* Universal's planned reboot of The Mummy franchise is going to need a new director, as Len Wiseman (Underworld) has been forced to drop out over scheduling issues. Production is still moving forward while the search is on for someone to replace him immediately, as shooting is expected to begin soon in hopes of hitting theaters next summer. Producers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman are heading up this version of The Mummy, which earned more than $1B over the course of the previous Brendan Fraser-led trilogy. The script by Jon Spaihts (Prometheus) is said to rely more on horror and sci-fi elements, set in a modern context.
* Josh Friedman is no stranger to science fiction, and specifically he knows a thing or two about the sci-fi worlds of James Cameron, having created the short-lived Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles TV series. Cameron must have liked what he saw because Friedman has just been brought on to do some rewrite work on the Avatar 2 script. Plot and actual timelines remain a little vague, but it appears Cameron is aiming for production on Avatars 2 & 3 to kick off early next year for possible release in 2015 and 2016. We know the film will include some extensive underwater sequences, and of course the most advanced technology Cameron has been developing over the last few years. [TheWrap]
* Rob Corddry has been everywhere lately, from Warm Bodies to The Way Way Back to the upcoming horror comedy Hell Baby, and now he'll be making a Sex Tape. Corddry has joined the raunchy comedy which reunites Cameron Diaz and Jason Segel with their Bad Teacher director, Jake Kasdan. They play a married couple who decide to spice things up by making a sex tape, but when it goes missing they freak out and the search is on. Corddry will play their friend who joins in on the hunt. Corddry has also appeared in this year's Pain & Gain and Lake Bell's indie comedy In a World..., and just wrapped on Hot Tub Time Machine 2. So yeah, dude's been busy. [THR]
