Disney Hires New Writer For PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN 5

Variety is reporting Disney has hired another writer to tackle the script for Pirates of The Caribbean 5. Jeff Nathanson best known for writing Catch Me If You Can and Terminal has landed the screenwriting gig. However, he also worked on Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skulls, Speed 2, Tower Heist and Rush Hour 3. A majority of these credits don't scream quality but he might be working on existing drafts. Depp is likely a sure-thing but returning cast members such as Geoffrey Rush and others are currently unknown.

Last we heard On Strange Tides director Rob Marshall confirmed franchise writer Terry Rossio was working on the script. It seemed that Marshall was open to directing it as well. However, CinemaBlend listed a group of hopefuls Disney was looking to direct the fifth installment if Rob didn't return. That list included Tim Burton (Alice In Wonderland), Sam Raimi (Oz, The Great And Powerful), Shawn Levy (Real Steal), Chris Weitz (About A Boy, A Better Life), and Alfonso Cuaron (Children of Men).

Jane Goldman Could Write Tim Burton's PINOCCHIO Starring Robert Downey Jr.

HeatVision reports that screenwriter Jane Goldman (Kick-Ass, Stardust, Woman In Black, X-Men First Class) is in talks with Warner Bros. to write Pinocchio. A live-action re-telling of the classic Italian fairytale. It could see Tim Burton directing with Robert Downey Jr. in the lead as Geppetto. Everyone involved so far are just in talks and haven't officially signed on. I assume their involvement would hinge on Goldman's script.

"Geppetto, the woodcarver who creates a puppet who dreams of becoming a real boy and whose nose grows when he tells a lie. When Pinocchio goes missing, Geppetto embarks on a quest to reunite with his marionette."

New 'DARK SHADOWS' Stills

New Dark Shadows Posters Get More Creative But Still Colorful

Dark Shadows Character Posters

Poster For Tim Burton's Dark Shadows

Dark Shadows Trailer Is Amusing And Visually Stunning

A Slew Of New Dark Shadows Stills

Elle Fanning In Talks For Princess Aurora In Disney's Maleficent

Twitch reports that the rising star Elle Fanning is now in talks to take the Sleeping Beauty role as Princess Aurora in Disney's Maleficent. The film produced by Joe Roth (Alice In Wonderland, Oz The Great And Powerful) has Angelina Jolie attached to play the villainous sorceress. Along with former production designer Robert Stromberg set to direct. Fanning has been having an amazing run of projects recently with roles in films like Benjamin Button, Somewhere, Super 8 and We Bought A Zoo.

UPDATE: HeatVision adds that Disney is looking for a June production start in London.

Cool Hand Drawn Dark Shadows Magazine Cover

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter International Trailer

New Dark Shadows Image Features Eva Green

New Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter Images

New Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Poster

Robert Downey Jr. And Tim Burton Could Make Live-Action Pinocchio Film

HeatVision reports that Tim Burton is interested in directing a live-action version of Pinocchio for Warner Bros. Oddly enough, they mention that Robert Downey Jr. could end up playing Geppetto who is the lead character in the adventure tale. Neither have signed onto the project but Robert seems keen on working with Burton. I'm just glad to hear someone other than Depp is attached to the movie.

Robert Stromberg Will Direct Maleficent For Disney

Disney originally had Tim Burton set to direct Maleficent (a reimagining of Sleeping Beauty) with Angelina Jolie in mind to star as the villain. The project came about during the massive success of Burton's take on Alice In Wonderland. Disney hoped he could bring the same kind of magic for a new live-action Sleeping Beauty film. It's unknown if Jolie will indeed will end up in the role of Maleficent as it hasn't been made official. Deadline reports that Robert Stromberg will replace Burton as the movie's director. Stromberg is mostly known as production designer and apart of visual effects department on some rather large films.

His credits include production designs for Avatar, Alice In Wonderland and Sam Raimi's Oz, The Great And Powerful. Robert also did visual effects on Boardwalk Empire, The Pacific. Tropic Thunder, Pirates: At World's End, Solaris (2002), Bad Boys 2, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Chronicles of Riddick, Pan's Labyrinth and Shutter Island. I have a strong feeling that this film will end up looking gorgeous but ends up more similar to the tone of Snow White And The Huntsmen.

It's interesting to see how Disney handles their live-action tentpoles considering they have to make these films different enough from their Marvel superhero films. Lone Ranger and Oz seem to keep Disney's fantasy tradition intact while staying in their respected genres. I assume like Alice, Maleficent could look unrecognizable from the original animated film.

Seth Grahame-Smith's Unholy Night Bought By Warner Bros.

Seth Grahame-Smith's next novel Unholy Night hasn't even been released yet but it's getting interest from one studio. Deadline reports that Warner Bros. has nabbed the film rights for Seth's next novel for a whopping $2 million. Seth along with writing partner David Kratzenberg will also write the movie's script. This isn't surprising since his two other books Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and Pride And Predjudice And Zombies have also been turned into movies. Grahame-Smith has previously worked with the studio writing Tim Burton's Dark Shadows and the sequel to Beetlejuice.

In Grahame-Smith’s telling, the so-called “Three Wise Men” are infamous thieves, led by the dark, murderous Balthazar. After a daring escape from Herod’s prison, they stumble upon the famous manger and its newborn king. The last thing Balthazar needs is to be slowed down by young Joseph, Mary and their infant. But when Herod’s men begin to slaughter the first born in Judea, he has no choice but to help them escape to Egypt.

Empire's Set Images From Tim Burton's Dark Shadows