Richard Gere Considering Counter-Islamophobia Pic; Ewan McGregor Eyes Australian Crime Thriller: Biz Break

Also in Friday morning's round-up of news briefs: Ridley Scott gives the low-down on a Blade Runner sequel. Michelle Williams is eyeing a role in a WWII-era drama and a run-down on the weekend's new specialty release offerings.

Richard Gere Considering Counter Islamophobia Pic After Innocence of Muslims Controversy
Promoting Arbitrage at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, Gere said he was "talking to a couple of people…about the possibility of shooting part of a movie that I'm working on here." He said he was open to shooting a movie that would present Muslims in a more positive light after the damage caused by the anti-Islam video, THR reports.

Ewan McGregor Set for Australian Crime Thriller Son of a Gun
McGregor is currently shooting August: Osage County with Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts. He will shoot the crime pic Son of a Gun in Australia early next year. The film revolves around McGregor's criminal character and his young protégé, Deadline reports.

Ridley Scott: 'Blade Runner Sequel is 'No Rumor'
Producer/director Scott confirmed that a re-make of the sci-fi classic is in the works. Scott was not sure if Harrison Ford will be on board the possible re-make of the 1982 pic, Metro reports.

Michelle Williams Eyes Suite Francaise
Williams is set to star in the leading role of the forthcoming film adaptation of Irène Némirovsky's celebrated second world war novel Suite Française. A Ukrainian-born Jew, the writer died in Auschwitz in 1942 after completing only two of the novels, which were then lost in her personal papers until 1998, The Guardian reports.

Specialty Box Office Preview: Middle of Nowhere, Smashed, Excuse Me for Living, Simon and the Oaks, Gayby
This weekend's new specialty release offerings get a preview including the Octavia Spencer/Mary Elizabeth Winstead starrer Smashed and other newcomers that will be opening in theaters, Deadline reports.