Redford to direct Conspirator

Robert Redford (pix) cast his upcoming historical drama Conspirator with English actor Tom Wilkinson, and Evan Rachel Wood, Kevin Kline and Alexis Bledel. Robin Wright Penn and Scottish actor James McAvoy have already been cast in the film, which deals with the aftermath of the assassination of US president Abraham Lincoln. Production on Conspirator began on Oct 12 in Savannah, Georgia. Wright Penn portrays Mary Surratt, the sole female charged in the conspiracy with Wood playing her daughter, Anna.

Ferrell accepts indie role

Will Ferrell (pix) has committed to Everything Must Go, the directorial début of American commercials director Dan Rush, according to entertainment trade publication Variety. Based on a short story by American Raymond Carver, Everything Must Go stars Farrell as a recently unemployed guy whose belongings get tossed onto his front lawn by his wife. He ends up spending four days trying to sell them while locked out of his house. Production begins in March 2010 for under US$10 million (RM33.8 million).

Stone to star in Satisfaction

Actress Sharon Stone (pix) has committed to the independent film production Satisfaction, which Anya Camilleri begins filming in the UK during the first quarter of 2010, according to Variety. The film revolves around a young gigolo oscillating between a wealthy, calculating older woman (Stone) and a young woman (Dutch actress Carice Van Houten) offering unconditional love. Chris Evans, known best for his recurring role in The Fantastic Four superhero franchise, is in negotiations for the role of the gigolo.

Pine looking at Art of Making Money

Chris Pine (pix) is in advanced negotiations to star as a counterfeit artist in The Art of Making Money, according to Variety. American director D. J. Caruso is set to helm the movie, based on a 2005 article in the American pop-culture magazine Rolling Stone (subsequently expanded into 2008’s The Art of Making Money: The Story of a Master Counterfeiter by Jason Kersten). Pine will portray real-life Chicago counterfeiter Arthur Williams, and production may begin in early 2010.

Studio renames romantic thriller

20th Century Fox has confirmed Knight & Day as the official title of its action comedy starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz (pix), according to Variety. Director James Mangold has been shooting the film in Massachusetts since last month under the working title Wichita, though Trouble Man was another strongly considered title. Knight & Day reportedly stars Cruise as a secret agent who pulls his blind date (Diaz) into intrigue surrounding the protection of some infinite power source. – AFP-Relaxnews