By Katey Rich
Though speculation had it that Warner Independent and Picturehouse were about to become one studio, Warner Bros. shocked some yesterday when it decided to close both specialty outfits. Variety writes that each distributor will take care of their remaining films-- Kit Kittredge: An American Girl, Mongol and The Women among them-- and get out of Dodge. Even if Warner Bros. decides to release smaller films through its newly absorbed New Line, this still leaves the studio as one of the few in the business without a specific specialty release arm. Then again, Warner was the only major studio in the Best Picture Oscar race this year (with Michael Clayton), so they clearly know what they're doing there.
With the first images of the actors from the film already showing up in the press, Oliver Stone's W has also found a home. Variety reports that it will be distributed by Lionsgate, and will come out on October 17, smack dab in the middle of the Presidential election. Oddly enough, Stone has still not cast an actor to play Dick Cheney, even though filming begins on Monday. Will it be a last-minute surprise? Will Cheney play himself? Oh the possibilities.
Or hey, maybe Natalie Portman will take the role. She's free, at least, having dropped out of Wuthering Heights, in which she would have played the lead role of Cathy. The Hollywood Reporter says the film was scheduled to be sold at Cannes, which means there are a lot of financiers in a panic right now to find a replacement with Portman's high profile.
And finally, this summer's conflicted hero Hellboy will be finding new life as a martial arts villain-- well, the actor will at least. Ron Perlman is signing on to star in Bunraku, a hyper-stylized action film in the style of Sin City. The Reporter writes that Josh Hartnett, Demi Moore, Woody Harrelson and others also star.
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