Thursday, September 24

• Facebook Movie Casts Justin Timberlake, Jesse Eisenberg, and Andrew Garfield

  Last week, MTV Movies asked Jesse Eisenberg about the upcoming Facebook movie, pressing him for an answer as to whether he was part of the rumored cast, which also included Justin Timberlake and Andrew Garfield. Eisenberg simply responded, "They are rumors; that is true."

  Well, now we can freely say that all these rumors are true. Variety is reporting that all three are now officially attached to The Social Network, which is being directed by David Fincher (Benjamin Button, Zodiac, Fight Club) and produced by Kevin Spacey.

  The script for the movie was penned by Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing, Charlie Wilson's War) and tells the story of how Mark Zuckerberg created Facebook in 2004 while a sophomore at Harvard. In the five years since, Facebook has amassed more than 200 million users. Sorkin adapted his script from the Ben Mezrich book The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook, a Tale of Sex, Money, Genius and Betrayal.

  You might remember Eisenberg from his memorable performance in The Squid and the Whale as writer-director Noah Baumbach's alter ego, a maladjusted youth with daddy issues. That role, we're sure, had an influence in the choice to cast him as Zuckerberg, who has been characterized as highly intelligent, ambitious, and socially awkward. Eisenberg also appears opposite Woody Harrelson in Zombieland, which comes out next Friday.

  Timberlake has been cast as Napster co-founder Sean Parker, who became Facebook's founding president. Garfield will portray Eduardo Saverin, who helped Zuckerberg launch the networking site, but later abandoned the relationship due to quarrels over financial issues.

  The movie is expected sometime in 2010. No other casting decisions have been announced as of yet.

  
  

  Posted 09/24/2009 by Rich Z

  Related: David Fincher | Kevin Spacey | Jesse Eisenberg | Justin Timberlake | Aaron Sorkin | Andrew Garfield | The Social Network

Thursday, September 17

• Jesse Eisenberg Addresses Rumors About Role in Facebook Movie

  During an interview for the upcoming Zombieland, MTV Movies asked Jesse Eisenberg about the rumors he will star as Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network, which begins filming in October and will be released sometime next year.

  When asked very pointedly if the rumors were true, Eisenberg evasively answered, "They are rumors; that is true." He then fumbled for a graceful exit from the conversation, but definitely left some room for interpretation.

  The Social Network is being helmed by David Fincher, who also directed Benjamin Button, Zodiac, and Fight Club. This prompted Eisenberg's Zombieland co-star Woody Harrelson, who was also present for the interview, to ask Eisenberg how he could possibly say no. Eisenberg simply responded (unconvincingly, in our opinion), "I'm sure you could find a reason to say no."

  The script for the movie was penned by Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing, Charlie Wilson's War) and tells the story of how Zuckerberg created Facebook in 2004 while a sophomore at Harvard. In the five years since, Facebook has amassed more than 200 million users. Sorkin adapted his script from the Ben Mezrich book The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook, a Tale of Sex, Money, Genius and Betrayal.

  Kevin Spacey is acting as one of the producers and has already expressed great excitement over the project. Other rumored stars include Justin Timberlake and Andrew Garfield.

  
  

  Posted 09/17/2009 by Rich Z

  Related: David Fincher | Kevin Spacey | Woody Harrelson | Jesse Eisenberg | Justin Timberlake | Aaron Sorkin | Andrew Garfield | The Social Network

Tuesday, August 25

• David Fincher's Facebook Movie Begins Shooting in October

  End of Show reports that Columbia has green-lit The Social Network, the upcoming movie about the origins of Facebook. The project, being helmed by David Fincher (Benjamin Button, Zodiac, Fight Club), begins filming in October and will be released sometime next year.

  The Social Network was penned by Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing, Charlie Wilson's War) and tells the story of Mark Zuckerberg, who created the social networking site in 2004 while a sophomore at Harvard. In the five years since, Facebook has amassed more than 200 million users. Sorkin adapted his script from the Ben Mezrich book The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook, a Tale of Sex, Money, Genius and Betrayal.

  Kevin Spacey is acting as one of the producers and has already expressed great excitement over the project. No casting decisions have been announced.

  
  

  Posted 08/25/2009 by Rich Z

  Related: David Fincher | Kevin Spacey | Aaron Sorkin | The Social Network

Thursday, July 23

• Kevin Spacey Talks About Facebook Movie

  

  About a month ago, we wrote that Kevin Spacey had signed on to produce The Social Network, an upcoming movie about the creation of Facebook. In a recent interview with MTV, Spacey talked about the project, saying that production may begin relatively soon.

  We're at a very early stage. But I think it's on the fast track. I think the film — they want to do it and maybe even do it this year. So it's gonna happen. But I have no clue as to who may be in it, because ultimately that will be [up to] the director.

  Although there's been no official announcement regarding a director, current rumors are pointing to David Fincher (Benjamin Button, Zodiac, Fight Club) as the most likely candidate. There are also speculations regarding possible cast members, but Spacey insisted that they are likely false.

  I can't imagine anyone's read for it because we haven't really announced the director ... So I don't think anyone's read for it. Maybe in their fantasy they've auditioned for it.

  The movie will be based on a script by Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing, Charlie Wilson's War) and tells the story of Mark Zuckerberg, who created the social networking site in 2004 while a sophomore at Harvard. In the five years since, Facebook has amassed more than 200 million users.

  The Sorkin script is an adaptation of the Ben Mezrich book The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook, a Tale of Sex, Money, Genius and Betrayal, which was released in stores last week.

  
  

  Posted 07/23/2009 by Rich Z

  Related: David Fincher | Kevin Spacey | Aaron Sorkin | The Social Network

Friday, July 10

• Moneyball Still Alive, Soderbergh Out as Director

  

  A couple of weeks ago, Sony's Columbia Pictures unexpectedly announced that it would scrap Moneyball, Steven Soderbergh's planned baseball flick. The announcement came just a few days before shooting was to begin in Phoenix.

  Today, Variety reported that Sony plans to continue the project, but without Soderbergh behind the camera. Sony Chairman Amy Pascal reportedly read Soderbergh's rewriteof Steven Zaillian's screenplay and objected to the changes. Soderbergh had apparently planned an unorthodox narrative structure and a documentary style that the studio worried would alienate audiences. There also may have been a secondary concern that the baseball-centric theme would detract from worldwide ticket sales.

  Brad Pitt is still on board to star as Billy Beane, the Oakland A's manager whose unique economical and statistical approach allowed the team to compete with more lucrative baseball franchises such as the Yankees.

  The studio will also hire Aaron Sorkin to make some changes to Zaillian's script, which is based on Michael Lewis' non-fiction book Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game. Sorkin's writing credits include Sports Night, The West Wing, Charlie Wilson's War, and the upcoming David Fincher-directed movie The Social Network.

  Several Major League players, both past and present, agreed to participate in Moneyball, either as actors or as interviewees. They include David Justice, Darryl Strawberry, Lenny Dykstra, and Scott Hatteberg.

  
  

  Posted 07/10/2009 by Rich Z

  Related: Brad Pitt | Steven Zaillian | Aaron Sorkin | Steven Soderbergh | Moneyball

Wednesday, June 24

• Facebook Movie in the Works, David Fincher May Direct

  

  Yesterday, Variety reported that David Fincher (Benjamin Button, Zodiac, Fight Club) is in talks with Columbia to direct The Social Network, an upcoming movie about the creation of Facebook. The movie would be based on a script by Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing, Charlie Wilson's War) and tell the story of Mark Zuckerberg, who created the social networking site in 2004 while a sophomore at Harvard. In the five years since, Facebook has amassed more than 200 million users.

  SlashFilm reports that the Sorkin script is actually an adaptation of the Ben Mezrich book The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook, a Tale of Sex, Money, Genius and Betrayal, which is due in stores on July 14. On the Amazon.com page for the book, there's a plug for the movie from none other than Kevin Spacey, one of the project's producers.

  You may think you know the story of the Facebook phenomenon, but you haven't heard the whole story and never like this ... [Mezrich] tells a captivating story of betrayal, vast amounts of cash, and two friends who revolutionized the way humans connect to one another – only to have an enormous falling out and never speak again ... I'm currently working with Dana Brunetti, Scott Rudin, Mike Deluca, and Aaron Sorkin on the movie adaptation of The Accidental Billionaires.If the book is any indication, the film is going to be a must see.

  We can only speculate as to Fincher's interest in a project like this. The only connection we can come up with is the theme of obsession, which has shown up repeatedly in his films, from methodical serial killers (Se7en) to the "good guys" tracking them (Zodiac). And of course, there's the anarchic ramblings of Tyler Durden in Fight Club. We're anxious to see what happens next with this project.

  
  

  Posted 06/24/2009 by Rich Z

  Related: David Fincher | Kevin Spacey | Scott Rudin | Dana Brunetti | Aaron Sorkin | The Social Network

Monday, May 4

• Ben Stiller to Direct Drama About Nigerian Bank Scam

  Ben Stiller might be best known for comedies with huge box-office clout, movies like Night at the Museum and Meet the Fockers. But he's also shown consistent interest in less-commercial, sometimes-risky projects. In the mid-90s, he directed the often-overlooked The Cable Guy, one of the best things Jim Carrey ever did with his career.

  Now Stiller will take another risk, directing a drama about the all-too-familiar Nigerian bank scam. (You know, the one from the Nigerian prince who promises you millions of dollars if you just cough up your bank account numbers.) Help Me Spread the Goodness centers around a Chicago banker who gets swindled by the scam.

  Stiller is also slated to direct The Trial of the Chicago 7, which was scripted by Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing, Charlie Wilson's War) and tells the story of the Vietnam War protesters at the 1968 Democratic National Convention.

  
  

  Posted 05/04/2009 by Rich Z

  Related: Ben Stiller | Aaron Sorkin

Friday, July 13

• Sorkin to West-Wingify the Chicago Seven

  Master of the fast-talking verbal volley Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing) has signed a deal with DreamWorks to write The Trial of the Chicago Seven--a drama bout the conspiracy trials of Abbie Hoffman and the other anti-war protesters wrapped up in the 1968 Democratic National Convention riots. Sounds right up his alley.

  Steven Spielberg will potentially direct.

  Source: Yahoo! News.

  
  

  Posted 07/13/2007 by reelz

  Related: Steven Spielberg | Aaron Sorkin | The Trial of the Chicago Seven