Film news recap: two new films from Terrence Malick

(AFP/Leon Neal)

Upcoming films making news this week include the latest romantic drama from Terrence Malick directing Javier Bardem and Christian Bale, plus a title that features Whoopi Goldberg in the role of God.

A-list stars sign to Malick's latest
Terrence Malick, the acclaimed director of the classic Badlands, Days of Heaven, and The Thin Red Line, will be shooting an untitled romantic drama with Christian Bale, Javier Bardem, Rachel McAdams, and Olga Kurylenko ( Quantum of Silence). The as-yet untitled feature begins production in the fall. Malick has directed only five features over 35 years. His much-anticipated film The Tree Of Life, a family drama set during the 1950s starring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn, is to be released later this year.

Seth Rogen, Michelle Williams to work with Sarah Polley
Take This Waltz will star Michelle Williams and Seth Rogen teaming up with actress/director, Sarah Polley in a script she also wrote. Polley ( Dawn of the Dead) also directed Away From Her starring Julie Christie. This romantic drama centers around a 28-year-old woman struggling in a marriage, who meets her neighbor on a business trip and the flirtation takes a turn.

Bates and Goldberg join romantic comedy
Earthbound, currently shooting in New Orleans, stars Kate Hudson ( Nine) and Gael Garcia Bernal ( Babel), just added Kathy Bates ( The Blind Side) to the cast and Whoopi Goldberg who will play God. The romantic comedy follows a woman with cancer, who discovers falling in love is scarier than death.

Country star's big screen debut
Country music star Carrie Underwood will make her film debut in Soul Surfer, shooting in Hawaii, which also stars Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt, and AnnaSophia Robb ( Race to Witch Mountain). The film is a true story based on Bethany Hamilton's autobiography about surviving a shark attack and winning a surfing champion with one arm at age 13.

RC