Casting Net: Johnny Depp embracing Transcendence. Plus: Bradley Cooper, Rhys Ifans, Katt Williams

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Johnny Deppis in talks to star inTranscendence, the directorial debut of A-list cinematographer (and notedAvengers non-fan)Wally Pfister (The Dark Knight Rises, Moneyball,Inception). The plot is top secret at this point, though given the title, were thinking undead pirates are likely not involved. First-time feature screenwriterJack Paglenpenned the script. [Variety]

In other intriguing-projects-being-kept-under-wraps news,Bradley Cooper is in preliminary talks to join Emma Stone inwriter-directorCameron Crowes next untitled project about which we know nothing other than it is destined to have a killer soundtrack. [Deadline]

The Amazing Spider-MansRhys Ifans has signed onto an adaptation of Gustave Flauberts classic tragic novelMadame Bovary.He will playMonsieur Lheureux, the scheming merchant who tricks the title adulteress (Mia Wasikowska) into falling into a mountain of crushing debt.Ezra Miller (The Perks of Being a Wallflower) andPaul Giamatti costar in the film, to be directed bySophie Barthes (Co! ld Souls) from a script by rookie screenwriterRose Barreneche. [Variety]

ComedianKatt Williamsis joining the storied cast ofScary Movie 5in an unspecified starring role. He joinsLindsay Lohan,Mike Tyson,Charlie Sheen,Heather Locklear,Kate Walsh, andAshley Tisdale. DirectorMalcolm Lee(Soul Men,Undercover Brother) is taking on helming the horror spoof franchise for the first time, from a script fromScary Movie 3 and4directorDavid Zucker. [THR]

Dominic Monaghan will star in the fantasy family filmMolly Moon, about an orphan girl (Snow White and the HuntsmansRaffey Cassidy) who can hypnotize anyone around her. Monaghan will play a thief bent on landing Mollys priceless book on hypnosis.Christopher Rowley (Bonneville) is directing the adaptation of theGeorgia Byng novel. [Variety]

Lily Rabe (American Horror Story) will star in and produceWere Just Married, a romantic comedy about a love triangle penned by the Tony-nominated actress father David Rabe(Hurlyburly,The Firm).Rodrigo Garcia(Albert Nobbs) is directing. [Deadline]

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