David Fincher is a busy, busy man. In comparison to his Hollywood contemporaries, it seems like the "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" director is always working on a new project, whether it's live action or animated. "Dragon Tattoo" comes out today, and the prospect of directing two sequels should keep his scheduled tied up for now.

But when Fincher talked to MTV News, he was more than happy to dish on the progress of some other projects. You might not know, but he's in the process of developing a Disney-sponsored version of "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," the famous Jules Verne novel. Though the book wasn't important for Fincher while growing up, he was fascinated by the concept.

"The idea of a post-Civil War version of science fiction and the notion of being able to breathe underwater was so radical in its thinking. That's pretty cool," he said. "If you're going to do big tent-pole teenage PG-13 summer movies, it's kind of cool that it would be this."

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Michael Jackson

Hollywood actors, better start practicing your best moon walk and memorizing the "Thriller" dance.

Showblitz is reporting that Michael Jackson's estate is shopping the idea for a biopic for the late pop star around Hollywood. Apparently Ivan Reitman and Tom Pollock's production company has been approached about potentially producing the project. Apparently the pic would only cover certain periods of Jackson's life (read: some Neverland controversies may never be told). Now it's time for the speculation for who should play the King of Pop to begin!

Check out the rest of today's film news after the jump!

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A lot of directors have been named in connection with the Angelina Jolie-starring "Cleopatra," from "Bourne" mastermind Paul Greengrass to "Avatar" visionary James Cameron. Neither of those guys ended up behind the camera, leaving the door open at the moment.

But perhaps the door is closing with the arrival of David Fincher, the Oscar-nominated director of "The Social Network" and the upcoming American adaptation of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo." Fincher's name was first mentioned for "Cleopatra" in late March, and while his participation remains unconfirmed, Angelina herself told MTV News that she's definitely talked with the "Fight Club" filmmaker about the possibility of bringing ancient Egypt to life.

"It's all very early," she cautioned us, adding, "Fincher's been an old friend, so we've always been looking for something to do [together]."

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Robert PattinsonSome of Hollywood's most popular young actors are about to become the stars of the latest anime-to-movie sensation.

The upcoming live-action remake of "Akira" is coming together for its planned August start date, and Splash Page reports on a list of actors who've allegedly received the script: Robert Pattinson, Andrew Garfield and James McAvoy are just some of the names reportedly in contention for roles. Casting is far from finalized, however, so we'll have to wait and see how this one shakes out.

We have more news past the jump, including who might end up directing "Cleopatra," which horror writer might be penning a "The Walking Dead" episode and what ever happened to Brad Pitt's "World War Z" adaptation.

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Paul GreengrassDespite producer Scott Rudin's claims that the long-anticipated Angelina Jolie-starring 3-D "Cleopatra" flick is right around the corner, that film's potential director Paul Greengrass is planning to bring another famous historical figure to life (and death) first.

New York Magazine reports that Greengrass has written a movie called "Memphis" based on his own original research that will follow the events leading up to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1968. How this film affects Greengrass' involvement in the aforementioned "Cleopatra" remains to be seen. Read More...

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Angelina Jolie in AlexanderIt may be a long while before Paul Greengrass makes another movie about a formerly amnesiac spy named Jason Bourne, but that doesn't mean that the acclaimed director is sitting on his keister.

Producer Scott Rudin has revealed to Deadline that "we're pretty close" to locking down a director for Sony's high-profile 3-D historical epic "Cleopatra," which has Angelina Jolie attached to the title role... and Rudin and co. "like the idea" of Greengrass for the gig. The site goes on to say that Jolie has yet to discuss the possibility of Greengrass boarding the project.

Translation: Greengrass hasn't been hired yet, but he's likely at the top of Sony's list. And why wouldn't he be? Greengrass has proved with the last two "Bourne" films, the 9/11 flick "United 93" and the Iraq War movie "Green Zone" that he has a knack for making movies that deliver a perfect balance of spectacle-heavy action, compelling narrative and indelible characters. Sounds like he's the perfect man to bring Brian Helgeland's screenplay, based on Pulitzer Prize-winner Stacy Schiff's biography "Cleopatra: A Life," to the big screen... especially if Sony wants to avoid a financial debacle like the 1963 "Cleopatra" that almost bankrupted Fox. Read More...

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James CameronBefore James Cameron flies back to Pandora, he might stop for a lengthy layover in Egypt.

It was reported last week that the Oscar-winning director might focus on a 3-D version of "Cleopatra" starring Angelina Jolie for Sony Pictures as his next directorial vehicle, and to the dismay of "Avatar" fans everywhere, it appears that this isn't just idle chit chat — according to the director himself, there's a very real chance that "Cleopatra" is his next gig.

"There’s a Cleopatra project in work, meaning that it’s been in development at Sony," the "Avatar" director told the New York Times. "And it’s a subject that’s always fascinated me. So yeah, I’ve been talking to them about it but no decisions have been made."

"But it sounds hot, doesn’t it? I mean, Angelina Jolie and Cleopatra? To me, that’s like a slam dunk," he continued. "Whether I wind up doing it or not, I think it’s going to be a great project." Read More...

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James CameronIt's not set in stone, but file this possibility under highly likely. Deadline is reporting that James Cameron is looking to direct a 3-D version of "Cleopatra" starring Angelina Jolie for Sony Pictures. It's the one project Cameron is seriously mulling in addition to the "Avatar sequel."

What has Cameron's interest so piqued is that Bran Helgeland has reportedly written a killer script, causing Sony to fast-track the PG-13 project. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Jolie is attached to play the female pharaoh. On top of that, Sony is looking to get Brad Pitt involved to play Mark Antony the same way Richard Burton did opposite his lover Elizabeth Burton in the famous 1963 version. Read More...

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Angelina Jolie is very much in demand. That's not exactly the most astute observation -- I think even my dog realizes what's up -- but it's true nonetheless. Rumored and in-development projects for her pop up every couple of months, if not more frequently. With "Salt" out next Friday, MTV's Josh Horowitz got an opportunity to ask Jolie directly what's up with some of her coming, or presumed to be coming, gigs.

"Maleficent"
"Maleficent" is a live-action feature focusing on the titular sorceress who serves as the antagonist in the Disney classic, "Sleeping Beauty." Like "Wicked" did for the villainous "Wizard of Oz" witch, this movie will approach the classic fairy tale from a new perspective.

Says Jolie: Read More...

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Catherine Zeta-JonesCleopatra, the last and legendary Queen of Egypt, entranced quite a few men in her day -- and now it sounds like Steven Soderbergh is the latest to fall under her spell. According to Variety, Soderbergh is planning to direct a 3-D, live-action, rock-n-roll musical called "Cleo" about the Egyptian queen and her lover, Mark Antony. The music has already been written by now-defunct indie rock band Guided by Voices, with a script by James Greer, former bass player for the band.

Soderbergh is courting some big talent for his musical project, too -- he wants Catherine Zeta-Jones to play the Egyptian queen, and Hugh Jackman to play Mark Antony. This is the one part of the project I can get behind, as Jackman has yet to flaunt his musical talent onscreen. And Hugh Jackman in 3-D? Be still my heart! Read More...

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