Ferrari: Christian Bale will star in Ferrari, a drama by director Michael Mann about Italian car magnate Enzo Ferrari. Now all that's needed is someone to pay for and distribute the movie. It's described as a longtime passion project for Mann, who is hoping to shoot the film next summer and reunite with his Public Enemies (above) star in the lead role. The story unfolds in 1957, a fateful year when an accident involving a Ferrari vehicle, a blown tire and multiple casualties created a scandal. [Deadline]
The Odyssey: Hugh Jackman is in early talks to star in The Odyssey, a big-budget adaptation of Homer's epic poem, to be directed by Francis Lawrence (the final three installments of The Hunger Games franchise). Jackman would play the heroic Odysseus, "who embarks on a long voyage home following the conclusion of the Trojan War." Production is expected to get underway sometime in 2016. [The Wrap]
Kong: Skull Island: Toby Kebbell, who played Doctor Doom in Josh Trank's Fantastic Four, is in negotiations to join the cast of Kong: Skull Island. The adventure will follow a team of explorers on an island inhabited by prehistoric creatures. It's not clear if Kebbell's character would lean toward the heroic or the villainous side of the equation. The movie is gearing up to start production in late October, aiming for release on March 10, 2017. [Heat Vision]
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials Video: The first installment in the Maze Runner series established a dead-serious tone, but a new viral video suggests that Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials may exhibit a lighter spirit. The wacky, animated video explains the dangers of the so-called "Flare Virus." Judging by the first movie, we're not sure we can trust the makers of the video, but we'll all find out when the sequel opens in theaters on September 18. [Movieclips]
