Spike Lee

The true story follows Herman Perry, a black Army private during World War II who snapped and went AWOL after shooting an unarmed white lieutenant. Instead of facing the gallows, he ran deep into the Southeast Asian jungle and ended up living with the natives.

I haven’t read the book, but it sounds like a great story that will make a fantastic movie with Spike Lee at the helm. I wonder who they’ll get to play the main character. I kind of hope it’s not Will Smith, because I can’t really see him in that role.

I picture someone more like Derek Luke (pictured). In fact, I’d bet that he might end up in the role, because “Miracle at St. Anna,” in which Luke starred, was also a 40 Acres and a Film movie.

Any thoughts on that? Think I’m right?

Image: Miracle at St. Anna, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, 2008

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Such is the premise of “The How-To Guide for Saving the World,” an action comedy picked up by MGM with Barry Sonnenfeld attached to direct and produce.

Apparently, the script by BenDavid Grabinski landed enough votes among execs to make this year’s unofficial Black List of “most liked” screenplays.

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Sonnenfeld says, “I loved the writing and the concept: What would happen if, one afternoon, the secret group that protects Earth from alien invaders was wiped out? Fortunately, they left behind an instruction manual for saving Earth. Unfortunately, a non-action-hero guy — not unlike me in terms of manliness — and a woman who hates him find the book and have to save the planet from an impending attack.”

Sonnenfeld has a history of working with Will Smith (“Men in Black,” “Wild, Wild West”), so I wonder if he’ll be cast as the lead … inquiring minds…

Image: Barry Sonnenfeld, Big Trouble, Touchstone Pictures, 2002

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Now she’s lined up two projects. One is a romantic comedy called “20 Times a Lady.” Jennifer Crittenden and Gabrielle Allan wrote the script, based on the book by Karyn Bosnak. It centers on a woman who journeys through her sexual past in an effort to find Mr. Right, wondering if a person’s sexual quota matters. I’m thinking of that scene in “Four Weddings and a Funeral” where Andie MacDowell and Hugh Grant discuss their past lovers.

The other is an untitled Paramount project – a female buddy comedy following two estranged sisters who team up to land a husband.

Image: The House Bunny, Columbia Pictures, 2008

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Anyway, pretty soon, we’ll all know where Tarzan is, because he’s making a comeback to the big screen. But don’t expect the same-old-same-old on this one.

Director Stephen Sommers (”The Mummy”) and screenwriter Stuart Beattie (”Australia”) are ditching the boy-raised-by-apes story for a 1930’s action caper with lots of romance.

They’re saying it’ll be similar to “Pirates of the Caribbean” with tanned-and-toned actors flying through the jungle and sprinting up trees. Yeah, I guess it could work, especially since Beattie penned an early draft of “Pirates,” and we all know how well that franchise has done.

Image: Stephen Sommers, Van Helsing, Universal, 2004

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For all you Bluth fans out there, Howard said an “Arrested Development” movie is definitely in a go mode! And they’ve got “a narrator who just can’t wait to get to the microphone,” giving a nod to himself, of course. And I, for one, can’t wait to see it in a theater. Check it out:

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Here’s the cool thing: Nanette Burstein (pictured), who helmed the documentary/film fest darling “American Teen,” is attached to direct, while Adam Shankman and Jennifer Gibgot are producing via their Offspring Entertainment.

Shankman became a household name, after directing “Hairspray.” Who else could breathe new life into John Travolta by making him a woman?

Some great people are helming this one, and I’m looking forward to it.

Image: American Teen, Paramount Vantage, 2008

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In the oh-no-not-another-remake department, “The Karate Kid” remake is a go at Columbia, with Jaden Smith in the title role. That’s Jaden, pictured, along with his dad, Will Smith, at the Los Angeles premiere of “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” on Oct. 26, 2008. Look at that face!

Rumors have been circulating for a while, but a note landed in my inbox today confirming the casting of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith’s offspring. Jaden co-starred along with his dad in “The Pursuit of Happyness” (which I loved).

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Jerry Weintraub will produce, along with James Lassiter, Will Smith and Ken Stovitz from a script by Chris Murphy.

Shooting will begin next year in Beijing and other cities. While the new film will be set in that exotic locale, it will borrow elements of the original plot, wherein a bullied youth learns to stand up for himself with the help of an eccentric mentor.

Good news? Jaden Smith is a gifted actor who brings a lot to any role he plays. I’ll look forward to seeing what he does with “The Karate Kid.”

Image: Newscom

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Robert Sanchez

Sanchez says he’s not sure if McG has been signed, whether he’s one of many names the studio is circulating, or whether McG himself is lobbying for the job. But Sanchez heard the story from a few other sources, as well.

McG has a few chops to his name, including “Terminator: Salvation,” which he’s currently working on with Christian Bale. He’s also an executive producer on “Supernatural,” and was set to direct “Superman” at one time.

Stay tuned for further updates!

Image: We Are Marshall, Warner Bros. Pictures, 2006

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“Death at a Funeral”

I should watch it soon, so I can compare with the remake coming up. Chris Rock is on board to produce, star, and co-write the script with Aeysha Carr. Sidney Kimmel is part of the producing team.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the new movie is an ensemble comedy that takes place in urban American. It centers on a funeral that devolves into a debacle of misplaced cadavers, indecent exposure and family secrets. The cast will be primarily black, in contrast to the earlier, England-set version’s British cast.

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Sounds funny! I can totally see Chris Rock bringing this to life. It also marks the first Sidney Kimmel Entertainment production since the company announced a few months ago that it would focus on more commercial films. Recent less-commercial endeavors include “Synecdoche, New York” and “Lars and the Real Girl.”

And by the way, if you haven’t seen “Lars and the Real Girl,” you should really see it. Read my review here.

Image: Chris Rock, Head of State, Dreamworks, 2003

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