Your morning trade news not worth writing stories in earnest about…
R&B singer Mary J. Blige has joined the cast of Tyler Perry’s next Lionsgate monstrosity “I Can Do Bad” which also stars Taraji P. Henson (the best part of “Benjamin Button”). Blige will stretch her abilities by playing a singer and a nightclub manager, no “plot” is known yet. [Variety]
Catherine Hardwicke and Summit Entertainment have kissed and made up. She’ll be directing the fantasy-drama “If I Stay.” Summit once said they fired her off “New Moon,” and Hardwicke said she quit. Now Summit all but calls her a “visionary” director. “When we were thinking of the perfect director to capture the emotion, grace and passion of this beautiful book, one filmmaker became the clear and only choice: Catherine Hardwicke.” Maybe some had nude photos of the Summit Prez. [Variety]
George Lucas Loves “The Wire”?
Though offers have apparently gone out to Terrence Howard and R&B singer NeYo, Andre Royo (from “Oz”), Nate Parker (from “The Great Debaters”), British actor David Oyelowo, plus Barry Pepper (“Saving Private Ryan”) and Bryan Cranston, it’s former “The Wire”/ current “90210” star Tristan Wilds (Michael Lee from David Simon’s epic show) who has signed on for the George Lucas-produced/created film, “Red Tails,” which centers on African American fighter pilots in WWII. Another ‘Wire’ actor, Rick Otto — who played one of the semi-minor Caucasian cops — has also joined the cast. Maybe they should hire Omar too. [THR]
Rainn Wilson and Sarah Silverman are in negotiations to join Michael C. Hall (“Dexter”) and comedian Ben Schwartz have been cast in the family drama, “Peep World,” which chronicles squabbling siblings fighting about a thinly veiled novel that describes them unfavorably. The guy who helmed “The Ringer” with Johnny Knoxville (Barry Blaustein) will direct. [THR]
