* It's unfortunate that so many ignored Dredd last year, but I'm happy to see it hasn't slowed down screenwriter Alex Garland. He's set to make his directorial debut with Ex Machina, a sci-fi film he also wrote. Scott Rudin is producing the $15M picture, which centers on a billionaire programmer who handpicks a young employee to spend a week at his remote estate and participate in a test involving his latest invention: an artificially intelligent female robot. Sounds pretty cool, and Garland has proven himself a scribe capable of exploring complicated issues. His breakout hit was with Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later, and also wrote Never Let Me Go starring Carey Mulligan. [THR]
* Already busy prepping Shawn Levy's This is Where I Leave You, and getting ready for the new season of Arrested Development, Jason Bateman is adding another potential project to his slate. He's set to produce and possibly star in Family Therapy, an original comedy-drama from writer Jay Weiss. Universal Pictures has acquired the film, which follows adysfunctional family who hire a therapist to fix all of their problems on the eve of a wedding. Bateman was recently seen in the comedy hit, Identity Thief, and will appear next as part of the Disconnect ensemble. [Deadline]
* Chris Rock hasn't directed a film since 2007's I Think I Love My Wife, but he's now secured financing for his next project behind the lens. Busy super-producers Scott Rudin and Barry Diller will produce Rock's next untitled film, which the comedian also wrote, described as an edgy comedy-romance set in the world of showbiz. Rock can be seen this summer alongside Adam Sandler in Grown Ups 2. [Deadline]
