Screen Talk: Cutting-edge tale suits the X-man

Tinseltown Insider

X-Men writer David Hayter has been hired to write an adaptation of a graphic novel The Sword (© Allstar Picture Library / Alamy)

X-Men writer David Hayter (pictured) has been hired to write an adaptation of a graphic novel The Sword. The film is based on the book by Jonathan and Joshua Luna. The main protagonist is a female paraplegic. After seeing her family slaughtered she discovers a sword that enables her to walk and delivers special powers.

Soviet story has a thrilling line-up

Jason Clarke is looking to join Tom Hardy in Child 44, the 1950s Soviet-era thriller based on Tom Rob Smith's novel. Ridley Scott is one of the big-name producers for the film that boasts Noomi Rapace, Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Paddy Considine and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Daniel Espinosa directs the Soviet-set child murders thriller.

Depp eyes up rogue male role

The prospects of bringing The Great Mortdecai Moustache Mystery by Kyril Bonfiglioli to the big screen are looking rosy. Johnny Depp is in negotiations to star in Mortdecai, Lionsgate's adaptation to be directed by David Koepp. Depp will produce and star as Mortdecai, a debonair art dealer and part-time rogue in a series of adventures.

Cameron still on for manga movie

Film-maker James Cameron has announced a start date for plans to bring original manga comic series Battle Angel Alita to the big screen. Cameron will start in 2017. He still has the next two Avatar movies to complete. Manga originally focused on a cyborg found in a local dump that turns to crime fighting.

Baena breathes new life into Beth

Life After Beth, an indie horror comedy being made by Jeff Baena, writer of David O Russell's 2004 film I Heart Huckabees, has cast Paul Reiser. Baena also wrote the film, which stars Dane DeHaan as a young man who struggles to continue his relationship with his girlfriend, Beth, (Aubrey Plaza), after she resurrects from the dead.

Ben wants to be a prime suspect

Ben Affleck is circling to play the husband in David Fincher's Gone Girl based on the bestselling book by Gillian Flynn. The story kicks off with a married couple celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary. The yet-to-be-cast wife goes missing as the husband emerges as the prime suspect. Flynn wrote the screenplay.