* Here's hoping Jim Sheridan is able to rebound after the atrocity that was Dream House. The veteran filmmaker is set to write and direct a reimagining of Into The West, Mike Newell's 1992 Irish fairy tale about two poor Irish boys who dream of becoming cowboys. When the magical white horse given to them by their grandfather is stolen, they set off to find it. Sheridan actually co-wrote the original film, which co-starred Gabriel Byrne and Ellen Barkin. This version will be set in the United States. [Screen Daily]
* Christopher Meloni(Law & Order: SVU) is set to play Los Angeles Dodgers manager Leo Derocher in 42, the biopic on color barrier shattering Hall of Famer, Jackie Robinson. Directed by Brian Helgeland, Meloni will join newcomer Chadwick Boseman as Robinson, and Harrison Ford as Dodgers owner Branch Rickey. [Deadline]
* The full cast for the umpteenth version of Romeo and Juliet, this one directed by Carlo Carlei(Fluke) has been announced as production has begun in Italy. Already set to star Hailee Steinfeld and Douglas Booth as the two ill-fated lovers, with Paul Giamatti and Ed Westwick co-starring, the film has now added Lesley Manville(Another Year), Tomas Arana, Christian Cooke, Damien Lewis, Lesley Manville, Natasha McElhone, Laura Morante, Stellan Skarsgard and Leon Vitali.The script is being adapted by Julian Fellowes(Gosford Park). [THR]
