The Bulletin: Gosling Aborts 'The Lovely Bones'

Sad development: Ryan Gosling (“Lars and the Real Girl,” “Half Nelson”) is out as a star of Peter Jackson’s “The Lovely Bones,” an adaptation of Alice Sebold’s novel in which a slain girl, Susie Salmon, observes her own family’s grief — and her killer’s deeds — on Earth in the afterlife, reports Variety. A day prior to production, Gosling, 20 pounds heavier and a full beard grown for the part (a method, I assume, to appear older), quit due to creative differences with Jackson. In The Los Angeles Times, the director was said to be in shock at the actor’s paunchy appearance. Sadder yet: Mark Wahlberg (!) will substitute for Gosling as Jack Salmon, Susie’s father. Wahlberg’s capable, but not exactly a fair trade. Saoirse Ronan co-stars as Susie, the slain daughter; Stanley Tucci, as Susie’s murderer, George Harvey; and Rachel Weisz, as Susie’s mother. Jackson wrote the script with Philippa Boyens and Fran Walsh. Carolynne Cunningham, Jackson, Walsh and Aimee Peyronnet will produce, and Tessa Ross will executive produce with Ken Kamins and Jim Wilson. “The Lovely Bones” is in production in Pennsylvania.

Hopkins in 'The Wolfman'
Anthony Hopkins will star as Claude Rains' Sir John Talbot in a period update of George Waggner's 1941 classic "The Wolfman" (Feb. 13, 2009), reports MTV. Benicio Del Toro co-stars as Lon Chaney Jr.'s Lawrence Talbot, the prodigal son a werewolf curses in London. Mark Romenek ("One Hour Photo") will direct, with Rick Baker ("American Werewolf in London") as an effects technician. Scott Stuber, Mary Parent, Rick Yorn and Del Toro will produce. Andrew Kevin Walker ("Sleepy Hollow," "Se7en") wrote the script.

Benioff on Cobain
David Benioff ("The 25th Hour" December's "The Kite Runner") will adapt "Heavier Than Heaven," Charles Cross' biography about Nirvana's Kurt Cobain, for Universal Pictures, reports Variety. Eric Fellner, Tim Bevan, Ben Silverman and Graham Larson will produce. Cobain's widow Courtney Love will executive produce with Howard Weitzman.

'Superman' Writers Abort Sequel
Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris ("Superman Returns," "X2: X-Men United") will not write a sequel to Bryan Singer's "Superman Returns," reports Variety. As a result, Warner Bros. is in search of a writer(s) to script "The Man of Steel." Brandon Routh will likely star in the sequel.

Campbell in Negotiations for 'The Birds'
Martin Campbell ("Casino Royale") is in negotiations to direct an update of Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" (1963), an adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier's short story, reports Variety. Naomi Watts ("Eastern Promises," "The Ring") will star. Michael Bay, Andrew Form, Brad Fuller, Peter Guber and Cathy Schulman will produce. Stiles White and Juliet Snowden wrote a draft of the script for Universal Pictures, but revisions await.

Schreiber in Talks for 'Wolverine'
Liev Schreiber is in talks to star as William Stryker, Wolverine's nemesis, in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" (May 1, 2009), reports Variety. Hugh Jackman will co-star, and Gavin Hood ("Rendition") will direct for 20th Century Fox. David Benioff wrote the script. Production will start in the winter in Australia, then relocate to New Zealand and New Orleans. Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter will produce with Jackman and John Palermo Kevin Feige will executive produce.

'Stop-Loss' Trailer Available
The trailer for Kimberly Peirce's "Stop-Loss" (Mar. 28, 2008), with Ryan Phillippe, is now available to view at MTV.