Vulture has quite the exclusive tonight, reporting that Unknown and Orphan director Jaume Collet-Serra has snagged the director’s chair on Legendary Pictures’ upcoming naval actioner Here There Be Monsters. Big name directors like Brad Bird and Robert Zemeckis have eyed this movie before, but it looks like Collet-Serra has locked it down and will offer the lead role to The Hangover star Bradley Cooper. More after the jump.

There’s a lot going on with this one, but let’s cover the story first. For those of you who have never heard of this one, it’s written by L.A. Confidential screenwriter Brian Helgeland and follows real-life Revolutionary War hero John Paul Jones as he explores the disappearance of merchant ships thanks to a giant squid. Sounds pretty cool, like a Master and Commander meets 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea type of thing.

Collet-Serra still has some work to do to get this script the way he wants it, and he’s still attached to direct that Dracula murder mystery Harker with Russell Crowe, but because of scheduling issues, that one won’t go before cameras until 2014. In the meantime, the future of the live-action adaptation of Akira becomes more and more uncertain with each new project Collet-Serra picks up, so we’re still not quite sure how that’ll shake out (if at all).

Cooper is going to be busy with The Hangover 3 for the rest of this year, but apparently he’ll be offered this project as soon as the script is ready for an early 2013 start. This sounds like a hell of a movie, and one that could very easily encounter a lot of production problems (ask Steven Spielberg about filming out on the water), so I’m sure we’ll be hearing a lot more about this one as they get closer to filming.

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Late last month, we heard that Russell Crowe was negotiating for the part of Noah in Darren Aronofsky’s Biblical epic. Now Deadline reports the deal is done, and the filmmakers are looking to start filming this July.

Christian Bale and Michael Fassbender were once in talks for the part, and as cool as it would have been to see Bale in this role, I think this could be the iconic character Russell Crowe needs to get his career back on track. He’s had a few misfires lately with Body of Lies, Robin Hood, and The Next Three Days, but he’s playing Jor-El in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel (if that movie ever finishes filming), and joining Hugh Jackman in Tom Hooper’s Les Miserables. Noah could be the one to put him back in the public spotlight, because Aronofsky’s “edgy” take on the Biblical character is sure to draw some controversy when it comes out. There’s so much talent involved in this movie, it’s sure to be entertaining; aside from the A-list director and star, The Aviator and Gladiator screenwriter John Logan recently rewrote the script. IMDB lists the film with a 2014 release date, but we’ll keep you updated if anything changes.

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Earlier this month we heard that Darren Aronofsky was eyeing Russell Crowe to lead his big screen adaptation of the Noah’s Ark story, and now according to Variety Crowe is officially in negotiations to play the title character.

If Crowe ends up play Noah it’ll be another iconic role to add to his list, which already includes Maximus in Gladiator, Robin Hood, and Jor-El in Man of Steel which will be out next year. Liam Neeson was also said to be eyed for a role, but nothing further has been reported on whether he’s in negotiations also.

Below is a French trailer for the graphic novel released last year which gives us an idea of what to expect:

Last year Aronofsky said:

“Since I was a kid, I have been moved and inspired by the story of Noah and his family’s journey. The imaginations of countless generations have sparked to this epic story of faith. It’s my hope that I can present a window into Noah’s passion and perseverance for the silver screen”.

Academy Award nominated screenwriter John Logan (Gladiator, The Aviator) is re-writing the script and the aim is to begin production this July.

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No, I’m not talking about Twilight. Competing studios have been drooling over Summit’s annual box office haul from the Stephanie Meyer adaptations and are continuing to capitalize on the trend. There are a few more blood sucker projects lined up, and one involves Russell Crowe. Hit the jump for more.

Vulture reports that Crowe is in talks to join Harker, a potential franchise movie centered around a Scotland Yard detective who follows Dracula’s path of murders across England. Jaume Collet-Serra (Unknown) will direct before he turns his attention back to that pesky live-action adaptation of Akira that WB seems so determined to make.

The other revived project is Dracula: Year Zero, once a Sam Worthington vehicle with Alex Proyas attached to direct. Proyas went to take on Paradise Lost, and we all know how that turned out. Gary Shore is now in the director’s chair, and Worthington is no longer connected, but the movie is still supposed to be an origin story about Vlad the Impaler, who provided the basis for the Dracula myth. Seems like Universal got jealous when they heard about WB’s vampire-related news today, so they released some of their own to stay in the game. This is Hollywood after all, and it’s all about perception.

What about you? Sick of the vamp trend, or can’t wait to sink your teeth into these movies? Sound off in the comments.

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Forget Groundhog Day – call it Russell Crowe Day. Following the announcement that Darren Aronofsky wants Russell Crowe to play Noah in his upcoming Biblical epic, we’ve got a few more tidbits of news regarding the Academy Award-winning actor.

Variety’s Jeff Sneider tweeted the following last night:

Sure, Russell Crowe, MIGHT star in Aronofsky’s NOAH… but do you know what else he MIGHT star in? Three words: Ro. Bo. Cop. #FloatThisBoat

Again, not a huge confirmation, but something to keep in mind as the movie, set to be directed by Jose Padilha (Elite Squad: The Enemy Within), comes together over the next few months before it starts shooting this summer.

Also, Akiva Goldsman – best known as the writer of the godawful Batman & Robin, but who has also produced things like Mr. and Mrs. Smith and I Am Legend - is set to make his directorial debut on a movie called Winter’s Tale. Vulture says (via The Playlist) that Goldsman’s adaptation of the 1983 novel had previously stalled, but has now gained considerable momentum with the addition of (guess who?) Russell Crowe and Will Smith in supporting roles. The story sounds pretty interesting:

New York City is subsumed in arctic winds, dark nights, and white lights, its life unfolds, for it is an extraordinary hive of the imagination, the greatest house ever built, and nothing exists that can check its vitality. One night in winter, Peter Lake–orphan and master-mechanic, attempts to rob a fortress-like mansion on the Upper West Side.

Though he thinks the house is empty, the daughter of the house is home. Thus begins the love between Peter Lake, a middle-aged Irish burglar, and Beverly Penn, a young girl, who is dying.

Peter Lake, a simple, uneducated man, because of a love that, at first he does not fully understand, is driven to stop time and bring back the dead. His great struggle, in a city ever alight with its own energy and beseiged by unprecedented winters, is one of the most beautiful and extraordinary stories of American literature.

Crowe is in talks to play Pearly Somes, a gangster set on killing the burglar, while Smith would play a judge. So go forth everyone, and Happy Russell Crowe Day.

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Christian Bale and Michael Fassbender have previously been linked to the lead role in Darren Aronofsky’s next project Noah, which will be a big screen adaptation of the Noah’s Ark story. Now Deadline reports that the Black Swan director wants Russell Crowe as his lead.

No deal has been reached, but apparently “signs are pointing that way”. The site also mentions Aronofsky is eyeing Liam Neeson for another role, but no further details are given. If Crowe ends up play Noah it’ll be another iconic role to add to his list, which already includes Maximus in Gladiator, Robin Hood, and Jor-El in Man of Steel which will be out next year.

Below is a French trailer for the graphic novel released last year which gives us an idea of what to expect:

Last year Aronofsky said:

“Since I was a kid, I have been moved and inspired by the story of Noah and his family’s journey. The imaginations of countless generations have sparked to this epic story of faith. It’s my hope that I can present a window into Noah’s passion and perseverance for the silver screen”.

Academy Award nominated screenwriter John Logan (Gladiator, The Aviator) is re-writing the script and the aim is to begin production this summer.

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According to Deadline Anne Hathaway has closed a deal to join Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe in Les Miserables, the movie adaptation of the classic novel and Broadway musical set in 19th-century France which has Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech) directing.

Hathaway will play Fantine, a factory worker who faces increasingly dire circumstances as she tries to provide for her young daughter Cosette. Crowe will play Javert, the uncompassionate police inspector who will stop at nothing to recapture Jean Valjean (Jackman), the man who steals bread to feed his sister and spends the ensuing years in prison (or trying to escape it) while also becoming the guardian of Cosette. Helena Bonham Carter, who worked with Hooper on The King’s Speech, will play Thenardier’s greedy wife.

William Nicholson (Gladiator) has adapted the screenplay based on Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel. Working Title (Atonement) are producing, as is Sir Cameron MacKintosh who produced the stage version of the musical. Filming will begin later this year for a December 7, 2012 release date.

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Universal has just set a December 7, 2012 release date for Les Miserables, a new version of the classic novel and Broadway musical set in 19th-century France. We’ve previously heard that The King’s Speech director Tom Hooper is on-board, as is Hugh Jackman, and now they look set to be joined by Russell Crowe and Helena Bonham Carter.

According to THR Crowe will play Javert, the uncompassionate police inspector who will stop at nothing to recapture Jean Valjean (Jackman), the man who steals bread to feed his sister and spends the ensuing years in prison (or trying to escape it) while also becoming the guardian of a young woman named Cosette. Carter, who just worked with Hooper on The King’s Speech, will play Thenardier’s greedy wife.

William Nicholson (Gladiator) has adapted the screenplay based on Victor Hugo’s sprawling 1862 novel. Working Title (Atonement) are producing, as is Sir Cameron MacKintosh who produced the stage version of the musical. Filming will begin later this year.

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Following the news that Russell Crowe had signed on to play the role of Superman’s biological father, Jor-El, in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel, we heard Warner Bros. were also in the process of looking for Superman’s Kryptonian mother.

Well now according to Deadline British actress Julia Ormond (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Temple Grandin) is in talks for the role.

Filming will begin next month, and the movie also stars Henry Cavill as Clark Kent/Superman, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, and Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as Jonathan and Martha Kent. Michael Shannon will take on the role of the villain, General Zod, and German actress Antje Traue has been cast as villainess Faora.

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Here’s some interesting casting. According to Variety Russell Crowe is in negotiations to take on the role of Superman’s biological father Jor-El, previously played by Marlon Brando, in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel.

Apparently producer Christopher Nolan wanted a well known actor to play the role, and Mr. Crowe certainly fits the bill. Variety also mentions that they are looking for an equally big name to play Superman’s biological mother.

Filming will begin next month, and the movie stars Henry Cavill as Clark Kent/Superman, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, and Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as Jonathan and Martha Kent. Michael Shannon will take on the role of the villain, General Zod, and German actress Antje Traue has been cast as villainess Faora.

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