BBC - Movies -news article - High Noon

		Damon's Due East Matt Damon will star in Marco Polo as the titular 13th-century explorer. Kingdom Of Heaven scribe William Monahan has just been hired to pen the historical epic using Polo's own journal 'Travels' as source material. Polo ventured farther into Asia than any Westerner before him. His journey took 24 years, during which Polo became a confidante of Kublai Khan and witness to many technological advances of China and Mongolia. He also had really big, white, shiny teeth - or so we're led to assume.

		Depp Heads Down Johnny Depp will produce an adaptation of A Long Way Down, the new novel by best selling Brit scribe Nick Hornby. The plot follows four suicidal people who meet on New Year's Eve and form a surrogate family to help each other through the difficult holiday period. There's no word on whether Depp will also take a role, but it seems likely as he enthuses, "This book is brimming with some of the most outstanding characters I've ever had the pleasure of reading." On top of that, "The cinematic possibilities are extraordinary." See for yourself as the novel hits UK shops this week.

		Witherspoon's Off Around The World Reese Witherspoon is also popping on her producer's hat and has first option to star in Around The World In 80 Dates. It's a (guess what!) romantic comedy adapted from the memoir by Jennifer Cox, which made the bestseller list in the UK. It tells the story of a travel writer's attempts to find her soul mate. She sent her profile to contacts around the world and travelled the globe, going on dates with the top 80 candidates in 16 countries. Cue that Lisa Stansfield song.

		Stars Align For Dylan The stars are lining up for I'm Not There, an "unconventional" biopic of Bob Dylan to be directed by Todd Haynes. Cate Blanchett, Colin Farrell, Adrien Brody, Richard Gere, and Julianne Moore have all signed the dotted line for the film, which follows seven characters that each embodies a different aspect of Dylan's life story and music. Dylan has given his seal of approval to the project, which Haynes has been hard at work developing since Far From Heaven. Shooting is tentatively scheduled for the autumn.

		Timberlake Goes For The Green Justin Timberlake has signed up for Shrek 3. It was announced at an animation convention on Sunday that he'll provide the voice of Artie, King Harold's rebellious nephew. (We can only hope no singing is involved.) At the event, Timberlake and Mike Myers read a scene from the script where the sometime boy-bander was met with a rousing reception from an audience of kiddies. "So is this an audition?" he asked. Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and Antonio Banderas will reunite for the sequel, which is scheduled for release in May 2007.

		Hitchhiker's Ride To The Top The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy has topped the US box office with a relatively modest $21.7m (£11.5m). A similar result is expected on this side of the pond, but the numbers are still being counted after the bank holiday weekend. Meanwhile XXX: State Of The Union sputtered into a disappointing third place behind The Interpreter with $13.7m (£7.2m). Apparently this vehicle only runs on Diesel.

		Role Call Fresh off hit comedy Hitch, Kevin James has signed to star in another laffer called Man In Uniform. He'll play a beleaguered everyman whose life radically changes after he takes possession of a policeman's missing uniform... Garden State's Zach Braff will team up with Amanda Peet (Something's Gotta Give) for Fast Track. Indie filmmaker Jesse Peretz will direct the comedy about an underachiever who's forced to take a job working for his father-in-law when his high-flying wife becomes pregnant. Shooting begins in July in Los Angeles... The Amityville Horror star Melissa George will join Josh Duhamel (Win A Date With Tad Hamilton) in suspense thriller Turistas. Blue Crush helmer John Stockwell will direct the film about a group of young adventure travellers who must cope with the aftermath of a bus accident that maroons them in a remote Brazilian beach town. Cameras roll in Brazil on 25th May.