Fifty Shades of Grey Narrows Possible Writers; James Cameron Joins Chinese in 3-D Venture: Biz Break

Also in Wednesday morning's round-up of news briefs, Sacha Baron Cohen plans his next project. Jonathan Rhys Meyers in talks to take on a new role and a coming-of-age documentary is headed to theaters.

James Cameron Forms 3-D Joint Tech Venture With Chinese Partners
Cameron is attending a 3-D film forum at Tianjin Polytechnic University. His production services company Cameron Pace Group has set up a China-based division partnering with state-backed companies Tianjin North Film Group and Tianjin Hi-tech Holding Group in what he called a "huge" deal, Deadline reports.

4 Writers In the Running for Fifty Shades of Grey
Karen Croner (Admission), Dan Fogelman (Crazy, Stupid, Love), Veena Sud (TV's The Killing) and Kelly Marcel (Saving Mr. Banks) are the contenders to write the screen adaptation of E.L. James' best seller Fifty Shades of Grey, THR reports.

Sacha Baron Cohen Plans James Bond Spoof
The British actor has written the screenplay for the untitled film alongside Phil Johnston, who wrote the 2011 comedy Cedar Rapids, and may take a role if his schedule allows it. Paramount Pictures, which has a long-term arrangement with Baron Cohen, has bought the pitch for the new project, The Guardian reports via THR.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers Eyes Mortal Instruments
Meyers is in negotiations to board the cast of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, an adaptation of Cassandra Clare’s novel from Constantin Film and Unique Pictures. Lily Collins stars as a young woman who discovers she is the descendant of half-angel warriors called Shadow-hunters who are in an ancient battle to protect the world from demons, THR reports.

Only The Young Heads to Theaters
The coming-of-age documentary follows three teens in an economically downtrodden Southern California town. Directed by Jason Tippet and Elizabeth Mims, the film debuted at the True/False Film Festival and later won best U.S. feature at SilverDocs Documentary Festival, Deadline reports.