1. Jay Roach, who in the last few years moved away from schlocky comedies like “Austin Powers” and “Meet the Parents,” opting for political films like “Game Change” and “Recount,” is reportedly prepping a series for HBO, set to star Annette Bening. “The Third Coast,” the current working title, was written by Paul Rudnick, a frequent contributor to the New Yorker, and “revolves around a larger-than-life casting director (Bening) in New Mexico.” Why she is in Arizona, we have no clue, but we’re sure she’ll get involved in hilarious hijinks. Bening is great, so any chance for her to lead a series is good news. The project is part of a two-year deal Roach signed with HBO. [Deadline]
2. Is this a huge joke? Or one of the biggest marketing mishaps of all time? Either way, we think it’s amazing that Katy Perry, the flamboyant pop-singer, has decided to call her new album “Prism,” which, if you haven’t been paying attention to the news, is also the name of the mass surveillance program operated by the NSA, which was brought to the public’s attention with the help of famed whistleblower Edward Snowden. The singer announced her new album by way of a giant golden truck, with the name printed on the side, riding through Los Angeles. Is she spreading coded messages? Will her new album be released via smartphone app, a la Jay Z, which will require you to give up all your personal information for a few radio-friendly hits? Conspiracy theorists, it’s in your hands now. [Fuse]
3. Remember that movie about on-the-run software mogul John McAfee, who was wanted for questioning in connection with a murder in Belize last year? Well, it appears to be happening, and Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, who wrote Tim Burton‘s best film, “Ed Wood,” and will be working with Burton again on the excellent-sounding “Big Eyes,” are writing the script. Will Johnny Depp make the role of John McAfee his last before he retires? Let’s hope so! John Requa and Glenn Ficarra (“I Love You Phillip Morris”) are set to direct. [The Verge]
4. Now that Spike Lee is making news regarding his Kickstarter account, people seem to have forgotten about his remake of “Oldboy,” starring Josh Brolin. Initially, it was set to open on October 11, then is was pushed back to October 25, and now it’s been pushed back again, this time to November 27. No reason has been given for the constant rescheduling, but there seems little reason to worry. “Oldboy” was never a film that was going to be a serious awards contender, so the studio might be reshuffling its schedule to make room for films that will have a chance at picking up a golden statuette. Now that it’s coming out near Thanksgiving, a typically big box-office weekend, it could be a sign that the studio has a lot of faith in the film and wants to launch it on a weekend where it will gain maximum exposure. [Collider]
5. Everybody is talking about HAIM, a group of California-based sisters who produce pop songs through the filter of electro-glam rock. “The Wire,” their new song, will reportedly be on their debut album, which is yet to be released. Is this hype or the real thing? Listen below. [Stereogum]
—Craig Hubert
Previously: Kanye West, Box Office, “Sherlock,” NYFF, James Brooks
Image: Christopher Polk/Getty Images
