Director Michel Hazanavicius is in talks to direct Universal Pictures’ adaptation of Erik Larson’s non-fiction book In the Garden of Beasts, with star Tom Hanks apparently keen to get The Artist helmer onboard. Natalie Portman is also being eyed for the project, according to Deadline.
The film will star Tom Hanks as a Chicago professor, William Dodd, who becomes America’s first ambassador to Hitler’s Germany before the dictator became a threat to the world. On his first trip to Berlin, the professor soaks in the scenery with his daughter Martha (Natalie Portman), who becomes involved with some high ranking members of the Third Reich. Soon after he realises the evil intentions of the Reich and alerts the State Department, only to be met with a cold shoulder.
If Hazanavicius does come onboard, he will rewrite the script, with the hope they can shoot next year.
Paul Giamatti, Jason Schwartzman, and Ruth Wilson have joined Disney’s Saving Mr. Banks for director John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side), bolstering a cast that already includes Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks.
Saving Mr. Banks got off the ground with a strong cast already attached, as Tom Hanks is set to play Walt Disney and Emma Thompson as Mary Poppins author PL Travers. Now Colin Farrell is in negotiations to join the Walt Disney Pictures film, according to 
A few days ago is was revealed that Disney was busy tying up the rights to the script Saving Mr. Banks, with Tom Hanks rumored to play Walt Disney and Meryl Streep as P.L. Travers. Now 
Disney making a film about Walt Disney is either a perfect fit or too close to home. It may be happening though as 
Catherine Keener is always a good addition to a cast, and Paul Greengrass knows that, as he’s just signed her up for his upcoming movie, Captain Phillips. Keener joins Tom Hanks, who’s been attached to the movie for several months.