Biutiful Day: Javier Bardem, last seen dropping out of a million projects because he needed to “recharge his batteries” after not being in a sexy threesome, will star in the Spanish-language Biutiful, written by González Iñárritu (21 Grams) and directed by Alejandro Gonzalez. Story follows a man involved in shady dealings who gets confronted by his childhood friend turned policeman. And then, according to Bardem, they “find a beautiful women and all three of them make passionate love all week long.” [Variety]
Stiller Going to Chicago?: Ben Stiller is the latest director to circle DreamWorks’ Trial of the Chicago 7, Aaron Sorkin’s account of the 1968 Democratic convention riots and the trial/media circus that followed (you know, the project Sorkin works on when he’s not updating his Facebook status?). While nothing is final yet, we’d like to point out that Robert Downey Jr. would make a fabulous Black Panther Bobby Seale. [HR]
WB Saves Hostages: And then there were two. Warner Bros. has picked up an untitled action-thriller pitch, for Peter Landesman to write, about last summer’s Colombian FARC hostage rescue in the Colombian jungle. Story, produced by G.I. Joe’s Lorenzo di Bonaventura, will follow the five-year operation to locate and rescue three Americans who were among the hostages. Stephen Donehoo, of McLarty Associates consulting, was integral in both the rescue planning and the facts for the pitch. This comes after last month’s announcement of Operation Checkmate, another film based on the situation. There’s still the possibility of a third movie from hostage Ingrid Betancourt, who signed with CAA, but she might have missed her chance at fame and fortune, which in Hollywood is probably worse than being held hostage. [Variety]
Bill, Oh Really?: Bill O’Reilly has re-upped his deal with Fox News for another four years reportedly worth $10 million a year, which means The O’Reilly Factor will continue “doin’ it live” and making liberals crazy while simultaneously getting killer ratings every night. But fear not: O’Reilly has said that he’s not going to stay on the air past his prime, invoking the magical “much as I respect him” to dis a fellow newsman: “I’m not going to be Andy Rooney, much as I respect him.” [Variety]
HBO Bulks Up Pilots: Veronica Mars’ Jason Dohring and What Just Happened’s Kate Burton have joined HBO’s comedy pilots, Washingtonienne and How to Make it in America, respectively. Washingtonienne’s Jessica Cutler — a.k.a. the female Tucker Max — should be happy to have some fresh meat aboard. [HR]
