Queen of the Dessert

Nicole Kidman is replacing Naomi Watts in the Gertrude Bell biopic. The film, about the 20th Century explorer, will also star Robert Pattinson and James Franco. ”Bell is the iconic explorer, writer, archeologist and attaché for the British Empire who is credited with helping to catalyze the formation of the Middle East at the dawn of the 20th century. The story plays with the sweep of Lawrence Of Arabia, potentially, and Kidman seems a nice match for the material.” (Deadline)

Somnia

Katee Sackhoff (“Riddick”) has signed for Mike Flanagan’s next film. ”Somnia is described as a haunting, emotionally absorbing horror film about an orphaned child whose dreams — and nightmares — manifest physically as he sleeps. The film explores the enduring bonds between parent and child and is punctuated by sequences of intense, visceral terror that only a child’s imagination could conjure.” (Deadline)

Beyond the Green Inferno

Hot on the heels of the TIFF premiere of “Green Inferno”, director-producer Eli Roth and Worldview Entertainment have teamed up on a sequel. Nicolas Lopez, who worked with Roth on “Aftershock”, will direct the film. Principal lensing will start in spring 2014 in Chile and Peru. (Variety)