Screen Talk: Elizabeth Banks and Beach Boy make waves

Tinseltown Insider

Elizabeth Banks has signed to not one but two indie films (Getty Images)

Elizabeth Banks has signed to not one but two indie films. She's aboard the Beach Boys biopic Love & Mercy written by Oren Moverman (The Messengers) and directed by Bill Pohlad, which takes an unconventional look at the life of Brian Wilson. She's also signed to Little Accidents opposite Boyd Holbrook.

New York story is Knightley's type

Fox Searchlight has acquired the rights to Suzanne Rindell's debut novel The Other Typist as a vehicle for Keira Knightley, who is attached to star in and produce. The novel follows a lonely typist in a police precinct whose friendship with a co-worker introduces her to the glamorous underworld of 1920s New York.

Hair-raising new role for Javier

Javier Bardem has revealed his hairstyle in Ridley Scott's The Counselor was modelled on one of Hollywood's famous producers Brian Glazer, who is recognisable for his shock of spiky jet-black hair. Bardem stars alongside Michael Fassbender and Brad Pitt in the film about a lawyer hanging with the wrong crowd.

Hollywood stock boosted by Stone

Despite a rough patch in late June, the first six months of 2013 have been very good for Hollywood stocks. Six of the seven major entertainment giants have outpaced the 10.3 per cent rise from the S&P 500. DreamWorks Animation rose 46.6 per cent, thanks to the success of The Croods, voiced by Nicolas Cage and Emma Stone.

Peña takes on priestly duties

Michael Peña will play a priest in The Vatican Tapes, a project directed by Mark Neveldine (Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance). The cast also boasts Djimon Hounsou, Dougray Scott, Kathleen Robertson and Peter Andersson. It details the story of an ordinary young woman who begins to cause death or injury to those around her.

Detective duo mean business

Leonardo DiCaprio is reteaming with Jamie Foxx for a Warner Bros- backed crime film Mean Business on North Ganson Street based on S Craig Zahler's crime novel. Zahler will write the script. The two actors are attached to the story of two detectives who team up to stop a series of attacks on a police department.