the industry

Industry Roundup: Russell, gargoyles

Nail In The Coffin: The long-delayed Jessica Biel-Jake Gyllenhaal “political satire/romantic comedy” Nailed has lost writer/director David O. Russell. Russell did not offer an explanation to the Hollywood Reporter as to exactly why he was unable to reach an agreement with financier Ronald Tutor, who controls the rights to the movie. The studio plans to actually hire a different director to finish up the movie and film reshoots (which would involve Biel and Tracy Morgan). The movie was shut down four times during production in 2008 by the guilds due to money not being paid on time. Hate to break it to these guys, but at this point it really seems like this movie just does not want to be made. [HR]

Gargoyles!: Disney is developing an untitled gargoyles project, and the studio is close to hiring Zoe Green to come up with a story about the stone creatures. While the project aims to “build a mythology around the carvings,” the actual plot will be set in modern times. Perhaps this is a sign that by 2014, we’ll be making a list of all the gargoyle rip-offs. [Heat Vision/HR]

Amazon Trail: Chockstone Pictures has picked up the film rights to Monte Reel’s nonfiction book The Last of the Tribe: The Epic Quest to Save a Lone Man in the Amazon. And Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity) is attached to direct. The tome examines the search for the last surviving member of an Amazon tribe, “from the perspective of the government agents charged with both verifying his existence and preserving his way of life.” The screenplay will be adapted by Mark Bailey, whom we’re hoping will take care of that unwieldy title. [Variety]

Teamed With Cook: True Blood’s Sam Trammell has joined the cast of the indie crime thriller Guns, Girls and Gambling, which stars Dane Cook, Christian Slater and Gary Oldman. Trammell will play a “no-nonsense sheriff” partnered with a corrupt one (Cook). Thankfully Trammell’s used to dealing with all sorts of troublesome cooks. [Variety]

Where There’s A Will: Ridley and Tony Scott are producing Archangels, a sci-fi film from newcomer Andrew Will, which will be directed by Joe Kosinski (Tron Legacy). The script is a Bourne-style thriller with alien elements, with a lead who is “part of an elite force that is tasked with tracking aliens who get past Earth’s defense system.” [Variety]

Neon Lights: Still riding the buzz from last year’s Psychic Chasms, Neon Indian will be touring North America this fall, with a series of dates opening for Phoenix in late September. [Pitchfork]

Industry Roundup: Russell, gargoyles