The Movie Insider

In a odd twist of events, Drew Barrymore has signed on to star opposite her former boyfriend Justin Long in Going the Distance, a romantic comedy for New Line Cinema, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Adam Shankman (Bedtime Stories) and Jennifer Gibgot are producing via their Offspring Entertainment banner, and Nanette Burstein is directing. The story by first-time scribe Geoff LaTulippe follows a couple trying to maintain a long-distance relationship..

To celebrate the launch of PowerPlay, The Movie Insider has announced the winners of The Ultimate DVD Contest!.

Keanu Reeves, who most recently starred in The Day the Earth Stood Still, has signed to lead the cast of actioner Cowboy Bebop, according to Daily Variety. Reeves will take on the role of lead bounty hunter Spike Spiegel. Cowboy Bebop, a Japanese animated series, tells the story of a group of interstellar bounty hunters and their adventures aboard the starship Bebop..

Forest Whitaker, who was recently seen in Vantage Point and Street Kings, has been confirmed to be in negotiating to join the cast of the action film The Expendables, Stallone's latest writing and directing effort, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Whitaker would play the CIA liaison for a group of mercenaries (played by Stallone, Jet Li, Randy Couture and Jason Statham) who are clandestinely sent to South America to overthrow a dictator..

Director Adam Shankman, who helmed the upcoming Disney family adventure pic Bedtime Stories, will next tackle Disney's Bob the Musical and likely Sony's Sinbad, Daily Variety reported. Bob the Musical centers on a mild-mannered man who suddenly hears the "inner song" of people's hearts after being struck on the head.
.

Barry Sonnenfeld, who is an exec producer and director on "Pushing Daisies", will direct and produce the action comedy The How-To Guide for Saving the World for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Daily Variety reported. The project, penned by BenDavid Grabinski, refers to an instruction manual for saving the world, which is left behind by a secret group that protects the Earth from alien invaders after the group is wiped out. .

Tracy Morgan, who most recently appeared in First Sunday, will star in and produce the comedy Freshman Roommates for The Montecito Picture Company and Paramount Pictures, according to Daily Variety. TJ Miller (Cloverfield) will also star in the film. Freshman Roommates asks the question what if those spam emails aren't scams. .

Harrison Ford, last seen in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal, will star in Morning Glory, which is a comedy that J.J. Abrams is producing for Paramount Pictures. Rachel McAdams (Wedding Crashers) is in negotiations to join the cast too. Aline Brosh McKenna (The Devil Wears Prada) wrote the script. Roger Michell (Enduring Love) is set to direct. .

Visual effects wizard Scott Charles Stewart, who co-founded the effects house The Orphanage, has signed to direct Priest, a horror Western adapted from a TokyoPop comic book, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The story is set in a world ravaged by centuries of war between man and vampire and follows a warrior priest who turns against the church to track down a murderous band of vampires who have kidnapped his niece. .

Olivia Wilde, who starred in Turistas and is a series regular on Fox's medical drama "House", has signed on to star in Tron 2.0, the sequel to the 1982 Disney cult classic being directed by Joseph Kosinski, according to Daily Variety and The Hollywood Reporter. The original, about a programmer thrust into a computer and forced to fight in games he helped create, is remembered for its sci-fi gladiator-style battles and groundbreaking special effects..

Max Payne star Mila Kunis, who is probably best known for her role in "That 70s' Show" has joined the cast of The Book of Eli, the Denzel Washington sci-fi action thriller from Warner Bros. Pictures and Alcon Entertainment, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Albert and Allen Hughes are directing the pic..

Dimension Films and writer-director Rob Zombie are teaming for a second helping of Halloween madness this October, according to Daily Variety. Zombie will write and direct H2, the sequel to his 2007 reinvention of the John Carpenter horror classic. The new film picks up right as the first remake ended, following the aftermath of Michael Myers' murderous rampage through the eyes of the sister he hunted..

Helmer James L. Brooks, who has directed only five films during his career and hasn't helmed one since 2004's Spanglish, will next team up with Reese Witherspoon on How Do You Know for Sony Pictures, according to Daily Variety. Witherspoon was set to start lensing an Untitled Cameron Crowe Project for Sony in February, but that film has been pushed to July, leaving an opening in the actress' schedule..

Jay Baruchel, who was last seen in Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist and Tropic Thunder, is negotiating to play the title role in a live-action The Sorcerer's Apprentice for Walt Disney Pictures, Daily Variety reported. Baruchel would join Nicolas Cage, who plays the sorcerer in the Jon Turteltaub-directed film..

Jaden Smith, son of Will Smith, will star in a remake of The Karate Kid for Sony Pictures. The long-rumored project is moving forward with a 2009 shoot date, according to Daily Variety. Will Smith will produce the pic through his Overbrook Productions banner..