When news leaked online, on imdb.com and elsewhere, that the Coen Brothers were handing over one of their scripts to George Clooney for the latter to direct, it felt strange. Many rightly wondered why they just wouldn"t direct it themselves.

Apparently, so did the Coens, laughed Clooney.

"No, no, I wanted to do that, [but] I haven"t stolen that one away from them yet, I think they are going to do it," Clooney said of "Suburbicon." "I think they are going to direct it, but I love that project. I have a part in it that I would love to play." Read more...

- Mazel Tov! Coen Brothers nab rights to "The Yiddish Policemen's Union," an alternate history written by Pulitzer Prize winner (and "Spider-Man 2" scribe) Michael Chabon. (Variety)

- Could Will Ferrell be the next centerfold in Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue? Funnyman teams up with Heidi Klum for a "Semi-Pro" photo shoot. (Sports Illustrated)

- Marisa Tomei grapples the lead for Darren Aronofsky’s "The Wrestler." (Variety)

- If the body is willing ... Frank Miller signs on for two sequels to "The Spirit." (Superhero Hype)

- New Line is tricksy and false, according to lawsuit filed by Tolkien estate. (Telegraph)

After appearing in a half-dozen instant classics, Tommy Lee Jones has stumbled over the past few years with "Man of the House," "The Missing" and "The Hunted"; after helming a half-dozen instant classics, the Coen Brothers have similarly been tripped up by the likes of "The Ladykillers" and "Intolerable Cruelty." It would seem that they need each other - and judging by the buzz around their upcoming flick, they make a helluva team.

"I don't think there's any question," Jones told us recently about "No Country for Old Men." "It's the best movie the boys have done." Read more...