Bardem Unintimidated By Challenge Of Topping Grenier's Portrayal Of Escobar
· Confident that Medellin left enough of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar's life unexplored to warrant another biopic, the Yari Film Group is fast-tracking passion project Killing Pablo (starring Javier Bardem in the role immortalized by Vinnie Chase), though they likely won't be able to squeeze it in before a possible strike next summer. [Variety]
· Comedy Central thinks that Carlos Mencia has at least ten more episodes' worth of Arab and Mexican jokes in him, renewing its inexplicably high-rated Mind of Mencia for a fourth season. [THR]
· Dick Wolf and Disturbia director D.J. Caruso are working on a drama series based on graphic novel character Johnny Dynamite, employing the same 300-style green-screen technology that currently makes everyone in Hollywood so horny. [Variety]
· The fall TV season is off to a slow start, with only Private Practice and Bionic Woman seeming like they have the potential to build into hits. Of course, Carpoolers has yet to debut, so hope for a true breakout is still alive. [THR]
· The Kingdom made just enough money this weekend to keep director Peter Berg working, as he'll develop a film about the 1973 kidnapping of oil heir Jean Paul Getty III for Universal. [Variety]