* A couple of years ago, Tom Cruise experienced something of a career resurgence thanks to his hilarious role as egotistical, foul-mouthed studio exec Les Grossman in Tropic Thunder
. The popularity of the character, combined with Cruise's staggering fall from grace, set into motion a possible spinoff film, with Paramount confirming it in June of last year. Now word comes from comedian Bill Hader who says that the Michael Bacall(Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
) script has been turned in. The thing is, Cruise doesn't really need it anymore, does he? He's already got Mission: Impossible-Ghost Protocol and Rock of Ages coming up. * Scott Cooper really knocked one out of the park as writer, director, and producer of the critically acclaimed country music drama, Crazy Heart
. But ever since he hasn't lined up a heck of a lot even though he's been attached to a number of potential gigs. He did make an appearance alongside his friend Robert Duvall in Get Low last year, but now he's lined up what'll likely be his next writing and directing gig. Deadline reports that Cooper will re-write and direct The Low Dweller, based on a 2008 Black List script from Brad Ingelsby. The title of the film has since been changed to Out of the Furnace, and is described as "a dark drama set in 1986 Indiana. The protagonist is Slim, a man released after serving years in prison for murder who wants only to follow through on his promise to marry his long-suffering girlfriend. But when he discovers his brother has been murdered after getting involved in a gambling racket, his goals change and he avenges the murder."* Alec Baldwin has joined the cast of Woody Allen's as yet untitled film set in Rome. Baldwin has been busy filling his schedule ever since he hightailed it from the disastrous Men in Black III. It'll be the second time Baldwin has worked with the filmmaker, with the last being 1990's Alice
. Penelope Cruz is the only other confirmed for the film at this point. 
