Screen Talk: Hello, Hathaway, we've a problem

Tinseltown Insider

An adaptation of Charlotte Rogan's book The Lifeboat has Anne Hathaway attached to star in and produce (Getty Images)

An adaptation of Charlotte Rogan's book The Lifeboat has Anne Hathaway (above) attached to star in and produce. The story centres on a woman who is both a newlywed, and a widow standing trial for murder, in 1914 after surviving a sinking. William Broyles Jr. (Apollo 13) is writing the script.

Hunger for profit at Lionsgate

When it is hard to bank on the banks, investors can rely on entertainment. Moody's Investors Service has followed Standard & Poor's in upgrading the rating for Lionsgate. The Canadian-owned mini-major is on a promise with three films remaining in the Hunger Games series starring Jennifer Lawrence.

The Tomorrow people gather

Britt Robertson, from TV's The Secret Circle, and Naomi Scott (Lemonade Mouth) are the finalists to star in Disney and director Brad Bird's much-buzzed about sci-fi project Tomorrowland. The two recently had a full hair and makeup test for the film, which boasts George Clooney as the A-list name.

How to teach and earn millions

Columbia Pictures has begun its homework on a sequel to Bad Teacher, the 2011 comedy hit starring Cameron Diaz. While there is no deal with Diaz yet, Justin Malen is writing a script to be directed by Jake Kasdan, who directed the first. The original earned Diaz $42m thanks to a lucrative deal.

The 12 labours of Hollywood

Tobias Santelmann, one of the stars of the Oscar-nominated Scandinavian adventure movie Kon-Tiki, has booked passage to Hollywood. Santelmann has been cast as the heavy in Hercules, the MGM-Paramount backed action movie starring Dwayne Johnson. Brett Ratner directs the Greek legend.

Helena waves her magic wand

The fairy godmother in Disney's live-action version of Cinderella will be Helena Bonham Carter. Kenneth Branagh is directing with Lily James in the title role, Cate Blanchett as the wicked stepmother and Richard Madden as the prince. The fairy godmother is to get more screen time in this take.