Nov 6 2009 Bradley Cooper Joins Crazy Power-Granting Pill Movie

Forget mobile phone-based thrillers, everyone. We've got a new ridiculous, specific brand of mysterious-agents-chasing-a-guy thriller on the way that sounds even better (stupider): the magic pill that makes you rich and powerful thriller! Finally, a film that turns Kids in the Hall's Brain Candy into something terrible. From Variety:

"The Hangover" star Bradley Cooper has signed on to star in Relativity Media suspense thriller "Dark Fields."

Neil Burger ("The Illusionist") is onboard to direct.

Project is described as a what-if story about a designer drug that can make you rich and powerful. Eddie (Cooper) is a down-and-out New York writer until he possesses a pill that gives him the ability to access the full capacity of his brain. He soon realizes that his newfound intelligence and success come at a hefty price as mysterious forces begin to pursue him.

That sounds really good. I really wish I could buy the cocktail napkin where the writer first scrawled, "something with some kind of really awesome pill?" That's going to be worth so much some day.

Jul 28 2009 'Rats of NIMH' Bringing Additional Talking Animals to Screens

If any Blockbusters are still not out of business, it's time for you guys to add a "Live-Action with Talking, CGI Rodents" section. THR is reporting the burgeoning, aggravating genre will be adding another title to its ranks, with The Illusionist writer/director Neil Burger adapting Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH for Paramount.

As you may recall, animator Don Bluth first attempted to bring the Newberry Medal-winning children's book to screens in the early '80s with The Secret of NIMH, shoehorning in some swords-and-sorcery elements that left children scratching their heads at the addition while also saying, "Rad--Swords! And Sorcery!" It's still unclear exactly what direction Burger's adaptation will take, but the involvement of a Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D producer and early (probably unfair) comparisons to Alvin and the Chipmunks are already worrisome.

Hopefully this version will stick closer to the book and its more serious, allegorical themes. Or at least get Robin Williams to the voice of the crow, and have a part where he gets hit in the balls and it makes his voice really high. Either would be enjoyable.

Below the cut, the Don Bluth's 1982 Secret of NIMH trailer.

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