Gong Li cast in Chinese remake of What Women Want

Gong Li will star in Chen Daming’s Chinese remake of the romantic comedy What Women Want with Andy Lau. Gong,who next appears opposite John Cusack in the World War II thriller Shanghai,is one of the most globally recognized Chinese actresses. She won the Women role over the much younger Fan Bingbing,who in March was reported to have joined the cast. Gong will play the creative director at a Beijing advertising firm run by a chauvinistic (and mind-reading) Lau. Gong’s manager,Christophe Tseng,told The Hollywood Reporter that the contract was likely to be signed in a few days.
Chen,who adapted the script by Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa from the hit 2000 film starring Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt,said Gong is a natural for the lead. “I wanted to bring more strength out in the woman character to reflect what’s happening in China,” said Chen,an actor who most recently directed 2006’s One Foot Off The Ground. “Chinese women are leading giant businesses today and winning most of our Olympic gold. Gong Li has the presence to convey this strength.”
Fan,who starred opposite Lau in Future X-Cops and Battle Of Wits,is “too young,” Chen said. “Seeing her again opposite Andy wouldn’t be fresh. Gong Li brings something fresh.”
Both actresses are highly visibly sponsors of cosmetic products targeting China’s newly ascendant middle-class woman. Chen hopes to deliver the film,shot mostly in downtown Beijing and on the China Film Group’s Huairou soundstages,in time for a Valentine’s Day release.

Paul Rudd to star in My Idiot Brother
Paul Rudd will star as the title character in My Idiot Brother,a comedy being directed by Jesse Peretz. Rudd will play an idealist trying to cope with his overbearing mother,who crashes into the homes of his three ambitious sisters and brings,in succession,truth,happiness and a sunny disposition into their lives while also wreaking havoc. Production is slated to begin in July in New York,with the parts of the sisters to be cast soon. In keeping with the family affair,the script is written by Peretz’s sister,Evgenia Peretz,along with David Schisgall. “Everyone on earth who has a brother has an idiot brother,” Bregman said. “I come from a family of three brothers,so I know that better than anyone. And what could beat the prospect of working with Jesse and Paul,who are like brothers to each other,to bring that message out into the world?”
Peretz,whose directing credits include episodes of Comedy Central’s Important Things With Demetri Martin,worked with Rudd on the 2001 indie comedy The Chateau. Rudd next stars opposite Steve Carell in the comedy Dinner For Schmucks,to be released in July. James Brooks’ How Do You Know,in which Rudd stars opposite Reese Witherspoon,is slated for a December 17 opening.