Universal Creates Collective For Monster Universe, DWA Talks Merger With Hasbro, MacLaren Becomes Frontrunner To Helm ‘Wonder Woman’ Flick

Universal Hires a Trio Of Writers To Develop Studio’s Monster Universe

Fargo writer Noah Hawley and Prisoners scribe Aaron Guzikowski join Men in Black writer Ed Solomon and previously-hired Chris Morgan and Alex Kurtzman as a “writer’s collective” to work together to shape the series of films. (COL)

Potential Mega Deal Alert: DreamWorks Animation In Merger Talks With Hasbro

DWA could join the toy giant to forge a family entertainment powerhouse to be called DreamWorks-Hasbro. Company is also talking with Hearst to turn DWA’s AwesomenessTV into a joint venture. (DH)

‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Game of Thrones’ Director Appears To Be Frontrunner For ‘Wonder Woman’ Flick

To the surprise of few, Michelle MacLaren has emerged as a frontrunner for the position, and has been a favorite of some since the conversation first began back in August. (HV)

Lee Daniels Signs On To Relativity Project About a Real-Life Demon Possession

Story follows a Gary, Indiana woman whose children appeared to be attacked and possessed by a number of demons. No start date announced, as Daniels first must finish his Richard Pryor project. (SAA)

Circle Of Confusion Wants To Amp Up Its Film Production, So It Hires Someone To Oversee It

Former Offspring Entertainment EVP of production Matt Smith, who also was an executive producer on this summer’s Maleficent, will take over the spot for the management firm/production shingle. (THR)

With Margot Robbie Firmly In the Fold, ‘Suicide Squad’ Now Has Its Sights Set On Jai Courtney

The Terminator: Genisys star is in talks with Warner Bros. to play Deadshot, the legendary sharpshooter and Batman version who is one of the Squad’s main players. (VAR)

Mark Gordon Options ‘Molly’s Game’ For Aaron Sorkin To Adapt

Book is a memoir of Molly Bloom, who ran the most elite underground poker game in Hollywood for years until she was eventually, and inevitably, busted by the FBI.  (SF)

Sony Taps an Academy Award-Winner To Write Its ‘Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune’ Video Game Adaptation

Mark Boal, who won his Original Screenplay Oscar for The Hurt Locker, will pen the script for the project, with Seth Gordon on board to direct. No star yet attached. (CB)

Trailer Buzz: ‘Song One’

The first trailer from the new romantic drama starring Anne Hathaway, which opens in theaters January 23rd, 2015. (VUL)

Screenwriters: Four Great TV Pilot Openings

Taking a look at the openings of Breaking Bad, The Good Wife, Downton Abbey and The Walking Dead, and how to establish your show right off the bat. (SM)