Russell Wants DeNiro and Lawrence For ‘Joy,’ Lucasfilm Has New Animated Flick, Coogler’s ‘Creed’ Moves Forward

David O. Russell’s Miracle Mop Movie Is Looking To Bring Robert De Niro On Board

Jennifer Lawrence is finalizing her deal to star in Joy, the Fox 2000 flick about Joy Mangano, the inventor of the Miracle Mop. If deals close, film will shoot in February. (THR)

Apparently, Lucasfilm Ltd. Is Not Just About the ‘Star Wars’ Universe

Disney announces that the production company will release a new animated feature called Strange Magic on January 23rd, 2015, with an original story by George Lucas and directed by Gary Rydstrom. (AS)

Ryan Coogler’s ‘Creed’ Is Moving Forward, With Two Real Boxers Negotiating to Join

The Rocky spinoff stars the star of Coogler’s Fruitvale Station, Michael B. Jordan, and Sylvester Stallone, who will reprise his most famous role in the film. (COL)

There’s a New Network Launching in January, and It’s Got Some Impressive Execs On Board

The new Justice Network will feature a lot of procedural and law related programming, with TV vets from places like NBCU, Discovery, and Nat Geo. (TVW)

That ‘Conjuring’ Sequel Has Nailed Down a Release Date

‘The Conjuring 2’ which, like the first film, will be directed by James Wan and star Vera Farming and Patrick Wilson, will hit theaters June 10th, 2016, slot against the Lionsgate sequel Now You See Me 2 and Sony’s videogame adaptation Uncharted.  (DH)

With Gal Gadot Unavailable, ‘Ben-Hur’ FIlmmakers Go After ‘Man of Steel’ Actress

Ayelet Zurer, who played Superman’s Kryptonian mother Lara, is in talks to play the mother of Ben-Hur, who will be played by Jack Huston. timr Bekmambetov is directing. (HV)

Carol Ann Susi, the Voice of Mrs. Wolowitz on ‘Big Bang Theory’ Succumbs to Cancer

The character actress, who was also known for her work in Secret of My Success  and Seinfeld, was 62. (VAR)

It’s Still Three Years Away, But Get Ready: ’Thor: Ragnarok’ Is Going To Kill Off Some Major Characters

Screenwriter Christopher Yost, who also wrote Thor: The Dark World, tweets, “Ragnarok is the end of all things. What are we supposed to do, let people live?!” which implies plenty of carnage. (CB)

Trailer Buzz: ‘Mortdecai’

The latest star turn for Johnny Depp features the Oscar nominee as a dim-witted detective in the comedy from David Koepp, also starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Goldblum, Aubrey Plaza and Paul Bettany, and opens January 23rd. (TP)

Screenwriters: ‘The Wild Bunch’

The 128-page, unspecified draft by Walon Green and Sam Peckinpah, story by Roy Sickner, dated February 12th, 1968. (DS)