Eddie Murphy Joins Ben Stiller In 'Tower Heist'

Well, this is an interesting twist. Eddie Murphy looks like he's set to make his first movie worth caring about in over a decade, joining Ben Stiller in the Brett Ratner-directed "Tower Heist."

Ok, so here comes the interesting part. Way back in the film's earliest development it was being groomed as a vehicle for Murphy (with Chris Rock and Chris Tucker also once attached) passing through a number of screenwriting hands until this year when it became a Ben Stiller vehicle with Noah Baumbach being brought on board to polish the script, particularly, Stiller's character.

It will be interesting to see Murphy actually act in a role that doesn't require him to voice animals, play fifteen different parts or generally pander to five-year-olds in the audience. We also wager his usually high price tag has been brought down considerably to allow him to join the film. Murphy joins Stiller and Alan Alda in the film that will follow an "overworked manager of a luxury building (Stiller) who, along with other staff, lost their pensions to a Bernie Madoff-like Wall Street crook (Alda). It so happens that the fraudster is being held under house arrest in the luxury penthouse apartment upstairs, and the manager and four cohorts figure a heist will make them whole." No word yet on Murphy's part but we imagine he will be one of the crew working with Stiller.

So, could this be the first time in history we're actually sort of looking forward to a Brett Ratner film? Maybe. But we'll wait to see how the rest of the cast shapes up first. [EW]

>>> Eddie Murphy Joins Ben Stiller In 'Tower Heist' >>>

Alan Alda Joins Paul Rudd In 'Wanderlust' & Ben Stiller In 'Tower Heist'

Alan Alda's lengthy resume of gold is too long to mention, but needless to say, the guy rules and is incredibly funny, so consider us excited that he will lend his talents to two upcoming Universal comedies.

First up, he will join the ensemble cast of the forthcoming comedy "Wanderlust." Written by the "The State" duo of Ken Marino and David Wain and directed by the latter, the film already boasts a strong cast including Paul Rudd, Jennifer Aniston, Lauren Ambrose, Justin Theroux and Malin Ackerman. The film, which is being produced by comedy heavyweight Judd Apatow, "centers on a married couple (Aniston, Rudd) who try escaping modern society by moving from New York" to a commune headed by Alda. "Wanderlust" is currently filming.

Following that, Alda will lend his talents to the Brett Ratner comedy, "Tower Heist." The working-stiffs-from-New-Yawk tale will star Ben Stiller "as the overworked manager of a luxury building who, along with other staff, lost their pensions to a Bernie Madoff-like Wall Street crook. It so happens that the fraudster is being held under house arrest in the luxury penthouse apartment upstairs, and the manager and four cohorts figure a heist will make them whole." Alda will play the faux-Madoff. Our hope for the film lies in the script written by Ted Griffin ("Ocean's Eleven," "Matchstick Men"), reworked by longtime Brett Ratner collaborator Jeff Nathanson ("Rush Hour 2," "Rush Hour 3") with Noah Baumbach lending his contributions specifically to Stiller's character. Here's hoping Griffin and Baumbach's contributions smother Nathanson's. "Tower Heist" will go in front of cameras in November.

And remember Alan, if it bends its funny, if it breaks, it's not funny. [THR]

>>> Alan Alda Joins Paul Rudd In 'Wanderlust' & Ben Stiller In 'Tower Heist' >>>

Brett Ratner Options 'The Reluctant Communist' With An Eye To Direct

Even though he's getting set to direct Ben Stiller in the caper comedy "Tower Heist" this fall, Brett Ratner is keeping an eye on what's next.

The auteur has optioned the 2008 memoir "The Reluctant Communist," with an eye to possibly direct the film. The story follows U.S. Army sergeant Charles Robert Jenkins, who surrendered to North Korea while drunk and ended up being imprisoned for forty years. As if that isn't odd enough, he became a minor celebrity in the country after being forced to act in anti-American propaganda films.

Ross Katz, writer/director of the TV film "Taking Chance" and producer of "Marie Antoinette" and "Lost In Translation," is penning the screenplay with Rat Entertainment's John Cheng producing. The material sounds great, but we're not convinced Ratner could do it any justice. Here's hoping it finds another director. [Variety]

>>> Brett Ratner Options 'The Reluctant Communist' With An Eye To Direct >>>