Universal Pictures Intl. has picked up international distribution rights to David Cronenberg’s “A Dangerous Method” in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain and South Africa. The pic, starring Keira Knightley, Viggo Mortensen and Michael Fassbender, will reunite Cronenberg with “Crash” producer Jeremy Thomas. It will begin shooting in Germany in May. HanWay Films will handle international sales and has secured worldwide pre-sale deals with Mars in France, El Films in Canada, Transmission in Australia, Lusomundo in Portugal, Cineart in Benelux, Odeon in Greece and Romania, Monolith in Poland, Discovery in ex-Yugoslavia, Maywin in Russia and Swen in Latin America. The pic is based on the relationships between psychiatrist Carl Jung (Fassbender), his mentor Sigmund Freud (Mortensen) and Sabina Spielrein (Knightley). Pic is co-produced through Thomas’ Recorded Picture Company with Marco Mehlitz of Lago Film in Germany and Marty Katz of ProsperoFilm in Canada. Script is penned by Christopher Hampton (“Dangerous Liasons”) from his own stage play. “We have wanted to work with Jeremy for a long time because he is one of the most commercially and critically successful international producers working today,” said Christian Grass, UPI prexy of international production and acquisitions. ” ‘A Dangerous Method’ has provided the perfect opportunity for us to team up and we’re confident that the pairing of Christopher Hampton’s utterly compelling screenplay with director David Croenenberg’s unique creative vision will result in a film that will resonate with audiences all around the world.”

Source: Variety.com

Matt Damon is set to star in a new period drama alongside Keira Knightley. The ‘Invictus’ star – who already has three movies in the pipeline this year – has reportedly been offered a role in the movie adaptation of the F. Scott Fitzgerald classic ‘Tender Is the Night’, even though no director has been chosen yet by 20th Century Fox. The 39-year-old actor would play a talented young doctor called Dick Diver who lives on the French Riviera in the 1920s with his wife Nicole. The movie, which so far has only a script written by David Nicchols, tells the tale of Dick as he goes through life, weighing up different issues in his mind such as his wife’s wealth. The female lead has been offered to British actress Keira who is said to be keen to star with the American star. ‘Tender Is the Night’ does not yet have a release date.

Source: Contactmusic

A new development on the casting for “The First Avenger: Captain America” has suggested that Marvel Studios’ option on possible leading actresses have narrowed down. Just days after Emily Blunt took herself out of the running, E! Online reported that Keira Knightley is no longer up for the part as Captain America’s girlfriend, Peggy Carter. There are yet details being shared behind the dropping out of the star of “The Duchess”. It is said, though, that her exit has placed British actress Alice Eve as the front runner for the part. Still, Eve who will be seen in “Sex and the City 2″ will face a competition from another British actress Hayley Atwell. Back in early April, Blunt has been reported to have passed on the chance to star as Peggy in favor of other projects. Recent report suggested that the Emily Charlton of “The Devil Wears Prada” turned down Marvel Studios’ offer since she is aiming to take on the role of Catwoman in the upcoming “Batman 3″. “The First Avenger: Captain America” itself has set Chris Evans as the title character, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes and Hugo Weaving as Red Skull. “The Wolfman” director Joe Johnston will serve behind the lens, and production is expected to begin this summer in Europe for July 22, 2011 U.S. release. Source: CelebrityMania.com

Michelle Williams is reportedly in talks to star in upcoming drama The Emperor’s Children. According to The Wrap, Williams is circling one of the three lead roles in the project. The film is an adaptation of Claire Messud’s 2008 novel and is set in the months leading up to and following the September 11 attacks in New York. The story centres on three Brown University graduates in their late twenties who are struggling with their life expectations. Keira Knightley, Richard Gere and Eric Bana have all signed to appear in the movie, directed by Greenberg helmer Noah Baumbach.

Marvel has decided that they want Chris Evans (Fantastic Four) to play the lead in “The First Avenger: Captain America,” but now it seems that Evans will not only be joined by Hugo Weaving (as Red Skull), but also Ryan Phillippe and Keira Knightley (Pirates of the Caribbean). Phillippe recently confirmed that he had auditioned for “Captain America,” but he never actually said that it was for the lead role. Knightley has been in talks with Alice Eve (She’s Out of My League) and Emily Blunt (The Wolfman) for the female role. This news comes from a BleedingCool writer, who was on a bus in London and overheard a woman telling someone on the phone that she is moving on from “The Green Zone” to “Captain America,” and that “Captain America” includes both Phillippe and Knightley as part of the cast. Obviously the source seems a bit ridiculous, but the film is actually getting ready to start filming in London and it’s not out of the realm of possibility that a crew member may have inadvertently revealed something early. Source: WorstPreviews.com

English actress Carey Mulligan is set to play Eliza Doolittle in a remake of the film My Fair Lady. Mulligan, 24, will be following in the footsteps of late actress Audrey Hepburn, who had played the part of Doolittle in 1964. Actress Emma Thompson, who wrote the script for the new version of the film, disclosed Mulligan’s involvement as she attended the premier of her latest Nanny McPhee film. “I think Carey is set to play it, yes,” the Telegraph quoted her as telling BBC Five Live. She also said that she was keen for actor Hugh Grant to play the role of Henry Higgins that had originally been performed by late actor Rex Harrison. “I love Hugh so I’d love him to do it. He might want to, he might not want to, so we don’t know yet. But hopefully we’ll make it later this year,” Thompson added.

Keira Knightley has signed up for The Emperor’s Children. Greenberg director Noah Baumbach is to direct the movie, which is an adaptation of Claire Messud’s best-selling 2006 book. Also lined up for roles are Eric Bana and Richard Gere, according to movie website The Wrap. The novel tells the tale of three graduates from Brown University who are worried about hitting 30 and the level of expectation they have for the work and home lives. It is expected Gere will take a supporting role in the movie, which takes place in the months leading up to and after the September 11 terror attacks which took place in the US in 2001. Keira has a number of movie roles coming up, including a portrayal of writer Zelda Fitzgerald in biopic The Beautiful and the Damned and David Cronenberg drama The Talking Cure – in which Keira will play a character being treated by renowned psychologists Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. The Emperor’s Children is expected to have a 2011 release.