Warner Bros. acquire James Patterson bestsellers

Warner Bros. Pictures has acquired the James Patterson bestsellers “When the Wind Blows” and “Maximum Ride” with an eye toward turning the young adult books into a kid franchise.

Matthew Huffman (Me & My Monster”) has been set to write a script based on the first book.

Patterson, best known for writing the Alex Cross mystery novels that were turned into “Kiss The Girls” and “Along Came a Spider,” has turned his storytelling skills to a tale of six genetically engineered kids, they have wings and can fly, who are hunted down by the scientists.

Paramount has Ben Ramsey scripting a third Alex Cross film, “Roses Are Red�.

Michael Bacall to adapt comic book - Scott Pilgrim

Marc Platt Productions along with Universal have tapped Michael Bacall to adapt comic book “Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life”, reports Variety. “Shaun of the Dead” helmer Edgar Wright is aboard to direct it.

The first in a three-part series by Bryan Lee O’Malley, published last year by Oni Press, follows a suburban slacker who finds himself in a kung fu tale, battling his dream girl’s seven evil ex-boyfriends to win her hand.

Bacall also has sold spec “Psycho Funky Chimp” to Dimension and set up L.A. graffiti drama pitch Graff with New Line for Noah Emmerich to produce.

“Day of the Deadâ€? remake in work, “Land of the Dead” set for June 24th

Millennium Films, Taurus Entertainment and Emmett/Furla Films are developing a remake of George A. Romero’s 1985 Day of the Dead, which will be financed and distributed through Millennium. Romero’s “Land of the Dead” is set for a June 24th release.

The original film was set in a world overrun by zombies bent on extracting a group of scientists and military personnel who have holed up in an underground bunker. It was a sequel to 1968’s Night of the Living Dead and 1978’s Dawn of the Dead.

The Millennium Films’ project follows last year’s remake of Romero’s Dawn of the Dead, which was both a critical and commercial success and grossed $102 million (£55.9m) worldwide.
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Barker’s “Meat Train” based upon “Books of Blood” series

The celebrated author, artist, and filmmaker, Clive Barker has decided to team up with producer Jorge Saralegui to create a shingle called Midnight Picture Show.

The production gets underway later this year, with Lions Gate prepared to bankroll and distribute. Lakeshore Entertainment has been set to finance it.

They’re going to make movies based upon Barker’s old “Books of Blood” series.
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Madsen talk about Tarantino’s film

Michael Madsen, talking about director Quentin Tarantino’s four hour war epic Inglorious Bastards, slipped a few more details.

Back in March, it was in the news, thanks to Michael, that the film would be released in two parts, ala Kill Bill.

“Quentin’s written it now,” said Madsen, “but we’ve not started shooting yet. I’ve read it and you know the Dirty Dozen? It’s a bit like that.”
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Heather Graham joins the cast of Broken

Heather Graham is certainly not lacking for work. She’s recently joined the cast of the indie film BROKEN for director Alan White.

The film, written by Drew Pillsbury, centers on a waitress (Graham) who, during a long night of work, has to confront “all the wrong turns” she’s made in her life, including her psychotic ex-boyfriend.

Production on BROKEN will begin in Los Angeles in early July. After BROKEN, she’ll segue into her new ABC comedy series “Emily’s Reasons Why Not”, which is based on the Gerlach Cecil’s novel of the same name about a woman who’s good at dishing the advice but not so good at using it.

Finally, next week she’ll start filming the romantic comedy GRAY MATTERS for director Sue Kramer, which tells the story of a woman (Graham) and her brother who fall in love with the same woman. Graham can next be seen in the religious drama MARY.

Katie, Cruises in the Mission Impossible 3 starcast

The starring line-up for the next Mission Impossible: 3 film is anything but certain so far.

It looks like Holmes may be up for a role in Mission: Impossible 3. Ever since J. J. Abrams took over the helm after the departure of Scarlett Johansson from the project, both Lindsay Lohan (Herbie: Fully Loaded) and Keri Russell (from the TV show Felicity) have been mentioned as candidates to play the female lead in Mission Impossible-3. That list grew by two more names this week.

One of the hopefuls is Cruise’s current romantic interest, Katie Holmes. The young starlet from Dawson’s Creek and First Daughter could be Cruise’s partner and love interest in the upcoming spy action movie. Michelle Monaghan (The Bourne Supremacy, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) is also a leading contender for the part. (more…)

Clive Barker shapes up Midnight Picture Show

Clive Barker is teaming with producer Jorge Saralegui to form a new venture called Midnight Picture Show, which intends to produce two horror films per year.

Most of its productions will be based on short stories from Barker’s six-volume The Books of Blood series or on his original ideas.

Among Barker’s many upcoming film projects:

Lakeshore Entertainment has been set to finance “The Midnight Meat Train,” an adaptation of the Barker story about a Gotham-based photographer’s effort to track down “the subway butcher,” a search that leads to an unholy secret. The pic was adapted by Jeff Buhler and will be directed by Patrick Tatopoulous, a horror vet who has done extensive creature and production design work. (more…)