Though Cusack doesn’t seem like the obvious choice for the lead, it’s actually fitting seeing as both men need a hit. What better way to show some range and stretch himself as an actor than playing a character involved with Viagra-popping, Oxycodone, and yelling “slut” and “prostitute” at young, female college students? I should amend that. What better way to show some range and stretch himself as an actor than playing a character involved with Viagra-popping, Oxycodone, and yelling “slut” and “prostitute” at young, female college students in a non-Hot Tub Time Machine sequel?

Seriously though, how did this role not go to Meat Loaf? (NY Times)

Ian McKellan

The hands down best choice for the role is Sir Ian McKellan. Not only do they share a physical resemblance, but McKellan is an amazing actor that audiences sympathize with even when he’s doing evil things like playing a Nazi or hooking Anna Paquin up to the Statue of Liberty’s laser gyroscope. This is an important quality to have if you want to rely on a battery of attack ads.

Tigger

Probably the most accomplished performer on this list, Tigger has proven himself a box office draw time and time again. Tigger’s career spans over sixty years and he still remains a favorite with kids and adults alike. BUT his works is a little childish. We get it. He likes to bounce. He’s a very physical performer but it’s time that this tiger find a role he can really sink his teeth into. Surely he must be eager to prove he’s also nimble as a dramatic actor. If only Disney would release him from his contract.

Fred Astaire

This one could be a bit tricky. Fred Astaire passed away in 1987 but Hollywood has come a long way since then. Computers today could easily render a Fred Astaire composite to tell the story of Paul‘s race for the presidency. But if they’re going to go to all that trouble, they could just as easily render a composite of Paul himself. Wouldn’t bring in the Broadway crowd though…

Though he does acknowledge this is merely his wishlist for right now, they do have a director on board. That will be announced soon as the script comes together. He also explains that we can expect anything but your run of the mill biopic.

…would be a jukebox musical in earnest, maybe with a couple of new songs. You never know. Because it’s going to be a surreal look at my life, and not just a factual look at my life, more in the manner of a Moulin Rouge! I just don’t want it to be a normal biopic because my life hasn’t been like that.

That’s cool. Still seems pretty weird to be making your own biopic though. (LA Times)

So far, he hasn’t committed to the project, but said at the P.S. Arts Express Yourself Festival:

“Right now I’m just in the thinking-about-it stages. It’s a really big movie and it’s going to be a great movie no matter who writes it.”

Sorkin is now just in the process of reading Walter Isaacson’s biography of the Apple founder and global icon, so let’s not lean on him too hard until he finishes the book, ok? We all know how annoying it can be when someone’s all “Have you finished that book yet? Isn’t it great?”

Well, just imagine that someone is Sony Pictures, and they want you to write their movie. Ugh. That’s worse than any book club.

It makes sense. Sorkin is no stranger to Jobs, having written a remembrance of the man who once approached him to write for Pixar. However, is this project too Aaron Sorkin-y? He’s handled similar subject matter before, and given his personal connection, he might feel compromised when attempting to approach the story from an objective position, especially if he does his writing on a Mac. (LA Times)

The book, intuitively titled Steve Jobs, clocks in at 448 pages and is comprised of interviews with over 40 of his friends, family, and co-workers. Since the book isn’t released for a few weeks, it’s hard to know what to expect from a movie. I would assume it’s going to be like Ray or Walk the Line, but with a lot more turtlenecks and iPhones.

The project hasn’t received the greenlight yet and casting has not been mentioned. But they’re close. Now might be a good time for Jamie Lynn Sigler to start getting sized for dildo octopus monster costumes. (Deadline)

Cooke, the hugely influential soul singer who was tragically murdered in 1964, wrote and recorded the hits “You Send Me,” “Twistin’ The Night Away,” “Only Sixteen,” and “A Change Is Gonna Come,” which became a sort of definitive anthem for the civil rights movement.

ABKCO, the company that owns Cooke’s publishing rights, will produce and self finance the film. No director has been secured yet, so if your reel includes recreated footage of soul legends belting out impassioned hits, you might want to get that to ABKCO, stat. (Hollywood Reporter)

Here’s what we’ve learned about the script Murdoch by Jesse Armstrong (a writer on the hilarious Brit-com Peep Show), which Forbes got ahold of, and it’s being buzzed about around the not-entirely News Corp owned interwebs. It’s an “intimate family drama” full of good old fashioned family backstabbing, based on quasi-actual events:

“Murdoch” takes place over the course of a single day, the Australian-born mogul’s 78th birthday. His third wife, Wendi, has organized a surprise party. Murdoch uses the occasion to make a request of his four adult children: that they agree to alter the terms of the family trust to give his two young daughters from his third marriage voting rights. The children — James, Elisabeth, Lachlan and Prudence — discuss and argue over the request, scheme against each other, form alliances and repeatedly get manipulated by their father. Ultimately, they reject his appeal, each for his or her own reasons.

So not only is it about Murdoch himself, who in one scene calls up Steve Jobs to tell him how much the iPod sucks just to show-off in front of his kids, but the film portrays Murdoch’s family as what sounds like contestants on “Survivor.” Yup, I can see why producers are lining up for this one.

Still, if Mark Zuckerberg can let The Social Network slide with just an awkward “SNL” appearance… Of course, then again, a hip, young celebrity nerd Rupert Murdoch is not. (Forbes)

Fusco is adapting Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley. The story focuses on Elvis’s formative years up until he entered the Army and strays away from the time he died while shitting.

Although there are a glut of Elvis films out there, I’d be interested in seeing one that focuses on his early life. Especially if it is done as thoughtfully as Walk The Line. And also especially if it doesn’t star Robert Pattinson. (Deadline)

Super-German sounding director Florian Gallenberger is attached to rewrite and direct the feature film about the disgraced pop stars. This is the first Hollywood film for Gallenberger, who has won many awards (including an Oscar) for his past works.

There’s no word on casting yet but that shouldn’t be too hard. It’s not like they need actors who can sing. Ha-cha-cha-cha!! (Deadline)

Travolta has had a serious sit down with Marc Fiore – CEO of Fiore Films LLC – about starring as the head of New York City’s Gambino crime family. Nick Cassavetes is in talks to direct and a script has been sent to James Franco, with interest in him portraying John Gotti Jr..

The Gotti Family has been hired to consult on the film so I will end my jokes and wise-ass comments right here. Sounds like a nice film about a hard working bunch of folks. Anyone else looking forward to the Super Bowl? (EW)

According to THR, Berry politely refused the role citing her lack on singing ability, causing Aretha to respond, “Many actors have portrayed vocalists by lip-synching to the artist‘s original recordings.”

To which, Berry jokingly told Ryan Seacrest, “Someone should tell Aretha that I can’t do her justice.”

Franklin then responded, “Bring me Solo and the Wookiee. They will all suffer for this outrage.”

Seems like this back and forth could go on and on. But Aretha just needs to face the fact that Halle isn’t up for the role. She can’t sing and she doesn’t look like a Gorg from “Fraggle Rock.” Nothing about her fits the part. But, who knows, maybe Henson’s Creature Shop can help out with casting.

This is not to be confused with the Malin Akerman film Inferno, which is also about Lovelace. Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman (Howl) will direct a different version of the Linda Lovelace story, which chronicles her ups and down (as in the bobbing of her head) in the 1970s pornography business.

A biopic about the porn industry in the 70s starring James Franco. Who says Hollywood is out of fresh ideas? (Deadline)

I can see it now. “Hello Alma,” ultra super creepy Hitchcock (played by Hopkins) says to his wife and editor Alma Reville in a disturbing whisper. “I think you need to cut a little bit more off that scene,” he says, brandishing a large knife. “Which part? The tail end or the head,” Alma asks, her attention focused on the editing deck. “How about… the neck.” He slices her throat, just like what happened in real life. Yes, that really happened, don’t consult Wikipedia or his many biographies.

Actually, Hopkins has been rumored to play the North By Northwest director for years, when Ryan Murphy was attached to the project. Murphy’s version didn’t come together, and he later went on to create something far scarier than anything Hitchcock ever made: “Glee.” (/Film)

Based on the upcoming biography Bye, Bye Life: The Loves and Deaths of Bob Fosse by Sam Wasson, Singer is attached to direct, executive produce and bring a potentially not-gay audience to a film that would only have been watched by all-gays otherwise. The film is in early development, and no writer or cast is on board yet. However, when they do get on board, you can bet they’ll be wearing bowler hats and will do lots of weird looking hip thrusts. (Hollywood Reporter)

What this trailer sets out to do is really sell you the 3D element of the film. In other words, make you want to pay a higher ticket price. There’s SILLY STRING and IT COMES RIGHT AT YOU!!! $25, please. I see what these marketing folks are up to. For me though, if they really wanted to sell it, they’d show a 3D water bottle flying at his head during that last shot on stage. Missed opportunity right there.

^{Ritual pre-concert round of Peek-a-boo.}

And now for the part of the job I hate the most — having a hand in promoting Justin Bieber. But that’s the job, and I knew that full well when I agreed to $4.25 an hour. Anyhow, the little sh*t and new "Punk’d" host is back with Never Say Never, a "biopic" about the time Justin filmed a concert in New York last month. This is mixed with behind the scenes footage, home movies, and interviews with his manager, who says only nice things for fear of being punched in the balls again.

You really did it Justin, even though "they" said you couldn’t. Help yourself to a hard-earned juicebox.

Check out the trailer after the jump (if you want)…

Justin Bieber- Never Say Never Movie Trailer Official (HD) – Watch more Funny Videos

Could we see Zach Galifianakis playing John Belushi in the near future? Possibly. THR has news that Todd Phillips and screenwriter Steven Conrad are developing a biopic about the comic legend at Warner Bros. Nearly thirty years after his death from a drug overdose, Belushi remains one of the most-respected names in comedy due to his classic films, "SNL" characters, and general fearlessness that he poured into his work.

Casting for this needs to be perfect or else the project is sunk. Names like Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, and Ethan Suplee have been thrown into the mix, but I feel like casting directors need look no further than comedian Sean Patton. This man is his exact double. If we can almost make Donald Glover a Spider-man, we can do this. Here’s a clip of Patton killing on Jimmy Fallon:

In the interest of full disclosure, I’m not sure that he can do Belushi’s eyebrow thing.

^{Is he wearing lipstick?}

Yesterday it seemed a little odd when it was announced that Oscar-winning director Davis Guggenheim would direct the upcoming 3D Justin Bieber biopic. And I guess it seemed odd to Guggenheim too, because he has just taken himself off the project according to Deadline. Guggenheim cites "scheduling conflicts" as the reason for his departure, but we all know that’s just Hollywood speak for "This diminutive singing child punches people in the balls. I’m not willing to put my balls at risk to work with him."

So as of right now, the very important film is left without a director. I think what Justin needs most is someone who can really identify with him. Someone who knows his music inside and out. Someone with Doritos breath. If only such a person existed.

Shortly after it was announced that diminutive singing child Justin Bieber would pen the very important memoir Justin Bieber: First Step 2 Forever: My Story, we now have more details on that 8 Mile thing he’s doing for money.

Paramount Pictures has made a deal to turn Justin Bieber‘s life story into a 3D feature biopic. Davis Guggenheim, the Oscar-winning director of An Inconvenient Truth, is negotiating to direct.

The biopic is set for a Valentine’s Day release and will also include footage from Bieber‘s upcoming concert at Madison Square Garden. It’s uncertain how much of the film will cover Bieber getting hopped up on Sour Patch Kids and punching his manager in the balls. Probably like two-thirds. (Deadline)

^{Bieber practices for his wedding night.}

Diminutive singing child Justin Bieber has announced his plans to break into Hollywood. Not only will the sheepdog-banged heartthrob be seen in Gary Marshall‘s Valentine’s Day follow-up New Year’s Eve, but will also star in a biopic about his own life.

Please shout the specifics at us, HollywoodLife:

The Biebster is about to become a movie star!

HollywoodLife.com can exclusively confirm that a script similar to the 2002 film 8 Mile is  in development – and close to completion! “There currently isn’t a final script, but just like Eminem did in 8 Mile, Justin will star!” an industry insider tells us.

Ow! My ears. No one other than "the Biebster" has been attached just yet, but I’m excited to see Usher wear those Mekhi Phiffer 8 Mile dreadlocks when Pubeless: The Justin Bieber Story comes to theaters Christmas Day 2011.

Sharon Osbourne is saying things. While promoting "Celebrity Apprentice," the reality show fixture revealed that a biopic about her slurry, hard-partying husband will soon go into production. The film, tentatively titled HurblemunbletopSHARON!!!!!!!, has a producer and lots of money according to Sharon.

No cast or director have been announced yet but the production is said to be going with at unknown for the lead role. This could be the big break I’ve been waiting for. But here it is nearly 8:30 a.m. and I’m still sober. Time to go method. **pours tequila into bowl of Smart Start; snorts a line of kitty litter** YAHTZEE!!!! (Digital Spy)