Posted April 7, 2008 -- "Run Fatboy Run" star Thandie Newton is in final negotiations to play Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in the upcoming Oliver Stone film "W," according to reports.

The movie will look at Bush's formative years and path to the presidency as well as his life inside the White House.  As one of the few cabinet members to serve during both Bush terms, Rice's role in the Bush White House is seen as pivotal. According to those who've read the "W" script, Rice is said to be in a key first scene as well as a number of scenes connected to the Iraq war, according to the Hollywood Reporter. 

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Ioan Gruffudd is in final talks to play former British prime minister Tony Blair.  Josh Brolin, James Cromwell, Elizabeth Banks and Ellen Burstyn had previously been cast as George W., George Sr., Laura and Barbara Bush, respectively. 

Newton next stars in Guy Ritchie's upcoming mob flick "RocknRolla.

Perez Joins CBS Pilot

Rosie Perez has been tapped to star in the CBS' drama pilot "Exit 19. The show features Geena Davis as Gloria, a Manhattan homicide detective and single mom. Perez will play Lorna, Gloria's Brooklyn-born partner on the police force.

Rhames in "The Surrogates"

Ving Rhames will reunite with fellow "Pulp Fiction" veteran Bruce Willis in the sci-fi thriller "The Surrogates," which begins filming later this month under director Jonathan Mostow, reports EUR.

Based on a graphic novel, the Disney film is set in a world where humans live risk-free lives through robot surrogates that are eternally young, perfect-looking versions of themselves. Rhames plays a charismatic cult figure who disdains the use of surrogates and tries to lead an uprising against the "new world order." Willis plays a cop who, through his surrogate, investigates the murders of others' surrogates.