Taken Director Takes The Hitman's Bodyguard

Pierre Morrel (Taken) is currently in negotiations to direct The Hitman's Bodyguard, a new action film from David Ellison's Skydance Productions.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, financing is expected to go through Paramount. Tom O'Connor (Fire with Fire) has written the screenplay, which centers on "a protection agent who is forced to escort to the Hague a hitman awaiting his chance to testify against a war criminal and ex-head of state of an Eastern European country."

Morrel was previously attached to helm Bastille Day for Vendome Pictures and Anonymous Content, but the director has since passed on the project.

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The Wire Star in Robocop Negotiations

The Wire and Boardwalk Empire actor Michael Kenneth Williams is apparently in negotiations to star in Sony and MGM's remake of Robocop.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the actor - currently playing racketeer Chalky White on Boardwalk Empire - is in talks to appear as Joel Kinnamen's cop partner.

The movie is due to begin filming in Toronto this September, with Kinnamen as the titular cop, Hugh Laurie as the villain, and Samuel L. Jackson, Gary Oldman, Abbie Cornish, Jay Baruchel and Jackie Earle Haley also starring.

Brazilian Jose Padilha - who previously helmed the brilliant Elite Squad - is directing the film, which will hit screens in 2013.

Luke Karmali is IGN's UK Editorial Assistant. You too can revel in mediocrity by following him on IGN and on Twitter.

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From Contagion to RoboCop

Jennifer Ehle (Contagion) is currently in negotiations to join Jose Padilha's upcoming RoboCop remake.

According to Deadline, the two-time Tony winner would play Liz Kline, a seemingly new character to the franchise. Ehle joins the continually amassing cast, which includes Joel Kinnaman in the title role, Samuel L. Jackson as a charismatic TV mogul and a powerful force in the RoboCop world, Gary Oldman as the hero's scientist-creator, Hugh Laurie as the evil CEO of Omni Corp and Abbie Cornish as the protagonist's wife.

Production is expected to begin this September in Toronto, with MGM eying a summer 2013 release.

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Jimmy Fallon in Talks to Host the Oscars

Jimmy Fallon is now in negotiations to host the 85th Annual Academy Awards, with Saturday Night Live's Lorne Michaels -- who's also an executive producer on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon -- producing.

According to the Los Angeles Times, who broke the story, ABC has already raised objections to having the late-night talk show host from rival NBC play emcee on its Oscar broadcast. However, according to insiders close to the discussions, the Disney-owned network has no power to veto the decision, should a deal go through with the Academy. Meanwhile, an academy spokeswoman denied that any talks with Fallon and Michaels were even taking place.

Nevertheless, despite ABC's reluctance to showcase Fallon in their awards show, the Late Night comedian has plenty of hosting experience on his resume. Fallon also fronted the 2010 Emmys, which was very positively received.

But what are your thoughts on Fallon hosting the Oscars? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Max Nicholson is a writer for IGN, and he desperately seeks your approval. Show him some love on Twitter and IGN.

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