Oscar Winning Writer Mark Boal Working On Sony's UNCHARTED Movie And Chris Pratt Passes On Lead

THR is reporting that Sony has tasked Oscar winning screenwriter Mark Boal (Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty) to pen the newest script for Sony's Uncharted film. The film is based on the wildly successful and immersive games. Sony owns the rights outright and have made a name by developing cinematic games thanks to developer Naughty Dog. They also have Sam Raimi developing an adaptation of The Last of Us. Boal is apparently a fan of the games, which isn't hard to imagine since it's a massive best seller.

David O'Russell was once attached to write and direct the film, with Mark Wahlberg in the lead role. That whole deal broke-down and director Seth Gordon (Horrible Bosses) stepped-in. Chris Pratt (Jurassic World, Lego Movie, Guardians of The Galaxy) had been offered the lead role, but passed on it. Wahlberg teaming-up with Peter Berg (Lone Survivor) on The Six Billion Dollar Man, likely means Mark is out as well. Pratt's Marvel and Jurassic World contracts could be the reason he passed on the film. He might be committed to a Guardians trilogy, the two Avengers: Infinity War films and Jurassic World sequels. That doesn't leave much room for an Uncharted trilogy for Sony.

SOURCE: THR

HORRIBLE BOSSES Director Seth Gordon Will Direct UNCHARTED Movie

Deadline has an update concerning Sony's Uncharted movie, which lost director David O. Russell a while back. They say that Seth Gordon (King of Kong, Horrible Bosses, Identity Theft) has signed on to direct the video game adaptation. Fingers crossed, Gordon isn't eyeing the awfully dull Jason Bateman for the charming Nathan Drake. The film's recent script was penned by David Guggenheim (Safe House), who was recently hired to write Bad Boys 3 for the studio.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

Seth Gordon And Jason Segel Teaming On Comedy Based On Real-Life Maple Syrup Heist, Please Sony Call This STICKY FINGERS

Deadline reports yet another comedy project being setup at Sony. They reveal that the studio is putting together a heist comedy based on the real-life maple syrup theft in Quebec. Which saw a group stealing 20 million dollars worth of maple syrup. The comedy has Horrible Bosses and Identity Theft director Seth Gordon set to direct with Jason Segel (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Five-Year Engagement) attached to star. Family Guy writer Chris Sheridan is currently putting the script together. Segel is currently shooting Sex Tape which is another comedy from Sony.

Jon Favreau Joins 'IDENTITY THEFT'

ShowBlitz reports that actor turned director Jon Favreau (Swingers, Iron Man) will join the cast of Identity Theft. It seems that pre-production on Jon's next directorial effort Disney's Magic Kingdom has stalled allowing him to take a supporting role. The comedy from director Seth Gordon which stars Jason Bateman and Oscar nominated comedian Melissa McCarthy. Gordon's first fray into feature films was last year's comedy hit Horrible Bosses which seemed to be the first funny performance from Jason Bateman in years. It should be interesting to see who else will fill out the cast. Oddly enough, the very unfunny Amanda Peet (known for box office comedy bombs) is also involved, so this movie could go either way.

Seth Gordon To Direct Identity Theft

Deadline reports that Horrible Bosses director Seth Gordon has signed on to direct Identity Theft. Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids) are locked in for the two leads. The film's script has been changed to accommodate Melissa so there isn't an updated synopsis attached to the story. The two actors are both coming off successful summer comedies which could end up with sequels. I have to admit I loved Horrible Bosses and I think director Seth Gordon had a lot to do with it. I'll be keeping an eye on this one which I don't often say about comedies with Bateman involved. I'm crossing my fingers that Charlie Day ends up with a major role.