BBC - Movies -news article - High Noon

		Gibbo, King Of The Jungle Mel Gibson has emerged from the jungles of Veracruz to break the secrecy surrounding his in-the-works epic Apocalypto. We already know it's being filmed in an ancient Mayan dialect and uses a cast of locals to tell a story set 600 years ago but, he says, "That is merely the backdrop of what I am doing." "Although [the Mayan culture] is an integral part of the story, what I'm doing is creating an action-adventure of mythic proportions - and I am a megalomaniac, so I like the position." He went on to explain that the title comes from the ancient Greek word for an unveiling and new beginning, referring to the fall of the Mayan civilisation in readiness for something else, ie Spanish rule and, we assume, the Catholicism that came with it. Meanwhile Mexican locals are already reporting images of Gibbo appearing in their tortillas...

		Garner On Sabbatical Jennifer Garner hasn't even popped her sprog yet and she's already signed up for erotic thriller Sabbatical. She'll play one half of a couple experiencing the seven-year itch who decide to take a break from their marriage. Within the prescribed two weeks they give each other permission to do whatever they like with whomever they please, but when it's over, Garner's character returns home to find her husband has disappeared. No director is attached as yet, but Paul Verhoeven is probably beating down the doors at Touchstone.

		Wilson Can't Keep Secret Owen Wilson has pulled out of Mark Waters' comedy drama The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty. Apparently he grew frustrated with the failure to cast a female lead. Scarlett Johansson had emerged as a front-runner after screen-testing with Wilson this month, but a deal never closed. Insiders say Zach Braff is now being eyed as Mitty in a remake of the 1947 classic. Paramount honchos are saying nothing except that the project is in "turnaround", meaning that it's currently off their production slate. They also deny that Wilson's departure was prompted by a failure to cast his leading lady. Meanwhile producer Samuel Goldwyn Jr has cited "creative differences" as the cause for postponement.

		Cole Gets Strange British helmer Nigel Cole (Calendar Girls) is set to direct the true story Strange Son for Julia Roberts' production company Red Om. There is no official word on whether JR will star in the film, but it sounds like good Oscar-bait for the recent mum of twins. The story follows a mother's quest to communicate with her autistic son using a language of 'touches' that drowns out static in the brain. Ghost scribe Bruce Joel Rubin has adapted the story from a book by Portia Iverson - wife of producer Jon Shestack and mother to an autistic son. Cole is said to have pursued the project aggressively after reading Rubin's script.

		Saw Cuts Deep Horror sequel Saw II has cut a swathe to the top of the US box office. It opened with $30.5m (£17.1m) to make it the biggest opening in history for Lions Gate Films (topping last years fright fest Fahrenheit 9/11). It's also the biggest opening this autumn season, which has been worryingly humdrum for the studios. The Legend Of Zorro debuted in second place bagging $16.5m (£9.3m) and took the No 3 spot in the UK with $2.8m (£1.6m). Banderas and CZJ are well behind Nanny McPhee which rang up $5.3m (£2.9m) and Wallace & Gromit who are still top dog with $6.5m (£3.6m) in the third week of release. Perhaps if Banderas had a chainsaw instead of a sword...