* When Paul Feig(Bridesmaids) dropped out of directing Bridget Jones' Diary 3(who asked for this!?), it was reported that the studio and author Helen Fielding really wanted a Brit to take over. What? We Americans aren't good enough to direct your thick slice of rom-com wish fulfillment about a homely chick(Renee Zellwegger) who somehow has two guys like Colin Firth and Hugh Grant chasing after her? If I cared I'd almost be offended. Anyway, it appears Fielding has found her man as Deadline reports that Peter Cattaneo(The Full Monty) has entered talks to helm the film.By the way, the film also has a title which should explain where the story will go: Bridget Jones' Baby. Time to break out the paternity tests.
* Julia Roberts desperately needs a hit. Not just a film that makes money(unlike Larry Crowne), but also casts her in a way that she can be considered a likable movie star again. That won't happen with Tarsem Singh's Mirror Mirror, but maybe her next film will do the trick. Roberts will produce and star in Second Act, a workplace comedy about a woman who has never had to work forced to take a job. Sounds like pretty light stuff, which is exactly what the doctor ordered. [THR]
* Believe it or not there's a war brewing between two rival studios trying to produce adaptations of The Nutcracker. Earlier this year Universal revealed plans for an adaptation, but where that project stands is unclear. Now New Line Cinema has secured Adam Shankman(Hairspray) to direct a version which will stick closer to the 1816 original short story, which follows a brave nutcracker and an army of dolls that come to life to protect a girl from villainous mice. The plan is to release Shankman's film late in 2013. He's currently working on the jukebox musical, Rock of Ages, which will open on June 1st 2012.
