* Now that Shawn Levy is out of the way and replaced by Paul McGuigan(Push) as director, Fox is moving forward on their revisionist take on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, and they may have just landed their first big name to headline it. Daniel Radcliffe is reportedly interested in taking on the lead role of the Hunchback in the film, which features a much-hyped script by Max Landis(Chronicle) that features sci-fi elements. The Hunchback is described as "pathologically dirty and dressed in old clowns clothing", which is definitely a departure from the norm. I can't see Radcliffe in the role, but I'm basing that on a traditional interpretation of the character. Another pass at the script will be made before final talks on casting commence. [TheWrap]
* Oh, and you thought Nicholas Sparks movies were over!? No no no, kemosabe, more easily digestible tragi-romance crap is headed your way. Enjoy. Michael Hoffman(The Last Station) will direct The Best of Me, which you'll be shocked....SHOCKED to learn is about two lovers from opposite sides of the tracks who are derailed by unforeseen events, only to be reunited years later by a tragedy. >sigh< Hoffman is so much better than this. Sparks pitched the story to Warner Bros. before he even wrote the book(ugggghhhhh), proving that he's pooping out this stuff so he can get movie deals out of them. Will Fetters, who wrote the most recent Sparks drivel The Lucky One, is being eyed to rewrite the script. [Deadline]
* The always versatile Ben Kingsley is eying a role in Mary Mother of Christ, and as you might expect it's a film about Jesus' mommy. Yep, another Biblical epic for you to chew on, folks. Already starring Peter O'Toole, Julia Ormond, and Odeya Rush(The Odd Life of Timothy Green) as Mary, the story follows her defiance of the king in order to save her son. Kingsley is interested in playing King Herod, who didn't take too kindly to Jesus being known as the "king of the Jews". Judi Dench and Hugh Bonneville are being targeted for roles as well. Alister Grierson(Sanctum) is directing. [TheWrap]
