Matt Damon To Direct, Co-Write, And Co-Star In Drama With John Krasinski

It would seem that Matt Damon really wants to direct The Office star John Krasinski in his first directorial effort, but he's having an issue figuring out just which project to do with him. All the way back in June it was reported that Damon was setting up the Matthew Aldrich-scripted Father Daughter Time: A Tale Of Armed Robbery and Eskimo Kisses for the television actor, but now, according to THR and Variety, the pair will be working together on another movie entirely.

The reports says that Damon and Krasinski have co-written a drama that is now set up at Warner Bros. and will star both of them. Krasinski came up with the idea while working with author Dave Eggers. In addition to being directed by Damon, Krasinski will produce under his Sunday Night Productions label. The movie, which doesn't seem to have a title as of yet, the Bourne Trilogy star will play a salesman who enters a small town that is being poisoned. The THR report says that the film will be similar to Steven Soderbergh's Erin Brockovich. The project looks to begin filming in spring 2012.

While Damon is obviously one of the biggest stars in the world, I've always wondered why he hasn't written more. Since winning the Best Original Screenplay Oscar for Good Will Hunting, he's written only one other movie: Gerry, which was co-written by Casey Affleck and Gus Van Sant. The guy is the movie equivalent of a five-tool player in baseball, but has been hiding one of his skills for too long. Hopefully this project will capitalize on his talent.

Matt Damon To Direct, Co-Write, And Co-Star In Drama With John Krasinski

It would seem that Matt Damon really wants to direct The Office star John Krasinski in his first directorial effort, but he's having an issue figuring out just which project to do with him. All the way back in June it was reported that Damon was setting up the Matthew Aldrich-scripted Father Daughter Time: A Tale Of Armed Robbery and Eskimo Kisses for the television actor, but now, according to THR and Variety, the pair will be working together on another movie entirely.

The reports says that Damon and Krasinski have co-written a drama that is now set up at Warner Bros. and will star both of them. Krasinski came up with the idea while working with author Dave Eggers. In addition to being directed by Damon, Krasinski will produce under his Sunday Night Productions label. The movie, which doesn't seem to have a title as of yet, the Bourne Trilogy star will play a salesman who enters a small town that is being poisoned. The THR report says that the film will be similar to Steven Soderbergh's Erin Brockovich. The project looks to begin filming in spring 2012.

While Damon is obviously one of the biggest stars in the world, I've always wondered why he hasn't written more. Since winning the Best Original Screenplay Oscar for Good Will Hunting, he's written only one other movie: Gerry, which was co-written by Casey Affleck and Gus Van Sant. The guy is the movie equivalent of a five-tool player in baseball, but has been hiding one of his skills for too long. Hopefully this project will capitalize on his talent.

A.M. Awesome: DMC To Produce Electric Deloreans In 2013

As fans of Back to the Future, we’re getting dangerously close to a 2015 that promised flying cars and holographic Jaws films. Is science going to fail us? Probably. We only recently got flashy shoes from the series and they didn’t even have power laces, so asking for flying cars may be a little unrealistic, but with any luck we’ll at least be able to pick ourselves up a brand spanking new Delorean by then.

The Delorean Motor Company, DMC, have unveiled and allowed media test drives of their new DMCEV, a relatively high powered electric version of the classic 80s Delorean made famous by Doc Brown and Marty McFly. This new model won’t travel anywhere in time, but with 200hp and 0-60 in 4.9 seconds it’ll get you anywhere in this timeline in a hurry, without needing the qualifier “for an electric car”. Jalopnik’s Kevin McCauley got to spend some time with the weighty car saying that it remains true to its 1980s Delorean roots, but comes with modern conveniences like a built in iPod dock, presumably so you can blast Alan Silvestri’s iconic score.

DMC is working with electric car company Epic EV and with Flux Power (fitting) to develop a strong battery that will take it farther than the current parameters which limit the DMCEV to “70 miles comfortably and 100 if driven extra efficiently” per charge. The team has prototypes in road tests and car shows, but a finalized version of the vehicle won’t go into production until 2013, so start saving now.

As expected, the gullwing doors are still present in this new model, but lacks some of the other modifications we remember from Back to the Future. I can’t wait for the day when one of these passes me on the highway with a Mr. Fusion sticking out the top and a flux capacitor in the back seat. That will be awesome.

A.M. Awesome: DMC To Produce Electric Deloreans In 2013

As fans of Back to the Future, we’re getting dangerously close to a 2015 that promised flying cars and holographic Jaws films. Is science going to fail us? Probably. We only recently got flashy shoes from the series and they didn’t even have power laces, so asking for flying cars may be a little unrealistic, but with any luck we’ll at least be able to pick ourselves up a brand spanking new Delorean by then.

The Delorean Motor Company, DMC, have unveiled and allowed media test drives of their new DMCEV, a relatively high powered electric version of the classic 80s Delorean made famous by Doc Brown and Marty McFly. This new model won’t travel anywhere in time, but with 200hp and 0-60 in 4.9 seconds it’ll get you anywhere in this timeline in a hurry, without needing the qualifier “for an electric car”. Jalopnik’s Kevin McCauley got to spend some time with the weighty car saying that it remains true to its 1980s Delorean roots, but comes with modern conveniences like a built in iPod dock, presumably so you can blast Alan Silvestri’s iconic score.

DMC is working with electric car company Epic EV and with Flux Power (fitting) to develop a strong battery that will take it farther than the current parameters which limit the DMCEV to “70 miles comfortably and 100 if driven extra efficiently” per charge. The team has prototypes in road tests and car shows, but a finalized version of the vehicle won’t go into production until 2013, so start saving now.

As expected, the gullwing doors are still present in this new model, but lacks some of the other modifications we remember from Back to the Future. I can’t wait for the day when one of these passes me on the highway with a Mr. Fusion sticking out the top and a flux capacitor in the back seat. That will be awesome.

New Breaking Dawn Images Show Jacob Smoldering, Edward And Bella Actually Smiling

Seven new images from The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn- Part 1 have made their way online, and at this point you know where or not you want to check them out and squeal or back away slowly and forget this ever happened. If you're in the first camp, though, you'll be treated to an up-close glamour shot of Taylor Lautner-- looking like the embarrassing Abduction never happened-- Edward and Bella looking less sullen then ever as they dance together, and some vampires carrying some enormous logs in the forest, because no wedding is complete without a mossy tree centerpiece.

Check out all seven images below, and click on them for the high-res versions in our Blend Film Database. The Taylor Lautner one is so spot-on identical to the centerfolds I used to cut out of Bop magazine in 1995 that I won't blame you if you want a poster-sized version for yourself. It's OK, I won't tell anyone.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn- Part 1 hits theaters November 18, precisely a month from now. Buy your tickets while you can!

New Breaking Dawn Images Show Jacob Smoldering, Edward And Bella Actually Smiling

Seven new images from The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn- Part 1 have made their way online, and at this point you know where or not you want to check them out and squeal or back away slowly and forget this ever happened. If you're in the first camp, though, you'll be treated to an up-close glamour shot of Taylor Lautner-- looking like the embarrassing Abduction never happened-- Edward and Bella looking less sullen then ever as they dance together, and some vampires carrying some enormous logs in the forest, because no wedding is complete without a mossy tree centerpiece.

Check out all seven images below, and click on them for the high-res versions in our Blend Film Database. The Taylor Lautner one is so spot-on identical to the centerfolds I used to cut out of Bop magazine in 1995 that I won't blame you if you want a poster-sized version for yourself. It's OK, I won't tell anyone.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn- Part 1 hits theaters November 18, precisely a month from now. Buy your tickets while you can!

Anne Hathaway Signs On For Les Miserables

Back in August we reported the rumor that Anne Hathaway was being considered to play Fantine in director Tom Hooper's upcoming version of Les Miserables. We were a bit skeptical at the time, but it turns out the rumor was right: today Deadline is confirming that Hathaway has signed on for the big-screen musical.

She's joining a top-notch cast in the adaptation of the classic novel by Victor Hugo. Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe were already aboard the project, playing Jean Valjean and Inspector Javert, respectively. Director Tom Hooper made a big splash last year as the helmer of the Academy Award-winning The King's Speech.

Les Miserables has been adapted for the screen a half-dozen times, notably back in 1998 when Liam Neeson was in the role of Valjean. That version eschewed the singing side of things, so this new version should excite fans of the popular musical. Nor should anybody be worried about the singing chops of the three stars. Jackman is a stage regular. Crowe's musical proclivities are well known, including his amusingly named band, 30 Odd Foot of Grunts. And Hathaway sang a parody version of the Les Miserables song "On My Own" on the last Academy Awards, a version that skewered...guess who...her new Les Mis co-star Hugh Jackman.

This new Les Miserables is slated to hit theaters on December 7th, 2012, just in time for Oscar season. The script was written by William Nicholson (Elizabeth: The Golden Age). Now, here's Anne belting one out (and making fun of Hugh Jackman).

Anne Hathaway Signs On For Les Miserables

Back in August we reported the rumor that Anne Hathaway was being considered to play Fantine in director Tom Hooper's upcoming version of Les Miserables. We were a bit skeptical at the time, but it turns out the rumor was right: today Deadline is confirming that Hathaway has signed on for the big-screen musical.

She's joining a top-notch cast in the adaptation of the classic novel by Victor Hugo. Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe were already aboard the project, playing Jean Valjean and Inspector Javert, respectively. Director Tom Hooper made a big splash last year as the helmer of the Academy Award-winning The King's Speech.

Les Miserables has been adapted for the screen a half-dozen times, notably back in 1998 when Liam Neeson was in the role of Valjean. That version eschewed the singing side of things, so this new version should excite fans of the popular musical. Nor should anybody be worried about the singing chops of the three stars. Jackman is a stage regular. Crowe's musical proclivities are well known, including his amusingly named band, 30 Odd Foot of Grunts. And Hathaway sang a parody version of the Les Miserables song "On My Own" on the last Academy Awards, a version that skewered...guess who...her new Les Mis co-star Hugh Jackman.

This new Les Miserables is slated to hit theaters on December 7th, 2012, just in time for Oscar season. The script was written by William Nicholson (Elizabeth: The Golden Age). Now, here's Anne belting one out (and making fun of Hugh Jackman).

Hangover II Lawsuit Claims The Movie Stole Man's Life Story

While most of us have never accidentally kidnapped a naked Asian gangster or received an unwanted Mike Tyson-inspired facial tattoo, everybody can relate to the idea of a crazy weekend with friends. You know, the kind of outing that leaves scars, incriminating photos, and stories that will be retold between friends for decades to come. That's one reason why The Hangover and its sequel have become blockbuster hits. They're exaggerated, funnier versions of something most of us have experienced at some point or another. They're relatable. There's one fellow, however, who insists that The Hangover Part II hits just a little too close to home...close enough that he's filed a lawsuit.

According the The Hollywood Reporter, a dude named Michael Alan Rubin is claiming that The Hangover Part II ripped off both his real-life Asian honeymoon vacation and the script he wrote based on that trip. You can click through to THR's story to read the full details, but the gist is this: back in 2007 Rubin got hitched to a Japanese lady, then the pair headed off to Thailand and India for their honeymoon. The trip didn't exactly go as planned, however, because the two soon began fighting over money issues. Trying to make the best of a bad situation, Rubin decided to write a script based on his honeymoon misadventures. That script, entitled Mickey and Kirin, was allegedly filed with the Writers Guild of America. When Rubin eventually heard about The Hangover Part II, he decided there were too many similarities to his script and life, leading him to eventually file a lawsuit.

Granted, none of us have read the script in question, but if the only similarities you can find between The Hangover Part II and Rubin's story are the setting and the vague concept of "bad stuff happens on a wedding trip," well, I'm right there with you. Rubin likely has an uphill battle to prove that he's got a case, and it's probably not going to help that he's purportedly representing himself. Especially because he takes it a step beyond simply crying plagiarism: according to THR he's claiming that specific instances in the film were targeted directly at him with the intent of defaming his character.

Hangover II Lawsuit Claims The Movie Stole Man's Life Story

While most of us have never accidentally kidnapped a naked Asian gangster or received an unwanted Mike Tyson-inspired facial tattoo, everybody can relate to the idea of a crazy weekend with friends. You know, the kind of outing that leaves scars, incriminating photos, and stories that will be retold between friends for decades to come. That's one reason why The Hangover and its sequel have become blockbuster hits. They're exaggerated, funnier versions of something most of us have experienced at some point or another. They're relatable. There's one fellow, however, who insists that The Hangover Part II hits just a little too close to home...close enough that he's filed a lawsuit.

According the The Hollywood Reporter, a dude named Michael Alan Rubin is claiming that The Hangover Part II ripped off both his real-life Asian honeymoon vacation and the script he wrote based on that trip. You can click through to THR's story to read the full details, but the gist is this: back in 2007 Rubin got hitched to a Japanese lady, then the pair headed off to Thailand and India for their honeymoon. The trip didn't exactly go as planned, however, because the two soon began fighting over money issues. Trying to make the best of a bad situation, Rubin decided to write a script based on his honeymoon misadventures. That script, entitled Mickey and Kirin, was allegedly filed with the Writers Guild of America. When Rubin eventually heard about The Hangover Part II, he decided there were too many similarities to his script and life, leading him to eventually file a lawsuit.

Granted, none of us have read the script in question, but if the only similarities you can find between The Hangover Part II and Rubin's story are the setting and the vague concept of "bad stuff happens on a wedding trip," well, I'm right there with you. Rubin likely has an uphill battle to prove that he's got a case, and it's probably not going to help that he's purportedly representing himself. Especially because he takes it a step beyond simply crying plagiarism: according to THR he's claiming that specific instances in the film were targeted directly at him with the intent of defaming his character.