The Wrap is reporting that Joel Edgerton, who will next be seen in Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby, has definitely signed on for Kathryn Bigelow and Mark Boal's as yet unnamed film about the hunt for Osama bin Laden.

Tom Hardy, Edgerton’s Warrior costar, along with Idris Elba, Chris Pratt and Guy Pearce are already on board. Still in talks (although its looking good, as opposed to that Clive Owen Oldboy news) are Mark Strong, Jessica Chastain and Edgar Ramirez (Carlos, Domino).

Be still my heart.

Okay, so we’re talking about a film directed by Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker, Near Dark), written by Bigelow and the cowriter (with John Logan) of The Hurt Locker, Mark Boal, with that cast? Since it already has a release date of December 19, 2012 (before a single frame has been shot), this film has moved into my top five most anticipated films of the year.

The film centers on the Navy SEALs' (Remember SEAL Team 6?) mission to capture and kill Osama bin Laden, and the battles that resulted in the death of the terrorist leader on his compound in early May.

Although the producers have been criticized by some Republican politicians, including Rep. Peter King (R-New York) who has said that the Office of the Inspector General at Defense is investigating whether Bigelow and Boal received classified information regarding bin Laden's death; the White House has denied the allegations. The film has been in development since 2008, indeed there are several ‘bin Laden based’ projects in various stages of development involving the likes of Oliver Stone and George Clooney. 

Sony Pictures is distributing Bigelow’s film. "With the death of Osama bin Laden, this film could not be more relevant. Kathryn and Mark have an outstanding perspective on the team that was hunting the most wanted man in the world," Co-Chair Amy Pascal said in a statement released after bin Laden's death.

That’s all well and good. Just give me a decent movie with Edgerton, Hardy, Strong, Elba, Ramirez and Pearce and I’ll buy a ticket. I’ll buy ten tickets.

Okay, now who wants pics?

Kathryn Bigelow made Oscar history by being the first woman to win a Best Director Award.  I was thrilled for this win but also kind of thought ‘hey it’s 2010’.  Mind you I don’t know that there are a lot of women directors out there.  I thought it was interesting that Barbra Streisand presented the award considering she was snubbed years ago in the director category.  I loved when upon announcing the winner Barbara said ‘It’s about time’ (or something to that effect).

I don’t think there were any major surprises because all of the winners were already heavily predicted to win.

Although the buzz was that Kathryn Bigelow would win for Best Director I was a bit surprised The Hurt Locker won for best picture.  Not because I didn’t think it would or should, but because the buzz seemed to be surrounding Avatar.

Of all the Oscar speeches I have to say Jeff Bridges, Mo’Nique and Sandra Bullock’s were the most moving.  Even Sandra’s husband Jesse James was moved to tears.

Lots of other random people were in the press room with the winners.  There are a few pictures of Gerard Butler who seemed to really be enjoying being back there.  There is one of him and Bradley Cooper sandwiched in amongst some winners.

Also in the press room:

• Ali Sheedy
• Molly Ringwald
• Robin Williams
• Judd Nelson
• Macaulay Culkin
• Anna Kendrick
• Rachel McAdams
• Jake Gyllenhaal
• Tom Ford
• Zac Efron

Winners list here with pictures after the break

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Mila Kunis was on hand at the Writers Guild Awards last night in Los Angeles where Kathryn Bigelow’s The Hurt Locker and Jason Reitman’s Up In The Air won Best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay respectively.

The buzz is that Kathryn is a favourite for Best Director at the Oscars.  If she does she will make Oscar history for being the first woman to ever win. Sofia Coppola was the first woman ever nominated in 2003 for Lost in Translation.

Also in attendance last night:

• James Cameron
• Cheryl Hines
• Morgan Freeman
• John Corbett
• Larry David
• Judd Apatow
• Lesie Mann
• Jason Segel
• Billy Crystal
• Max Burnett
• Jason Alexander

Pictures after the break

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Kathryn Bigelow beat out ex-husband James Cameron at the Producers Guild Awards last night by winning best film for her movie The Hurt Locker.  Word is, she’s expected to win at next week’s Directors Guld Awards and some are saying last night’s win puts her to the front of the line insofar as Oscar buzz is concerned.

In television, producer of the year for comedy went to 30 Rock (of course) with Mad Men getting the win for drama.

Pictures after the break

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Meryl Streep and Sandra Bullock both got honours for best actress at last night’s 15th Annual Critics Choice Awards with Sandra winning for her role in Blind Side and Meryl for her role in Julie & Julia.  Sandra said the win was an honour and went on to describe just how similar she and Meryl are:

“I love food and sex like Meryl. That’s how similar we are. You guys just didn’t notice it until now. Meryl is a good kisser”

The Hurt Locker received Best Picture and Best Director for Katherine Bigelow. It is the first time a woman has received the award. Ex-husband James Cameron was also up for the award for his movie Avatar, and gave her a standing ovation when she won.

Avatar won six awards including:  Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Editing, Best Visual Effects, BestSound and Best Action flick.

Lots and lots of celebrities attended last night’s awards.  For a list of winners as well as all the pictures, click on ‘continued reading’

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