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FILM/TV BITS: Scott’s ‘Gangster’; David’s ‘Feet’; ‘Tsotsi’ lauded; Murphy’s ‘Starship’; Starz plugs ‘Freedomland.’
*Director Ridley Scott is in negotiations to direct Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe in the 1970s crime drama “American Gangster,” reports Variety. The project, which had been shelved by Universal Pictures in late 2004, has been picked up by producer Brian Grazer with a production start date set for this summer. The story revolves around a Harlem heroin kingpin who comes up with a plan to smuggle heroin in the coffins of American soldiers returning from the Vietnam War.
*Actor Keith David will star in the Broadway production of “Hot Feet,” a musical directed and choreographed by Maurice Hines and featuring the music of Earth, Wind & Fire. According to a press statement, the play is a "Faustian tale about a beautiful young dancer — Kalimba, whose whole life's dreams and ambition are to be a Broadway dancer. Kalimba is cajoled to dance with a pair of magical and enchanted red shoes; when she puts them on they begin to take control of the talented dancer's fate.” “Hot Feet” will play a pre-Broadway engagement at Washington, D.C.'s National Theatre March 18-April 9. Broadway previews are scheduled to begin April 15 with an official opening night set for April 30.
*The South African film "Tsotsi," directed by Gavin Hood, was named best international feature at the closing-night awards ceremony of the 21st annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival, which took place Sunday night (Feb. 12). The film, about a young Johannesburg gang leader, opens in the U.S. on Feb. 24 via Miramax.
*Eddie Murphy has landed a role in the 20th Century Fox film “Starship Dave,” reports Variety. The movie is about a man who emerges unscathed when a giant fireball from space hits New York's Central Park. The man turns out to be a spaceship operated by 100 human-looking aliens who are one-quarter inch tall and seeking a way to save their planet. Complications occur when their captain falls in love with an Earth woman who's always picked losers for previous romances. The film is to be directed by Peter Segal (“The Longest Yard”).
*In celebration of the upcoming theatrical release of Revolution Studios' "Freedomland" on Friday (Feb 17), Starz invites you to spend the night with Samuel L. Jackson as he hosts a night of his films. This special programming event will also feature an exclusive scene and also behind the scenes look at "Freedomland" including interviews from the film's director, Joe Roth, and actors Julianne Moore, Edie Falco and Jackson himself. It all happens on Thursday, February 16 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The film follows a carjacking, a missing child and a neighborhood torn asunder and is based on the best-selling novel by Richard Price. Following the exclusive scene from the film, Starz will air four of Jackson's films including: “The Incredibles” (9 p.m.); “Pulp Fiction” (11 p.m.) “Jackie Brown” (1.40 a.m.) and “In My Country” (4.20 a.m.).
