GENIUS CASTING!!! This is funny - when I was reading this book, I pictured Dakota Fanning as the younger sister.  They both are remarkably talented - so I think this is brilliant casting.

Thespian prodigies Dakota and Elle Fanning have agreed to play Cameron Diaz’s daughters in My Sister’s Keeper for director Nick Cassavetes.

The film is an adaptation of Jodi Picoult’s 2004 novel about a young girl (to be played by 9-year-old Elle) who sues her parents for emancipation after they conceived her in hopes that her genes would save the life of her cancer-stricken sibling (13-year-old Dakota).

The project reunites Cassavetes with screenwriter Jeremy Leven and producer Mark Johnson, two key members of his team behind the hit tearjerker The Notebook. It’s due to start shooting early next year.

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Sony Pictures has officially set a February 2008 start date for production on Angels & Demons, the Da Vinci Code sequel, which is slated to hit theaters in December 2008.

The quick decision is one of the biggest to transpire amid Hollywood’s current deal-making frenzy due to the looming writers strike.

Tom Hanks is reprising his role as religious conspiracy investigator Robert Langdon, and director Ron Howard, screenwriter Akiva Goldsman, and producer Brian Grazer are all back for the second movie adapted from Dan Brown’s mystery novels. Casting is now underway.

Although The Da Vinci Code grossed a relatively disappointing $217.5 million domestically in 2006, it was a smash hit overseas where it banked a jaw-dropping $540.7 mil. Due to the success of that film, Sony greenlit Angels & Demons, whose 2000 book Brown had actually written before 2003’s The Da Vinci Code became an runaway bestseller.

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Youth Without Youth, which marks Francis Ford Coppola’s return to filmmaking after 10 years, received mixed critical reaction at the Rome Film Festival following its screening on Saturday.

To those critics who urged Coppola to stick with doing what he does best, the director said at a news conference, “I think we should be tolerant of artists who want to break new ground, and not require them to make gangster films all their lives.”

Coppola also told reporters that his recent remarks about Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and Jack Nicholson were quoted out of context. (GQ magazine had published excerpts from an interview in which Coppola had reportedly said in effect that the three actors had become content to rake in riches and rest on their laurels.) “I have nothing but respect and admiration for them,” he said at the Rome news conference. “These are the three greatest actors in the world today and they are my friends. So I have nothing but affection for them.”

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Have you ever wondered what happened to Brokeback Mountain’s closeted Ennis Del Mar after the heartbreaking loss of his lover Jack Twist? Wonder no more: A sequel is in the works!

Although we won’t be seeing his pal Jake Gyllenhaal, 26, Heath Ledger, 28, is currently in negotiations to reprise his role as Ennis. “It will follow the nasty process of being openly gay in 1963 Wyoming, an insider tells OK!. “Ennis will finally come out of the closet.”

We hope the Ennis realizes he’s in the wrong profession: He could be the cowboy from the Village People. He’s got the outfit already, hasn’t he?

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20th Century Fox has set a May 1, 2009 release date for Hugh Jackman starrer X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which director Gavin Hood (Rendition, Tsotsi) begins shooting later this year. David Benioff wrote the script.

“Wolverine” is expected to feature many other mutants — some new to the film franchise and some from one or more of the three “X-Men” films. Liev Schreiber is reportedly in final talks to take on the role of a younger version of nemesis William Stryker, played by Brian Cox in X2.

As of now, the only other film staking out the May 1, 2009, date is Disney’s animated film G-Force.

The film explores the claw-wielding character Wolverine’s violent and romantic past, and his complex relationship with Victor Creed and the ominous Weapon X program, as well as his encounters with other mutants.

Hood will start shooting in Australia before moving to New Zealand and, later, to New Orleans.

Producing are Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter, producers of the “X-Men” movies, along with Jackman and producing partner John Palermo through their Seed Productions. Marvel’s Kevin Feige will executive produce.

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I love the X-Men movies, and Hugh Jackman’s hot.  ‘nough said.

John Cho and Simon Pegg have boarded the Starship Enterprise.

Cho has been cast as Sulu, the Enterprise’s helmsman, while Pegg has signed on to play Scotty, the ship’s Scottish chief engineer, in J.J. Abrams’ “Star Trek” feature for Paramount.

The “Trek” casting deals appear to be closing at warp speed this week, with Eric Bana signing on Wednesday to play the movie’s villain, Nero.

Already on board are Zoe Saldana as Uhura and Anton Yelchin as a young Chekov, the Russian-born navigator, as well as Zachary Quinto as a young Spock. Leonard Nimoy, who originated the role of Spock, is on board as well. Chris Pine is in talks to play the young Kirk.

The movie is expected to shoot from November-March.

Plot details are begin kept under wraps, but it is understood that the movie chronicles the early days of the Enterprise crew. The lead roles remaining to be cast are Christopher Pike, the first captain of the Enterprise, and Kirk’s parents.

Montgomery “Scotty” Scott was the ship’s third-in-command and was known for his problem-solving abilities in plot-critical situations. The role was originated by the late James Doohan.

Lt. Hikaru Sulu, known for his love of fencing, always was seen on deck piloting the ship next to Chekov. George Takei played the character in the 1960s TV series and the 1980s movies.

Cho starred as Harold in the cult hit “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle.” He is reprising the role for the sequel.

Pegg, starred in “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz.” He next toplines David Schwimmer’s comedy “Run, Fat Boy, Run.”

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The Hollywood Reporter says that a slew of young actors are testing for the roles of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Aquaman, Green Lantern and the Martian Manhunter in George Miller’s big screen Justice League adaptation. The director is seeing 35-40 actors for roles in the Warner Bros. comic book movie from Sunday through Monday.

Included in the casting sessions are: Adam Brody (”The O.C.”), Joseph Cross (Running With Scissors), D.J. Cotrona (”Windfall”), Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Grindhouse), Michael Angarano (Sky High), Teresa Palmer (The Grudge 2), Max Thieriot (Jumper) and rapper Common.

The trade adds that the cast of NBC’s “Friday Night Lights” is well-represented as well, with Minka Kelly, Adrianne Palicki and Scott Porter also among those testing for parts.

Miller is reportedly looking for the young actors to grow into their roles over the course of several movies. The director is due to present his findings to the studio midweek.

ComingSoon.net via ONTD