From “Whoa!” to “Action!”: Actor
Keanu Reeves will make his directorial debut with
Man of Tai Chi, scheduled to begin production in February. Reeves will co-star in the picture, which stars Tiger Chen as “a young martial artist whose fighting skills brings him to a realm of vast opportunities, and painful choices.” Chen was a member of the martial arts team in
The Matrix, but he probably won’t be borrowing Reeves’ patented “Whoa!” in the new film. (
The Hollywood Reporter)
The Next ‘Dressed to Kill’: In March, filmmaker
Brian DePalma will begin production on what he says is his first project since
Dressed to Kill that will allow him to “combine eroticism, suspense, mystery and murder into one spell-binding cinematic experience.” Entitled
Passion, it’s a remake of French film
Love Crime;
Noomi Rapace is set to star, with
Rachel McAdams in talks to play the other lead role. (
Thompson on Hollywood)
From Book to Movie Franchise? Critically-acclaimed young adult fantasy novel
Daughter of Smoke and Bone, by Laini Taylor, could be a contender; the book “centers on a young blue-haired girl named Karou who encounters unusual creatures and dangerous angels as she travels the world to carry out mysterious errands.” Universal Pictures has acquired worldwide rights. (
Entertainment Weekly)
Ban on Movie Content Considered: The government of
China wants to pass a law that would ban 13 types of content in movies, including anything that might “propagate obscenity, gambling, drug abuse, violence or terror,” according to a report. The draft law does not define any terms or phrases used. (
The Associated Press)