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

Keira Knightley agreed to appear in her latest film for free. The ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ star appears as Elizabethan lover Constance in 10-minute short film ‘Maze’, the debut of painter Stuart Pearson Wright, for free because she is so in tune with his ideas. The short features the actress and her lover – played by the artist – in full period costume, lost in a maze trying to find each other and was shot in one day for just £15,000. Speaking about her decision to appear in ‘Maze’, Keira told The Independent newspaper: “I loved the idea of doing something that was purely creative, weird and wonderful and not a commercial venture. “Ideas were emailed and then developed at Stuart’s studio over cupcakes and tea, and under the skeleton of his dog, and a film piece was decided on: a collision of our worlds.” The director admits it was a nerve-wracking experience for him to work with such a high-profile actress on his very first film, but insists Keira instantly put him at ease. Stuart said: “I was impressed Keira agreed to do the film straight away. She had the humility to take direction from somebody who lacked experience. “She was as un-diva like as anybody could be, because she is so down to earth. She is not into playing the whole star game. She genuinely loves acting and I think she gives a great performance, in this film, in a very uncomfortable dress.” ‘Maze’ will be premiered alongside Stuart’s latest exhibition, ‘I Remember You’ at London’s Riflemaker Gallery between May 05 and June 06.

Source: Contactmusic

Iconic photographs of Keira Knightley and Kate Moss are to be auctioned off to raise money for a homeless charity. An image of the Pirates of the Caribbean actress in Kenya in 2007 and a picture of the supermodel wearing a torn veil in Marrakech, Morocco in 1993 will be included in the auction at Christie’s in London on Thursday (April 15). The sale, titled A Positive View, will see work by legendary photographers including Mario Testino and Rankin sold off to raise cash for U.K. homeless charity Crisis. British royal Prince William, who is a patron of Crisis, will launch the auction, which will also include a notable photograph of late actress Audrey Hepburn.

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