Casting: Charlie Hunnam Says ‘A Prayer Before Dawn,’ Ricky Gervais & Eric Bana Are ‘Special Correspondents’ & More

Are you ready for a movie described as a mix of “The Raid” and “Drive“? If the answer is yes, “A Prayer Before Dawn” promises that blend, with Charlie Hunnam signing on for the movie “based on the true-life story of Billy Moore’s incarceration in a barbaric Thai prison, Klong Prem (aka the Bangkok Hilton); he starts to train in the art of Muay Thai Boxing.” An adaptation of Moore’s book, with Jean-Stephane Sauvaire (“Johnny Mad Dog“) directing, filming starts next summer. [Screen Daily]

Paz Vega joins Sarah Jessica Parter, the legendary Claudia Cardinale, Rosie Day, and Raoul Bova in the romantic comedy “All Roads Lead To Rome.” Currently filming, the story follows “an uptight woman (Parker) and her former Italian lover (Bova) who go on a road trip around Italy to pursue her rebellious daughter (Day).” Ella Lemhagen directs. [Screen Daily]

Ricky Gervais and Eric Bana are teaming up for the comedy “Special Correspondents.” Gervais also wrote the script and will direct the movie about a struggling New York-based radio journalist whose arrogance and decadent lifestyle has hindered his career. With his job on the line he fakes front line war reports from the comfort of his hideout above a Spanish restaurant in the heart of Manhattan. Production begins next spring.

The never ending shoot on “Batman v. Superman: Dawn Of Justice” has forced Wonder Woman Gal Gadot to drop out of “Ben-Hur.” It looks like the villain here is over-scheduling. [THR]

Jon Bernthal, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Oscar Jaenada, and Mehdi Dehbi, are joining Catherine Zeta-Jones in the drug drama “The Godmother.” Eva Sørhaug directs the movie about “the notorious Colombian drug queenpin Griselda Blanco, also known as ‘The Godmother of Cocaine.” Cameras roll in the spring. [The Wrap]

Julia Stiles and Ray Liotta are coming aboard “Go With Me” starring Anthony Hopkins. The movie is set in a “logging community and centers on a young woman newly returned to her hometown who becomes the subject of harassment by a crimelord who operates with impunity. She enlists the help of an ex-logger, played by Hopkins, and his laconic young sidekick.” Okay. Daniel Alfredson (“The Girl Who Played with Fire”) directs, with filming starting in November. [Variety]