* Somehow Brett Ratner continues to get work, despite everytime it happens millions of loyal moviegoers throw up their hands in disgust. His next film is something of a departure, as he's set to direct an adaptation of Rick Riordan's young adult adventure series, The 39 Clues
. The first book in the series follows a family who travel throughout history finding clues that will lead them to untold power. Steven Spielberg had optioned the rights to the film back in 2008 but had to pass. Jeff Nathanson(who has worked with Spielberg and Ratner in the past) wrote the script. * After Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
died an agonizing video game death last year, I was seriously worried about Michael Cera's future. I've sorta given up on the idea that he plays the same character all of the time, as he's successfully moved on past that in two films already(Youth in Revolt
, Scott Pilgrim), but that wasn't exactly translating into box office success. His next film probably won't, either, even though it's a departure from anything he's done before. He's set to star in the indie thriller, Magic Magic, about a girl who begins to slowly lose her mind while vacationing with her friends in Chile. She tries to get their attention, but they ignore her until it's too late. Cera's role is yet to be revealed. Sebastian Silva(The Maid
) will both write and direct. * Busy beaver Mark Strong(Green Lantern, Kick-Ass
) has joined the cast of Eran Creevy's crime thriller, Welcome to the Punch, also starring James McAvoy. The script was spotlighted as one of Britain's best last year, and revolves around a London detective(likely McAvoy) who sees his nemesis, an armed robber(likely Strong) return after five years away. The story is being described as having elements similar to that of Michael Mann's Heat
. Expect for the film to be shopped around Cannes with plans for filming to begin in July.
