Mickey Mouse in North Korea; Wolverine Sets Japanese Cast: Biz Break

Also in Monday afternoon's round-up of news briefs, Drafthouse Films picks up a lauded film festival circuit doc for U.S. release. James Franco has tapped an Outfest filmmaker to make a 'Homo-Sex-Art-Film.' And rounding things out, casting news for a pair of projects.

Drafthouse Films Picks Up The Ambassador
The dark comic documentary that exposes the corrupt business of selling diplomatic titles to exploit lucrative and limited resources of war-torn third world countries has been picked up by Drafthouse Films, the film distribution label of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. The film by Mad Brugger (Red Chapel) was financed by filmmaker Lars von Trier's production company Zentropa.

Around the 'net…

Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh Put on Show for N. Korean Leader
Disney did not approve the characters that appeared in a concert attended by North Korea's new 20-something leader Kim Jong-un at an official event last week. Mickey, Minnie, Pooh and Tigger made appearances and footage from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Dumbo played in the background. Western references in any North Korean event has been unheard of until now and had been strictly forbidden, ABC News reports.

Wolverine Sets Japanese Cast
Fox's 2013 summer tentpole starring Hugh Jackman has set additional cast. The studio won't discuss details but Japanese actors Hiroyiki Sanada (The Last Samurai), Hal Yamanouchi (Sinbad of the Seas0 and two newcomers Tao Okamoto and Rila Fukushima are set to star in the film. The story is based in Japan, Comingsoon.net reports.

James Franco to Collaborate on a "Homo-Sex-Art-Film"
The 127 Hours star is joining filmmaker Travis Mathews on a new project. He wrote on his website that that he received an email from Franco's agent about possibly working together on a 'homo-sex-art-film' and that they soon got on the phone and a week later they were in pre-production. The filmmaker's indie I Want Your Love played Outfest, Vulture reports.

Keri Russell to Star in Thriller Dark Skies
She will play the lead in the supernatural thriller, written and directed by Scott Stewart. The film has comparatively a modest budget than producers Blumhouse's earlier Insidious and Paranormal Activity, Deadline reports.

Brie Larson Boards Joseph Gordon-Levitt's Don Jon's Addiction
The 21 Jump Street and Rampart star has joined the project which will be Gordon-Levitt's directorial debut. He will star as a porn-addict trying to be a better person after meeting a widowed older woman, played by Julianne Moore.. Larson will play his sister, Variety reports.