Emily Blunt Gets The Umbrella Ready For Disney’s ‘Mary Poppins’ Redo
Actress is now in talks for the umbrella-wielding title role of “Mary Poppins.” She’ll be reteaming with her “Into The Woods” director Rob Marshall, and the movie has “Life Of Pi” writer David Magee taking on the script, with Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman creating the tunes. Sounding like a sequel/reboot, this version is taking place twenty years after the original. (TP)
Aaron Sorkin Isn’t Messing Around With HIs Directorial Debut, Chases Jessica Chastain For the Lead
Oscar winner is getting behind the camera for Molly’s Game, based on the memoir by Molly Bloom, who ended up running an elite high-stakes poker ring for eight years before ultimately being brought down by the FBI. Chastain has been offered the role of Molly. (COL)
There’s Suddenly a Big Opening At Sony Entertainment, Nicole Seligman Steps Down as President
Seligman was serving as president of the Sony Corp. of America when she was asked in May 2014 to add the newly created position of president of Sony Entertainment to her portfolio. While assisting in the transition, she plans to leave Sony by the end of March. Seligman, who has been reporting to both Sony chief executive Kazuo Hirai and Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton, is leaving to pursue other interests after 15 years with the company. (TB)
Brad Pitt Developing Medical Drama ‘He Wanted the Moon’ With Tony Kushner
Project is a co-production with Cross Creek’s Brian Oliver and Tyler Thompson producing with Plan B. The companies have acquired movie rights to the memoir, written by Dr. Perry Baird’s daughter Mimi and Eve Claxton, titled He Wanted the Moon: The Madness and Medical Genius of Dr. Perry Baird, and His Daughter’s Quest to Know Him. (VAR)
That Long In Development ‘Dark Tower’ Adaptation Has Now Found Its Female Lead
Model-turned-actress Abbey Lee, who starred in Mad Max: Fury Road, will join the cast, though there are some questions about her character. The 28-year-old Australian is in negotiations to take the female lead, a character named Tirana, but that character doesn’t actually show up until the seventh and final book in the series, so there is some concern among fans about how this will all fit together. Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey are already on board. (CB)
New Directors/New Films Announces Its Full Lineup For This Year’s 45th Edition
Opening the festival will be Babak Anvari’s debut feature Under the Shadow, the Iranian horror film about a mother and daughter haunted by a sinister presence during the Iran-Iraq War. Closing the festival will be Kirsten Johnson’s Cameraperson, while other festival hits hits like Weiner and Evolution will also screen. (IW)
Andy Daly’s ‘Review’ to End With Abbreviated Final Season on Comedy Central
Viacom-owned cable network is poised to pick up Andy Daly vehicle Review for a limited third season. The decision to wrap the comedy series in which Daly stars as Forrest MacNeil, a professional critic who reviews real-life experiences was a joint one between the actor-creator-producer and the network. The move will allow Daly to properly provide closure for the series. Daly is currently fielding comedy pilot offers from the broadcast networks. (LF)
The Sad Case Of Alchemy, Which Is Being Slowly Killed By the DVD Business
Alchemy is in deep trouble. Its most anticipated title, The Lobster, has been sold to A24; it’s facing “financial discrepancies,” and major cutbacks. However, while other indie distributors fend off attacks from upstart new-platform competitors like Netflix and Amazon, the undoing of Alchemy may stem from an enemy considered all but toothless: The DVD business. (IW)
Trailer Buzz: ‘The Path’
Hulu has released the first extended look at its upcoming original series, from Emmy-winning producer Jason Katims. The drama, which examines a cult, stars Aaron Paul, Michelle Monaghan and Hugh Dancy, and premieres March 30th. (SF)
Screenwriters: ‘Tin Men’
The 161-page screenplay by Barry Levinson. Script is labeled Shooting Draft, and dated June, 1986. (DS)