Craig Brewer to Direct Justin Timberlake-Produced Remake of 'The Idolmaker'

MGM continues to rifle through the attic digging up every 1980s film in their library for potential remakes, and probably the least recognizable of them all has taken a step forward. We've already seen Robocop and Poltergeist is coming next year, but awhile back we learned Justin Timberlake would be producing a remake of Taylor Hackford's 1980 musical, The Idolmaker. The project hadn't gone anywhere in awhile but now it's on with Craig Brewer directing.

Brewer, best known for musical films Hustle & Flow, Black Snake Moan, and Footloose (itself a remake), will direct The Idolmaker based on an Edward Di Lorenzo script. The original film starred Ray Sharkey as Vincent Vaccari, a loose version of real-life producer Bob Marucci who discovered Frankie Avalon, Fabian, and other musical acts.

Convincing Timberlake to star could be a problem as he's already set to produce and take a lead role in another music biopic, Spinning Gold. Right now there's no word on which of these projects will get moving first. [Variety]

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Sure Shots: John C. Reilly; Johnny Depp; Craig Brewer

* Our eagle-eyed friend Brendon Connelly over at Bleeding Cool caught wind of a casting call sheet for Anchorman: The Legend Continues, which begins filming in Atlanta next week. It asks for caucasian males who look like John C. Reilly, meaning they're probably looking for his stunt double. Sounds like the Step Brothers team of Reilly, Will Ferrell, and director Adam McKay may be getting back together in some capacity. It probably won't be a huge role, even a small cameo by Reilly would be great.

* Johnny Depp's schedule for the year has just cleared up considerably, and it likely won't include Pirates of the Caribbean 5. The actor recently became attached to Wally Pfister's sci-fi film, Transcendence, and the White Bulger biopic Black Mass. But since he's always adding projects without actually starring most of them, it's good to know he's now been confirmed for both and will shoot them back-to-back. Transcendence begins in April, so a decision on a female lead will have to be nailed down soon. Last we heard it was Rebecca hall, Rooney Mara, and Emily Blunt who were being considered. The story centers on a scientist who uploads his brain into a supercomputer after he's been assassinated.

After that, the summer belongs to Black Mass, with Depp reteaming with his Donnie Brasco director, Barry Levinson. Depp will play the notorious mobster Whitey Bulger, wanted for decades for crimes ranging from racketeering to murder. After being in hiding for years, he was captured along with his girlfriend in 2011.

* After directing three great music-powered films in Hustle & Flow, Black Snake Moan, and Footloose, Craig Brewer made a misstep and took on the concert flick Katy Perry: Part of Me. Hopefully he'll rebound with his next project, Gangster Princess of Beverly Hills, based on the true story of drug dealer Lisette Lee. Brewer will adapt the Rolling Stone article which covered the "Korean Paris Hilton", who claimed to be the heir of Samsung fortune and a pop starlet, but was really just a drug mule, ultimately captured and sent to prison for a six-year sentence. [Deadline]

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Ice Cube's N.W.A. biopic moving forward...without John Singleton

John Singleton's head must be spinning. It was only a few days ago that the Higher Learning director was openly discussing his ongoing talks to join Ice Cube in his production of a biopic on legendary rap crew, N.W.A. And now? Well, now he's apparently out of the picture.

Vulture has the news, stating that three names have entered the picture to direct the film, now titled Straight Outta Compton: Peter Berg, F. Gary Gray, and Craig Brewer. All three have the cred to make a legitimate claim for the job, but then again so did Singleton. Brewer's past films, Hustle & Flow and Black Snake Moan in particular, I think make him the ideal choice. All you have to do is think back to the phenomenon Hustle and Flow was back in 2005, with the soundtrack earning an Academy Award for Three Six Mafia. Remember the shocked faces of all those cinema stiffs as they performed "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" on stage? Awesome.

F. Gary Gray has worked with Ice Cube in the past, notably on 1995's urban comedy hit, Friday. But also as a music video director, so he could no doubt work with the hip hop heavy flick.

Peter Berg? Kinda out of left field, but all of his movies do pack amazing scores, especially Friday Night Lights. He might be the most high profile filmmaker of the bunch, though, and could woo audiences with his name alone. 

Singleton had previously stated that New Line was really into getting this movie made, and this news seems to back that up. But it's by no means guaranteed, and a big director may be the final touch that kicks things into high gear.

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