Today's Film News: Old School Atari Style

By Katey Rich

The headline of this Variety item about the upcoming Atari is that Leonardo DiCaprio will star as Nolan Bushnell, the creator of the Atari video game system who, indirectly, begat Grand Theft Auto. But the real news for me is that the screenplay is co-written by Brian Hecker, the writer and director of my favorite Tribeca Film Festival entry, Bart Got a Room. Bart has yet to find distribution, but at least Hecker is building off his good buzz for work on a potentially high-profile project. DiCaprio will also produce through his Appian Way films.

Though his first big Hollywood project, What Happens in Vegas, was a big glitzy mess, Tom Vaughan proved his directing potential with the British comedy Starter for 10, and might be able to work that magic again with the right story. Time will tell if the upcoming Crowley is the story he needs, but with Harrison Ford now on board to play a maverick scientist, Vaughn's odds of crafting a hit just got a lot better. Variety reports that the movie is based on the true story of a couple who sought the scientist's help when both of their children were both with a rare genetic disease. CBS Films is fast-tracking the project.

Some huge names have come together for a new romantic comedy project, which Columbia Pictures won in a bidding war. First there's Reese Witherspoon, one of few female stars who can open a movie (so long as it's a comedy) on her own strength. Then there's Ben Stiller, the star of both family-friendly blockbusters (Night at the Museum) and hotly anticipated comedies (Tropic Thunder). Cameron Crowe, the writer and director of this one, remains a strong name despite recent flops. And finally there's Scott Rudin, who finally won his Oscar in February and continues as one of the most desired producers in the business. Variety isn't reporting any plot details, but when this many stars align, something big-- if not necessarily great-- will surely result.

And finally, this isn't news about movies that will ever come to theatres, but it's still exciting. Amazon.com and the Tribeca Film Institute are teaming up to launch Reframe, which will offer digitization of rare films and then sell those films for download from the Amazon Unbox program.The Hollywood Reporter says the goal is to digitize about 10,000 titles within the next few years, from experimental films to archival footage. It's an exciting idea for how Internet film distribution can be used in a way that doesn't take away from movie theatres, but enhances their offerings.