Daniel Radcliffe to Star in 'You Shall Know Our Velocity'; First Look at Tom Hanks in 'A Hologram for the King'

Cherished author Dave Eggers is finally starting to see some of his novels brought to the screen, and as expected some pretty big names are attached to them. For years an adaptation of his very first novel, You Shall Know Our Velocity, has been making the rounds, and at one point had Miguel Arteta (Cedar Rapids) in line to direct. That never went anywhere, but now it's back on with Peter Sollett (Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist) behind the camera and Daniel Radcliffe set to star.

The story follows two mismatched friends, Will (Radcliffe) and Hand, who travel around the world ostensibly to give away a large sum of money to those deemed deserving. Plans are for filming to begin next spring from a script by Wells Tower. [THR]

And next up is Tom Tykwer's adaptation of Eggers' book,  A Hologram for the King, which has Tom Hanks in the lead. The first image from the dramedy has arrived featuring Hanks' character appearing lost in the middle of the Saudi Arabian desert. He plays a down 'n out salesman who heads there to secure a lucrative IT contract.

The last time Tykwer and Hanks teamed up it was for Cloud Atlas and that didn't turn out so well. Hanks' name should earn it a solid release date, maybe towards the end of the year. [THR]

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Justin Timberlake to star in 'The Last Drop' for director Peter Sollett

Considering Justin Timberlake has every quality a person could ever hope for: he's successful, has unnaturally good looks, and incredibly likable; it's a shame that has never really translated on the big screen. He tends to be the best part of really forgettable flicks, but hopefully it's a trend that's about to come to an end.

Variety reports that Timberlake is set to star in the promising addiction drama, The Last Drop. Directed by Peter Sollett(Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist) and featuring a Black List script by Brandon and Phil Murphy, the film follows a functioning alcoholic and restaurant critic for New York Magazine. He realizes he must overcome his addiction and self destructive tendencies when he meets the woman of his dreams.

This is a solid move for both Timberlake and Sollett as it gives them a chance to spread their wings a little bit. Timberlake is set to star in the Coen Brothers' folk music film, Inside Llewyn Davies, which should emphasize his obvious musical talents. Earlier this month Sollett came aboard to direct Freeheld, the gay rights drama starring Ellen Page.

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Peter Sollett to direct Ellen Page's equal rights drama, 'Freeheld'

If you want a story that perfectly crystallizes the fight for equal rights for gay and lesbian couples, you need look no further than Laurel Hester and Stacie Andree. Hester was a New Jersey cop who was struck by terminal cancer, and on her deathbed made an appeal to have her pension benefits passed to Andree, her registered domestic partner for years. Their fight led to a change in NJ policy regarding such partnerships, and the story was chronicled in the rousing 2007 Academy Award-winning documentary, Freeheld.

Ellen Page(Juno) has long been attached to star in a dramatic feature length version of their story, with the actress set for the role of Andree. The film once had Catherine Hardwicke set for the director's chair, but she dropped out, and now screenwriter Ron Nyswaner has revealed a replacement has been found in Peter Sollett.

Sollett may not be a household name, but he's directed two great coming-of-age drams in Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist and 2002's underrated Raising Victor Vargas. This will be a change of pace for him, but his previous work has shown an ability to handle some serious issues when called for. [ThePlaylist]

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