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11-12-2008, 02:15 AM
November 11, 2008
Despite shaky economic conditions and a possible SAG strike, the majors are ramping up for a busy 2009 in pic production. And there's no shortage of helmers ready to sign onto projects following this year's long lull in feature film activity.
Among the directors signing onto projects that have come to light this week is "Superbad" helmer Greg Mottola, who will direct the extraterrestrial comedy "Paul" for Working Title and Universal Pictures.
Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, the duo behind "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz," will star.
Mottola, who hasn't worked since wrapping the upcoming comedy "Adventureland" last fall despite the heat generated from "Superbad," will begin lensing "Paul" in mid-April in New Mexico.
"Greg is a big fan of Nick and Simon's. He loved the concept," said Working Title's Eric Fellner, who is producing with Tim Bevan and Nira Park.
Story revolves around two British slackers who, after visiting Comic-Con, go on a road trip to Area 51, where they encounter a small alien named Paul, who enlists them to help him find his way home.
Pegg and Frost penned the screenplay for the pic, which will shoot in March.
Edgar Wright, who directed "Hot Fuzz" and "Shaun of the Dead," is exec producing.
Despite shaky economic conditions and a possible SAG strike, the majors are ramping up for a busy 2009 in pic production. And there's no shortage of helmers ready to sign onto projects following this year's long lull in feature film activity.
Among the directors signing onto projects that have come to light this week is "Superbad" helmer Greg Mottola, who will direct the extraterrestrial comedy "Paul" for Working Title and Universal Pictures.
Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, the duo behind "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz," will star.
Mottola, who hasn't worked since wrapping the upcoming comedy "Adventureland" last fall despite the heat generated from "Superbad," will begin lensing "Paul" in mid-April in New Mexico.
"Greg is a big fan of Nick and Simon's. He loved the concept," said Working Title's Eric Fellner, who is producing with Tim Bevan and Nira Park.
Story revolves around two British slackers who, after visiting Comic-Con, go on a road trip to Area 51, where they encounter a small alien named Paul, who enlists them to help him find his way home.
Pegg and Frost penned the screenplay for the pic, which will shoot in March.
Edgar Wright, who directed "Hot Fuzz" and "Shaun of the Dead," is exec producing.