SHORT CUTS: Wayans Signs Up for "G.I. Joe'
Posted Jan. 7, 2008 -- Marlon Wayans is gearing up to star in "G.I. Joe," based on the American soldier action figure created by Hasbro.
Wayans will take on the role of Ripcord, the leader of the military unit. He joins co-stars Rachel Nichols, Sienna Miller, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and Said Taghmaoui in the film. The war-themed story, set 10 years in the future, starts shooting next month in Los Angeles. Wayans, who most recently starred in "Little Man" and "Norbit," is developing a cop action spoof for Paramount alongside brothers Shawn and Keenen Ivory Wayans.
Look for "G.I. Joe" to hit the big screen in August 2009.
Snipes Still Wants Out of Ocala
Wesley Snipes' legal camp continues to work on moving his federal tax-evasion trial out of Ocala, Fla. alleging the city has racial prejudices.
Atorney Robert Barnes filed a motion with a federal appeals court in Atlanta on Friday arguing that U.S. District Judge William T. Hodges erred last month when he denied Snipes' motions to relocate and postpone the trial, reports the Associated Press.
Snipes' camp previously filed two motions to dismiss or transfer the trial out of Ocala, located about 80 miles north of Orlando, claiming the actor could not get a fair trial due to alleged racism.
Barnes also filed a motion Friday to put the trial — scheduled to begin Jan. 14 — on hold until the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rules on the change of venue request. As previously reported, federal prosecutors have denied the racism allegations of Snipes' legal team, saying they have "no basis in reality."
Snipes is charged with fraudulently claiming refunds totaling almost $12 million in 1996 and 1997 for income taxes already paid. The 45-year-old was charged with failure to file returns from 1999 through 2004.
"Vapors" Casting Rumors Cleared Up
Despite previous reports, David Banner and Cuba Gooding Jr. have not been cast in the upcoming biopic about hip hop's legendary Juice Crew, according to the group's co-founder, producer Marley Marl, reports EUR.
Blackfilm.com had previously reported that Marley would be played by Gooding, while Banner would suit up as Biz Markie. The Web site also mentioned that "ATL" co-star Jackie Long would portray Big Daddy Kane and Keke Palmer was selected to play Roxanne Shante. However, Marl tells MTV that no definitive casting choices have been made.
"We're not reaching out — a lot of stars are reaching out to us because that's an important movie in hip-hop history," he said. "It's basically me, Big Daddy Kane and Biz's life story leading up to 1988. How we got there. How we made the golden era pop. ... A lot of ups and downs, a lot of personal sh**. It is what it is.