· District 9's breakout director Neill Blomkamp has set up his next film, an untitled outer space project financed by Media Rights Capital which will go into production next year. "I'm not particularly interested in massive budget films, or creating huge spectacles that some young directors might be attracted to," Blomkamp said. "It is absolutely another science fiction film, quite different from District 9, but some of the blending of genres and the tone might be within the same realm." This time, mentor Peter Jackson won't be involved; expect a significant reduction in the number of ultimate special Blu-Ray editions. [Variety]
Neil Patrick Harris and Anne Hathaway get animated, Ghost in the Shell finds a new writer, and more Hollywood Ink after the jump.
· In the wake of the unexpectedly enormous Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Anne Hathaway, Neil Patrick Harris and Rodrigo Santoro are coming on board Rio, the next animated film from Blue Sky Studios, Fox Animation and director Carlos Saldanha. I can almost see the dollar bills coming at me in 3D. [THR]
· Justin Theroux will produce and Mike Lisbe and Nate Reger will write Air Guitar, a comedy set in the world of the mock rock competitions. A Guitar Hero Commercial's got some competition! [THR]
· DreamWorks has brought writer Laeta Kalogridis (Shutter Island) on board Ghost in the Shell, the long in development film based on the famous Japanese manga. [Variety]
· Brothers Aaron and Matthew Benay have signed on to adapt the witch drama Wicked for DreamWorks, based on the young adult book series, not the Broadway musical. That won't get confusing. [Variety]