* Lisa Marie had a pretty good run of film roles for awhile, earning spots in Mars Attacks!, Sleepy Hollow, and Planet of the Apes. The common thread? Tim Burton, who she was dating at the time. While she hasn't been on screen since 2001, Rob Zombie has signed her on to his next film, The Lords of Salem. She'll play Priscilla Reed, a woman who supports the violent cause of the coven wreaking havoc in the modern world.
* After far too many years away, Alexander Payne(Sideways) suddenly finds himself very busy. He's set to make his mark on the Oscar race next month with The Descendants, starring George Clooney. And earlier this year we learned of Nebraska, a road trip film about an alcoholic father who takes his estranged son on a trek from Montana through Omaha on their way to claim a sweepstakes prize. At the time, Payne was aiming for Casey Affleck and Robert Forster to star, but then the project was derailed when Paramount balked at the idea of the film being shot in black and white. Well Payne's creative vision won out, only now the budget has been slashed and a big name star a new requirement. Reports are that Payne is now considering the retired Gene Hackman, Robert Duvall, and Jack Nicholson. Forster is still in the picture, but would you pick him over those three? Me neither. [Vulture]
* America's Next Top Model cycle 13 winner Nicole Fox is set to make her feature film debut with the indie drama, Sprawl. The story is "a glimpse into the life of a self mutilating outcast teenage girl". Dean Ronalds is directing, based on a script by Dominic Migliore. [Variety]
