Casting Net: Bradley Cooper in high demand; Plus Jessica Chastain, Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, and more

• Warner Bros. has acquired The Man From Primrose Lane with the intent of developing it into a feature for Bradley Cooper. Chad Feehan (Paranormal Activity 4) will write the screenplay based on James Renner’s novel about a true crime writer who decides to investigate the mysterious murder of a mitten-wearing, West Akron, Ohio recluse. [Deadline]

• Bradley Cooper is also currently in discussions to re-team with Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine) for his next project, tentatively called Chef and described as a “culinary comedy” about a disgraced Paris-based chef attempting to stage a comeback in London. Cooper can be seen alongside Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling in Cianfrance’s upcoming film The Place Beyond the Pines, out in theaters March 29. [Variety]

• Though they haven’t even begun work on Animal Rescue yet, Tom Hardy and Noomi Rapace are currently in talks join Daniel Espinosa’s (Safe House) adaptation of the thriller Child 44. Set in Stalin’s Soviet Union and based on Tom Rob Smith’s novel — the first in a trilogy — is about a devoted war hero whose faith in the system is shaken when he is forced to investigate the death of a child. [The Wrap]

• Charlize Theron is in talks to star in Seth MacFarlane’s A Million Ways to Die in the West, which has been described as a broad comedy in the vein of Blazing Saddles. As his first feature after Ted, MacFarlane is not only co-writing and directing the film — he’ll also star. [THR]

• Jessica Chastain, Colin Farrell, and Samantha Morton have signed on to star in Liv Ullmann’s (Faithless) adaptation of the August Strindberg play Miss Julie, about class, social mores, and relationships. The popular play has been adapted for the screen a number of times, including Mike Figgis’ 1999 version starring Saffron Burrows and the classic 1951 Alf Sjöberg adaptation. [Variety]

• Zac Efron is set to star in Akiva Goldsman’s next film, tentatively titled The Falling. Details are sparse on the secretive project, but the report says the film is “described as an edgy thriller centering around an otherworldly being.” Goldsman, known for writing the screenplays for I Am Legend, A Beautiful Mind, and Cinderella Man, is also a frequent producer and an occasional director. It is presumed that he’ll take on producing, directing, and writing responsibilities for the project. [THR]

• Clear and Present Danger director Phillip Noyce’s action-thriller For the Dogs has found its star in Sam Worthington, who will also serve as a producer on the film. Based on Kevin Wignall’s 2004 novel of the same name, the film will follow a hit-man (Worthington) and a college girl seeking revenge against the people who murdered her family. [Variety]

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