David Talbert to Direct 'The Necklace'; Peter Landesman goes 'Down by the River'

* Playwright David E. Talbert's first two films, First Sunday and Baggage Claim, insulted religious folks, women, and those who consider the institution of marriage sacred. It's unfortunate that a guy whose plays have won numerous puts up junk on the big screen, but hopefully he'll rectify that with his next effort. He'll write and direct an adaptation of Cheryl Jarvis' novel, The Necklace, about a group of women who purchase an expensive diamond necklace to share. Basically, it's Sisterhood of the Traveling Jewelry as the story chronicles each woman's life as the necklace is passed amongst them. [Variety]

* Journalist-turned-director Peter Landesman is readying his follow-up to Parkland, which opened this week and was relatively well-received. He's coming aboard to rewrite and helm Down by the River, based on the crime novel by Charles Bowden. Picking up the reins from previous writer Henry Bean, Landesman will tell the story of a DEA official and ex-undercover agent who heads to Mexico seeking revenge on the DEA and a drug kingpin after his younger brother is murdered in El Paso, TX. [Deadline]