The Insider
CW to adapt Battle Royale?
The CW network is in preliminary talks over adapting Koushon Takami's cult hit novel Battle Royale as an English-language hour-long dramatic TV series, the LA Times reports. The novel was originally adapted into a feature film in 2000.
Rodriguez goes Gaga for Machete Kills
Director Robert Rodriguez revealed a surprise addition to the cast of his Machete sequel Machete Kills on Twitter when he tweeted about having finished working with pop icon Lady Gaga. The songstress will play a character named La Chameleón in the film which stars Danny Trejo & Mel Gibson.
Dane to depart Grey's Anatomy
Actor Eric Dane is set to depart US ABC's medical drama series Grey's Anatomy, Deadline reports. Dane has played Mark Sloan since the end of Season 2, and will leave the show sometime in the upcoming 9th season.
Gangster Squad delayed to remove shooting scene
In light of the Aurora shooting tragedy in the US, Warner Bros. has opted to move its period mob film Gangster Squad from a September 7 release in the US to January 11 to allow the studio time to excise a shootout scene that takes place in a movie theatre, Deadline reports.
Jackson's Hobbit adaptation to become a trilogy?
Rumours are swirling that director Peter Jackson is considering turning his two film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit into a trilogy. Jackson not only adapted the novel, but the additional 125 pages of appendices that Tolkien wrote which presaged his intent to rewrite The Hobbit.
Rheon joins Game of Thrones
Misfits' Iwan Rheon has reportedly been cast as Ramsay Snow, the Bastard of Bolton, in the upcoming third season of HBO's Game of Thrones, says WinterIsComing.net.
Crowe to direct Hicks biopic
Aussie actor Russell Crowe is set to make his directorial debut on an untitled biopic about late American stand-up comedian Bill Hicks, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. Known for his dark humour, Hicks died of pancreatic cancer in 1994 at age 32.
Worthington counts to Ten with Schwarzenegger?
Sam Worthington is in early talks to join Arnold Schwarzenegger in David Ayer's upcoming action thriller Ten, Variety reports. The film follows an elite DEA task force who are being killed off one by one after robbing a dangerous drug cartel.
