Steven Spielberg working on new film adaptation of Grapes of Wrath

Steven Spielberg is in talks with DreamWorks to produce a new film adaptation of John Steinbeck's novel The Grapes of Wrath, reported Deadline. The book was first adapted for the big screen by John Ford in 1940. Published in 1939, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel will celebrate its 75th anniversary next year. Robert Redford was apparently interested in turning The Grapes of Wrath into a mini-series, but the Steinbeck estate chose Spielberg's pitch instead. Spielberg's next project is directing American Sniper, headlined by Bradley Cooper and based on the autobiography of the Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, who has the highest number of sniper kills in American military history. – The National staff

Emraan Hashmi to star in Dil Hai Ki Maanta Nahin remake

Emraan Hashmi will be stepping into Aamir Khan's shoes for the remake of the 1991 hit film Dil Hai Ki Maanta Nahin, produced by Mahesh Bhatt, reported the Press Trust of India. The original film, released in 1991, was directed by Bhatt and starred his daughter Pooja. "The film I directed was modelled on It Happened One Night by Frank Capra, but didn't do justice to the hero's character. With this remake, we seek to do justice to the character played originally by Clark Gable – that of an unapologetic rake," Bhatt said. – The National staff

Brosnan’s daughter dies of cancer

Pierce Brosnan's daughter has died from ovarian cancer, his publicist confirms. Charlotte Brosnan, 41, died in London on June 28 after battling the disease for three years. Brosnan's first wife Cassandra Harris, Charlotte's mother, also died from ovarian cancer in 1991. In a statement to People magazine, Brosnan said his daughter "fought her cancer with grace and humanity, courage and dignity". He went on to say "we pray for her and that the cure for this wretched disease will be close at hand soon". – AP

Richa and Kalki to star in Jiah aur Jiah

Richa Chadda and Kalki Koechlin will play a southern Indian and a Punjabi in Jiah aur Jiah, a forthcoming film about swapped identities, reported Bollywood Hungama. Mudassar Aziz, who is co-producing the film, vehemently denies that his film has anything to do with Jiah Khan, the actress who committed suicide last month. "My film and its concept – of two girls named Jiah but from different cultural backgrounds – materialised long before the tragic death of Jiah Khan." Mudassar also said that Khan had actually approached him for a role. "Regrettably, she didn't fit the bill. I needed actresses with very specific cultural backgrounds." Directed by Howard Rosemeyer, Jiah aur Jiah will be shot in Sweden. – The National staff

Eighties shows get comic-book treatment

Punky Brewster and the kids from Saved by the Bell are returning to the small screen through digital comic books. So, too, are Knight Rider, Airwolf and Miami Vice. Lion Forge Comics and NBC Universal announced they have partnered to develop, write, illustrate and publish digital comics based on those shows from the 1980s and 1990s. The comics are set to be released later this year through iTunes, Amazon's Kindle Bookstore, Barnes & Nobles' Nook store and Kobo. – AP

IIFA promotes women’s empowerment

The International Indian Film Academy awards (IIFA) 2013, a three-day event in Macau beginning tomorrow, has taken a stand on the empowerment of women. "This year, the IIFA will promote women's empowerment," the veteran actor Shabana Azmi told reporters. "Women constitute 49 per cent of the voter base and the campaign 'Power of 49' emphasises it. IIFA is committed to provide solutions as well," she said. "We must vote for those politicians who will take solve these problems. Women must try to make a difference by voting for the right person." The IIFA, which also celebrates 100 years of Indian cinema this year, will include film briefings, fashion events, press conferences and film and music workshops. – The National staff

Michael Palin bags his first acting role in 15 years

The British TV presenter Michael Palin is taking up his first acting role in more than 15 years, joining a drama about soldiers producing a newspaper from the battlefields of the First World War. Palin, 70, a former member of the Monty Python comedy team, has concentrated his career in the past two decades on making TV travel documentaries. The BBC announced Palin as one of the cast members for The Wipers Times, a 90-minute drama based on the true story of a satirical newspaper produced by soldiers fighting from the trenches in 1916. "This new history drama will be filled with jokes, spoofs and amazing examples of courage behind the laughs," said the BBC's Janice Hadlow. Palin's last acting role was in the 1997 comedy Fierce Creatures. – Reuters

Rajnikanth to swim with dolphins in historic drama Kochadaiyaan

The forthcoming Tamil historic drama Kochadaiyaan, starring the southern Indian star Rajnikanth, will have a digitally created scene in which the actor engages with dolphins in the sea, reports Bollywoodlife.com. Directed by Rajinikanth's younger daughter Soundarya R Ashwin, the 3-D film has the actor playing two roles – that of a father and a son. The soundtrack by AR Rahman is expected to be one of the highlights of the movie, which also stars Sarath Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Jackie Shroff and Aadhi. – The National staff

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