Nick Cassavetes to direct Kristen Stewart in crime flick, 'Cali'

To say that Nick Cassavetes has led an indiscriminate career when it comes to directing is quite the understatement. We're talking the same guy whose choices have taken him into Nicholas Sparks territory with The Notebook, to suburban crime with Alpha Dog, to somber family film stuff like My Sister's Keeper. Even when he dabbles in acting it's hard to pinpoint where he'll turn up. Last year he appeared in that God awful Atlas Shrugged adaptation, and then made a cameo in The Hangover Part II. Where he'll wind up for his next directorial gig isn't quite so surprising.

Cassavetes will take the helm on Cali, the gritty California crime flick we learned about last week. Kristen Stewart will co-produce and star in the film as Mya, who along with her boyfriend Chris make a fake snuff film which they then sell for a ton of money before hauling ass out of the San Fernando Valley. She's called back home years later to take care of an ailing sister, with she and Chris forced to confront all the former business partners they screwed on the way out. That includes angry and homicidal porn stars, an unstoppable killing machine in a cowboy hat, and stoner vet techs. Really. The script comes from Michael Diliberti, writer of last year's 30 Minutes or Less.

It's hard to gauge what the tone of this film will be, but it sounds like an off-the-wall project that somebody else might have been better suited to direct. However, if the tone is a bit darker like Alpha Dog was, then Cassavetes and Stewart could make for a powerful combination. Filming is expected to begin at the tail end of summer. [Variety]