AWN Headline News

Rogue Pictures, Universal's NYC-based genre unit, has teamed with L.A.-based Crystal Sky Pictures to produce DOOMSDAY, the next film from DOG SOLDIERS writer-director Neil Marshall, reports VARIETY. This is the first project greenlit from Rogues new president of production Andrew Rona. The film is a futuristic action thriller with political overtones, set in northern England and Scotland. Rogue will hold worldwide rights to the film, which they hope to get into production next spring in the U.K.

Twentieth Century Fox has tapped Shawn Levy and his 21 Laps Ent. to produce the live-action/CG feature, A NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM. The deal will see Levy direct the picture as part of a two-year, nonexclusive, first-look production pact with the studio.

Paramount announced that ELF and ZATHURA director Jon Favreau has been hired to direct the film adaptation of JOHN CARTER OF MARS, reports the trades. Previously, SKY CAPTAIN helmer Kerry Conran was attached to direct after Robert Rodriguez had to step down from the production after he quit the Directors Guild. Exec producer Harry Knowles said on his website Aint It Cool News that Conran left the film to work on another pulp sci-fi project that he was more passionate about.

Academy Award-winner Nicolas Cage is set to exec produce THE DRESDEN FILES (working title) for SCI FI Channel. The 2-hour backdoor pilot Cage's first foray into television will be produced by Lions Gate Television, in association with Cage's Saturn Films (THE LIFE OF DAVID GALE, SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE). Production is slated to begin in Toronto this fall with plans for a summer 2006 premiere.

Jules Borkent has been promoted to vp, programming, Nickelodeon International, responsible for coordinating Nickelodeon's global programming and acquisitions strategy, with a particular emphasis on working with our local programming heads to coordinate and develop pan-regional deals for Nickelodeon's 13 localized channels across Europe.