Sacha Baron Cohen Eyes Lesbian Comedy; Monopoly May Be Headed For The Big Screen: Biz Break

Also in Thursday afternoon's round-up of news briefs: Taken 2 is looking to lead another strong box office this weekend. Devin Ratray is joining Alexander Payne's latest. And banned Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi has made another film, defying authorities.

Sacha Baron Cohen Eyes 'Fact-Based' Comedy The Lesbian
Paramount Pictures and Sacha Baron Cohen are developing a feature inspired by Hong Kong billionaire Cecil Chao's offer of $65 million to any man who will succeed in marrying his lesbian daughter. Chao made the offer after reports his daughter had a French church bless her relationship with her longtime girlfriend, Deadline reports.

Hasbro Gets Movie Partner for Monopoly
Emmet/Furla Film will finance and co-produce three films based on Hasbro's properties over the next two years. First on the list is Monopoly, which they're aiming for production next year," Deadline reports.

Taken 2 Set to Lead Another Strong Weekend
Liam Neeson stars in the feature, which has been getting strong pre-sale business. The domestic box office is expected to have a second strong box office this coming weekend, THR reports.

Devin Ratray Joins Alexander Payne's Nebraska
Ratray will play the villain in the black-and-white film which stars Bruce Dern and Will Forte. The film stars a boozing father who heads to Nebraska from Montana to claim a Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes prize, THR reports.

Iran's Banned Filmmaker Jafar Panahi Made Another Movie
Last year he made doc This is Not a Film from house-arrest in Tehran and it later made its way to Cannes. Although he's facing a 20 year ban from making movies after offending the regime there, he's apparently made another pic. So says fellow Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami whose Like Someone in Love premiered at the New York Film Festival, Indiewire reports.