Rumor: Harrison Ford Aims to Kill Off Indiana Jones in Next Film« FirstShowing.net

Take this with a huge grain of salt as plenty ofIndiana Jonessequelrumors that we haven't highlighted have come and gone just as quickly, but this new rumor does seem like a viable path for the franchise.Showbiz Spy, whose reliability is in question simply because they're a gossip site, is reportingHarrison Fordhas told creatorGeorge Lucasand series directorSteven Spielbergthat he would like the iconic adventurer to meet his end in the fifth adventure. Furthermore, as the end of the fourth installment seemed to hint at, the fedora and whip would be picked up by Shia LaBeouf's character and Indiana Jones' offspring Mutt Williams. Uh-oh!

Once again, this is a huge rumor at this point, but considering Ford's age and the aforementioned hints in the conclusion ofKingdom of the Crystal Skull, it makes a lot of sense. Apparently Lucas is"resisting the notion"and Spielberg is"considering it."Frankly, if Indiana Jones is going to meet his doom, I think that should be where the franchise ends once and for all. First of all, a spin-off featuring an adventurer called Mutt Williams sounds like a a terribleAir Bud-style, direct-to-DVD version ofIndiana Jones. Second of all, I'm not so sure fans of the longtime archaeologist are going to be quick to follow Shia LaBeouf to a franchise that aims to capture the same nostalgia and sense of adventure that the original films delivered decades ago.

Of course, who knows when we might see the nextIndiana Jonesadventure anyway. While LaBeouf has mentioned beingpitched an ideafor the sequel by Spielberg once before and even said the story had been"cracked,"there's definitely not a script that we know of yet (though Ford has said there is a"germ of an idea"). In addition, it sounds like Spielberg has already planned the follow-up to his historical dramaThe War Horseas we've heard that the director isofficially attached to helmthe adaptation ofRobopocalypse. Harrison Ford's reps havealready denied this rumor, but let's stir this hypothetical pot.What do you think?

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Matt Damon Says Steven Soderbergh's Retirement is Imminent« FirstShowing.net

Back when we heard George Clooney waspotentially up for leadingSteven Soderbergh'sadaptation ofThe Man from U.N.C.L.E.for the big screen, there were rumblings that the project was being viewed as the last film on which the actor and director would collaborate. Now it sounds like that train of thought may be taken a little further in that the adaptation of the60's TV seriesmay be Soderbergh's last film altogether. In speaking withMatt Damon, who's been working with Soderbergh's onContagion,24 Frameslearned that the director has grown weary of cinematic storytelling and will likely make good on histalk of retirementvery soon.

Damon says,"He's retiring, he's been talking about it for years and it's getting closer."Seemingly confirming George Clooney's collaboration with Soderbergh on The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Damon had this to say about Soderbergh's future in filmmaking:

"He’s kind ofexhausted with everythingthat interested him in terms of form. He’snot interested in telling stories. Cinema interested him in terms of form and that’s it. He says, 'If I see another over-the-shoulder shot, I’m going to blow my brains out.' After this movie we’re doing ‘Liberace’ next summer with Michael Douglas, and then he might do one more movie after that with George {Clooney}, and then after that he’s retiring."

However, Damon seems to be trying to convince him otherwise, and aspires to follow in his footsteps as a great director:

"After I worked with Clint {Eastwood} I went back and said,‘Look, Clint is having a blast and he's going to be 80 years old.’ And Steven says back, ‘Yeah, buthe’s a storyteller and I’m not,’ If you're an actor or a writer or someone working in film, it's such a waste. For me, I'm going to spend the next 40 years trying to become a great director and I will never reach what he's reached. And he's walking away from it."

I can understand Soderbergh becoming bored with the traditions of filmmaking, and he's been trying to shake things up with lower profile experimental indie projects likeThe Girlfriend ExperienceandBubble, but apparently that's not enough. Some people just get bored with their current jobs, and no matter how creative or inspiring Soderbergh's work in film has been, we can't blame him for wanting to climb another mountain outside of the film industry. Personally, I hopeThe Man from U.N.C.L.E.comes together spectacularly so Soderbergh's leaves on good terms. We'll certainly miss him when he leaves.Anyone disappointed?

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Diane Kruger Set to Play Marie Antoinette in 'Farewell, My Queen'« FirstShowing.net

Though we just recently heard that Gemma Arterton wastaking the female leadin Michael Mann's period romanceCapa, what we didn't mention is that she was taking a role that once belonged to Eva Green. Now it sounds like theCasino Royaleactress has been replaced on another project. French film news siteAllocine(viaThe Playlist) reportsDiane Krugeris replacing Green as Marie Antoinette in Benoit Jacquot's adaptation ofChantal Thomas' novelFarewell, My Queen. Though she's a big part of the story, this film does not see the young royal leader as the central character, but rather looks at the 1789 French Revolution through the eyes of a royal reader.

Lea Seydoux(Robin Hood) plays the reader in question who recalls the historical events 30 years later. Simultaneously an insider and an observer of royal history, she describes the final days before revolution engulfs the palace with insight and surprising slices of humor.Gerard Depardieualso has a role in the film, but his role has not yet been specified. As for Jacquot, the filmmaker has not yet made a name for himself in the United States, but films likeThe School of Flesh,Keep It QuietandSeventh Heaven(nothing to do with theTV show of the same namefrom years passed) have garnered him nominations at the film festivals in Cannes and Venice. This could be yet another film we'll see at festivals in the next year or two.Interested?

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Casting Tidbits: Tom Cruise, Zac Efron, Halle Berry& Justin Long« FirstShowing.net

Well, isn't that a pretty picture. Santa rolling down the block in a Panzer! Well kids, I certainly hope you have been good this year, cause it looks like Santa just took out the Casting Tidbits. Incoming! First up,EWconfirms thatTom Cruise, who was previouslyrumored for a partin the adaptation of the stage musicalRock of Ages, is now in talks for a role. It's not clear if it's the same bartender role who belts out 80's hair rock, but we'll find out sooner or later. In addition, it sounds likeGwyneth Paltrowfresh off her singing performances in 'Glee"and Country Strong has also been offered an unknown role in the musical fromHairspraydirector Adam Shankman.

Next,THRreports the ensemble cast of the romantic comedyNew Year's Eve, the pseudo-sequel toValentine's Day, has added even more talent to its already hefty roster.Sarah Jessica Parker,Halle BerryandZac Efronare all going to celebrate the end of the year in 2011 alongside already confirmed talents Robert De Niro, Michell Pfeiffer, Hilary Swank, Sofia Vergara, Lea Michele and Abigail Breslin. In addition,Valentine's Daydirector Garry Marshall will helm the holiday romance and he's bringing stars Ashton Kutcher and Jessica Biel with him. With all these stars in one movie, I can't imagine them having more than 10 minutes of screen time each, and that seems kind of wasteful.

Finally,Risky Bizhas word on the cast of another ensemble film under the guidance of screenwriter Jamie Linden (We Are Marshall) making his directorial debut.Ten Year, the story about friends reuniting a decade after their high school graduation has garned the talents ofChris Pine(Star Trek),Anna Faris(The House Bunny),Justin Long(Going the Distance),Channing Tatum(G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra),Anthony Mackie(The Hurt Locker),Christ Pratt("Parks& Recreation"),Scott Porter("Friday Night Lights"),Brian Geraghty(The Hurt Locker),Kate Mara(127 Hours),Jenna Dewan(Step Up) andOscar Isaac(Body of Lies).

Well, that's all for this edition ofCasting Tidbits. Be sure to stay tuned for more casting updates on the way.

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Director Jonas Pate Takes the 'Bait' from Writer Bret Easton Ellis« FirstShowing.net

Moving from writing novels-turned-films likeAmerican PsychoandRules of Attraction, authorBret Easton Ellismade his screenwriting debut withThe Informers. While the film was very much panned in its limited release, Ellis is still moving forward with his screenwriting career asVarietyreports his script for a thriller calledBaithas just landedJonas Pate("Battlestar Galactica") to direct the film. Set in Spain, the story follows a disturbed woman who holds a group of American students hostage in shark-infested waters. Seems like a diabolical plot that a James Bond villain would craft, but sharks have an entire week dedicated to them, so it must be serious.

Aside from shooting in studios in Spain, apparently production will also take place over open water. This sounds like a very strange film, but perhaps this will be a good chance for Pate to really break into directing films. Though he helmed a film calledDeceiverin 1997, he's mostly dabbled in cinematic, sci-fi TV for the past decade. Hopefully the writing talents of Ellis' novels come through in this screenplay which has the potential for a less disgusting,Human Centipedesituation. Anyway, who doesn't love sharks?Interested?

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Casting Tidbits: Rosario Dawson, Sienna Miller and Dennis Quaid« FirstShowing.net

This is a full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency here. We're gonna press on, and we're gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny f*ckin' Kaye. And when Santa squeezes his fat white ass down that chimney tonight, he's gonna find the jolliest bunch of Casting Tidbits this side of the nuthouse. First up, the sizable ensemble cast ofTen Yearhas just grown even more asRisky BizreportsRosario Dawson(Unstoppable) andLynn Collins(X-Men Origins: Wolverine) will star alongside other stars like Chris Pine, Justin Long and Anna Faris in a story which follows a group of friends attending a ten year high school reunion.

Second,VarietyreportsSienna Miller(G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra) andDanny Huston(X-Men Origins: Wolverine) will star inTwo Jacks, and indie drama fromBernard Rosewhich is actually based on the story storyThe Two Hussarsby Leo Tolstoy. The story follows two different generations of a family starting in 1992, when a legendary filmmaker returns to Hollywood after a lengthy absence to get financing for a new movie. He's a boozer, a womanizer and wins the money he needs from poker games. Flash forward 20 years later and the filmmaker's son (played by Jack Huston ("Boardwalk Empire") comes to town to make his directorial debut amid curiosity as to whether he's inherited his father's gifts.

Next,VarietyreportsDennis Quaid(The Special Relationship) will star in the indie thrillerBeneath the Darkenss, a story following a teen (Tony Oller) who struggles to expose the grim secrets of the house owned by Quaid's character, a respected local hero. The film is already shooting in Texas withMartin Guiguidirecting from a script by Bruce Wilkinson. The cast also includes Aimee Teegarden, Tony Oller, Devon Werkheiser, Brett Cullen and Stephen Lunsford.

Finally,Heat VisionreportsTeri Polo(Meet the Parents) andDermot Mulroney(My Best Friend's Wedding) have joinedBeyond, a thriller which follows a veteran detective and a questionable television psychic who will stop at nothing to find a missing child.Jon Voightalso stars in the film which is under the direction ofThe 13th Floorhelmer Joseph Rusnak. The small budget film is already in production in Alaska.

Well, that's all for this edition ofCasting Tidbits. Be sure to stay tuned for more casting updates on the way.

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