the commercial market," said Martinez. "We plan to blow this out in a big way."

Director Munroe's last movie was TMNT. He is currently preparing to shoot Dead Of Night with Brandon Routh.

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Academy sues over $175k Oscar tickets



The Academy Of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has filed a lawsuit against a company that has been selling "black-market" tickets for this year's Oscars.

Arizona-based Experience 6 had reportedly been charging up to $175,000 (£124,000) for the luxury packages, which included four tickets to the ceremony and a hotel stay in Los Angeles.

Show organisers have insisted that tickets to the Academy Awards cannot be transferred or sold for security reasons, including the possibility of celebrity stalkers or terrorists acquiring them.

The lawsuit, which was filed yesterday, added that individuals who purchased such luxury packages would not be allowed access to the event.

"In offering such black-market tickets, defendants are misleading the public and the ticket buyers into thinking that purchasers will be welcomed guests, rather than as trespassers, when they arrive for the ceremony," it said.

According to TMZ, the lawsuit is asking for an injunction to be placed on the sale of the packages as well as compensatory and punitive damages.

The 81st annual Academy Awards will take place at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles on February 22.

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Rogers adapting fantasy novel 'Enchanted'

Steven Rogers has been hired to write a movie adaptation of Shanna Swendson's book Enchanted, Inc, according to Variety.

The fantasy novel is based around Katie Chandler, a Texas girl who moves from her small-town home to New York and discovers that magic is a common occurrence in the Big Apple. Because she has no magic abilities, Katie is able to see through spells.

Strike Entertainment (Children Of Men), who are housed at Universal, will produce the film.

Rogers's previous credits include Hope Floats, Kate And Leopold and Hilary Swank rom-com P.S. I Love You.

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'Shrek' voted best kid's film by adults



Shrek has been named the most loved children's film by adults.

The Dreamworks animation about a grumpy ogre beat competition from Pirates Of The Caribbean and Finding Nemo to top the survey of 3,000 adults carried out by OnePoll.

"Shrek is a great film whether you are five or 50," said a OnePoll spokesperson.

"It has the simple plot and colourful characters keep the children entertained, but the jokes and adult humour make sure that it also keeps the older generation happy."

The 2001 movie, which featured the voice talents of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz, has spawned two successful sequels, with a third follow-up currently in development.

Disney's Pirates Of The Caribbean, starring Johnny Depp, was ranked second, while Disney/Pixar animation Finding Nemo came in third place.

The top ten most loved children's films as voted for by adults are:

1. Shrek
2. Pirates Of The Caribbean
3. Finding Nemo
4. Toy Story
5. Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone
6. The Lion King
7. Mrs Doubtfire
8. Monsters Inc.
9. Ice Age
10. Wallace And Gromit: Curse Of The Were-Rabbit

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Warner Bros confirms 'Tomb Raider 3'



A third instalment in the Tomb Raider movie franchise has been confirmed, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Warner Brothers has reportedly bought the rights to the series, based on the popular video game about the daredevil archaeologist.

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and its sequel Lara Croft: Cradle Of Life were made by Paramount before the rights reverted back to the games' makers Eidos. Warner Brothers reportedly then landed the rights as part of Time Warner's deal to up its stake in Eidos.

Terminator Salvation's Dan Lin will produce the film, which is in early development, with Stephen Gilchrist co-producing and Eidos's Ian Livingstone executive producing.

No cast has been announced yet but insiders have tipped Transformers star Megan Fox to take on the role made famous by Angelina Jolie.

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'Slumdog' beats Cruise to UK top spot



Slumdog Millionaire has held off competition from Tom Cruise's Valkyrie to retain the UK box office top spot.

Cruise's World War II drama settles for second, while horror My Bloody Valentine climbs to third.

Will Smith's Seven Pounds slips to fourth and fantasy adventure Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans enters at five. Ron Howard's historical drama Frost/Nixon charts at nine.

The top ten in full:

1. (2) Slumdog Millionaire - £2,806,996
2. (-) Valkyrie - £1,854,195
3. (4) My Bloody Valentine - £1,182,514
4. (2) Seven Pounds - £1,089,129
5. (-) Underworld: Rise of the Lycans - £990,285
6. (3) Role Models - £951,449
7. (5) Bride Wars -£950,538
8. (6) Beverly Hills Chihuahua - £918,808
9. (-) Frost/Nixon - £591,411
10. (10) Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa - £408,315

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Scotts, Carnahan join 'The A-Team'



Twentieth Century Fox has hired Ridley Scott and Joe Carnahan to develop its movie adaptation of The A-Team.

According to Variety, Scott and his brother Tony will produce through their Scott Free company, while Carnahan will replace the recently departed John Singleton in helming the project.

"Tony and I feel that marrying this Scott Free project with Joe's sensibility will result in a fast-paced, exciting franchise, one we hope will be around for years to come," said Ridley Scott.

Stephen J. Cannell, the creator of the 1980s TV show, will also produce.

The original series followed four Vietnam vets who escape from prison and become do-gooder mercenaries. Carnahan has revealed that the Middle East will replace Vietnam in the movie but that the premise will remain the same.

"You can...make a film that reflects on the real world without losing the great sense of fun and the velocity of action in a classic summer popcorn film," said Carnahan.

"This was a coveted property, and reimagining a show that I remembered as a kid was tough to turn down. Fox hired me to make it as emotional, real and accessible as possible without cheesing it up."

Production is scheduled to begin in June with a slated June 2010 release date.

Carnahan's previous directing credits include Narc and Smokin' Aces.

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Padilha directing Ludlum's 'Protocol'

Brazilian filmmaker Jose Padilha has been hired to direct espionage thriller The Sigma Protocol for Universal.

The movie, based on the last completed novel from Jason Bourne creator Robert Ludlum, centres on a Wall Street economist who becomes a target for assassination. With the help of a disowned US intelligence agent, he uncovers a conspiracy to control the global financial system and world events.

Iron Man writers Art Marcum and Matt Holloway have penned the adaptation, bringing events from the novel's World War II setting into the present day.

Padilha's recent film Elite Squad won the prestigious Golden Bear prize at last year's Berlin International Film Festival. He is also attached to Warner Bros's The Willing Patriot and drug drama Marching Powder.

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Neil Jordan to adapt 'The Graveyard Book'



Neil Jordan has reportedly signed on to direct a film adaptation of Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book.

According to Geeks Of Doom, Gaiman made the announcement during an appearance on The Today Show.

The novel revolves around Nobody Owens, a boy who lives in a graveyard and has been raised by ghosts. Gaiman was recently awarded the 2009 Newbery Medal for the book, recognising its contribution to children's literature.

The author will produce the film with The Dark Knight's Framestore in charge of the special effects.

Gaiman revealed that he hopes for an all-British cast of well-known stars, similar to the Harry Potter franchise. However, he said that the main role of Nobody will be played by several unknown actors of different ages.

Jordan's previous directing credits include The Brave One, Interview With The Vampire and The Crying Game, for which he won a best screenplay Oscar.

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Ledger family asked Oldman to accept award



Gary Oldman has revealed that he accepted Heath Ledger's SAG award at the request of the late actor's family.

Oldman, who appeared opposite Ledger in The Dark Knight, praised his co-star when picking up the Best Supporting Actor prize at Sunday's ceremony.

"I'm quite emotional," the British actor said. "He was an extraordinary young man, with an extraordinary talent and it is wonderful that you have acknowledged and honoured that talent tonight."

Oldman told Access Hollywood that he was asked to collect the award after meeting Ledger's family.

"We went for a wonderful meal with the family in New York, we got on very well," he explained. "They called and said would I pick it up for [Heath] if he won?"

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Stan Lee faces $750 million lawsuit



Comic book writer Stan Lee has been hit with a $750 million (£528m) lawsuit over movie and book profits.

Lee, whose creations Spider-Man, Fantastic Four and the X-Men have been turned into hit blockbusters, is being sued along with Marvel Comics by shareholders of Stan Lee Media Inc. (SLMI).

In papers filed in New York, SLMI claim that Lee signed the rights to his Marvel characters over to them and are seeking a portion of film and merchandising profits.

SLMI was formed by Lee in 1991 but went bankrupt a decade later. The company re-surfaced in 2006 without Lee's involvement. Lee later sued them for cybersquatting and copyright infringement.

"We look forward to a positive resolution for Stan Lee and his family," said Lee's attorney Mark Williams of the lawsuit.

Marvel, who are also named in the case, have dismissed the claims as "ridiculous".

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Academy relaxes rules for 'The Reader'



The Academy Of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has relaxed its rules on Oscar nominees for Best Picture contender the The Reader.

Academy regulations state that only three producers may be credited per picture, but the makers of the Kate Winslet drama had submitted four names, reports Variety.

Organisers have agreed to allow four individuals to be credited for the first time in a decade because two of them - Anthony Minghella and Sydney Pollack - have died.

The rule was introduced after an army of producers invaded the stage following Shakespeare In Love's win in 1998, but the Academy revised the regulation in 2006 to exclude "rare and extraordinary circumstances".

"The committee determined that the circumstances of The Reader - in which the two original producers both died partway through the process - met its definition of 'rare and extraordinary' and that all four submitted individuals should be named as nominees," said a statement.

Minghella passed away last March after suffering a brain haemorrhage. Pollack died from cancer three months later.

Ben Hur's Sam Zimbalist is the only producer to posthumously win a Best Picture Oscar.

The 81st annual Academy Awards will be broadcast live from the Kodak Theatre on February 22.

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Batman film forecast for 2011



The third Batman film since the relaunch of the franchise should hit cinema screens in 2011, producer Michael Uslan has predicted.

He told the Courier-Post that the sequel to The Dark Knight is around three years from release, but declined to reveal which supervillains the Caped Crusader will face in his next outing.

Uslan said: "It's one of those deals where if I told you, I'd have to kill you."

He added that the first time he saw The Dark Knight, he was so happy he "wanted to cry".

Last year, director Christopher Nolan refused to confirm that he would direct a third Batman film.

He told the New York Times that he has to be emotionally invested in the story if he is to continue working on the series.

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Duff cast in Bonnie and Clyde film



Hilary Duff has been cast as infamous criminal Bonnie Parker in a new movie adaptation of her crime spree with Clyde Barrow, Variety has confirmed.

Independent film The Story Of Bonnie And Clyde will be directed by Tony S. Holly from her own script.

Duff will play the part made famous by Faye Dunaway in the 1967 film of the true-life Bonnie and Clyde tale, while Kevin Zegers will succeed Warren Beatty in the role of Clyde.

Earlier this month, Duff released the Personal Jesus-sampling 'Reach Out' as the lead single from her Best of Hilary Duff album.

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Chase's film project "about rock 'n' roll"



Sopranos creator David Chase has revealed the first details about his upcoming film project.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly at the Producers Guild Awards, Chase said: "It is in the early stages, I am just writing. It is about rock 'n' roll, but that is about all I am comfortable saying at this point."

Chase has previously voiced his desire to move away from the Mafia world he explored in HBO's The Sopranos. "He's been there, done that. He's moving on," an insider earlier told Variety.

Chase signed up to write, direct and produce the untitled film for Paramount last year.

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