Martha Stephens (“Pilgrim Song“) and Aaron Katz (“Cold Weather“), both graduates from the North Carolina School of Arts, have each cultivated promising film careers for themselves over the past few years (ie. the aforementioned films). Now, they will be co-directing a film they wrote together, a buddy comedy called “Land Ho!” with David Gordon Green (another NCSA alum) hopping on board as an executive producer. The film will star Paul Eenhoorn and Earl Lynn Nelson as ex-brothers-in-law who go on a road trip in Iceland in order to reclaim their youth. Production is already underway in Iceland, a country that Green seems to have taken a shine to, considering his latest “Prince Avalanche” is a remake of the Icelandic “Either Way.” [Deadline]
Speaking of Iceland, Icelandic director Baltasar Kormakur (“2 Guns”, “Contraband”) has officially signed on to write and direct “On the Job” for Universal-based production company, Bluegrass Films. The film’s based on a real scandal where prisoners had been released from prison temporarily to work as contract killers on behalf of politicians and high ranking military officials. The scandal has already been depicted in a Filipino film of the same title, which actually premiered at Cannes’ Directors Fortnight this past year (and we kinda dug it). But before you cry “remake!” Komakur has been developing his version of the events before the Filipino film began production. [Variety]
Lastly, we left you in great suspense a few months ago when it was announced that Legendary Pictures was looking for a director to helm their upcoming “Hot Wheels” movie. Well, folks, you can finally take a breath, the long, arduous wait is over. Veteran second-unit director Simon Crane (“World War Z,” “Men In Black 3”) has been handpicked by the studio to rev up the franchise. Once again, this is a film that is based on the toy cars, in case that was not clear enough. Plus, screenwriter and creator of the classic TV series “Homicide: Life on the Street,” Paul Attanasio, has signed on to rewrite the draft that was previously worked on by Art Marcum and Matt Holloway. So, when can we start talking about the potential cast? [Deadline]
