After premiering at the Cannes Film Festival, Lionsgate has snapped up the US distribution rights to the thriller Blood Ties starring Clive Owen, Mila Kunis, Billy Crudup, and Marion Cotillard. Guillaume Canet directed the film from a script he co-wrote with James Gray, based on the book Deux Freses, un flic, un truand and the screenplay Les Liens du sang.

The cast also includes Domenick Lombardozzi, Matthias Schoenaerts, Zoé Saldana and James Caan.

Lionsgate says Roadside Attractions will handle the US release.

The synopsis, courtesy of the Cannes Film Festival: "New York, 1974. Fifty year-old Chris has just been released on good behavior after several years in prison following a gangland murder. Waiting for him reluctantly outside the prison gates is his younger brother, Frank, a cop with a bright future. Chris and Frank have always been different, and their father, Leon, who'd raised them alone, seems strangely to prefer Chris - this, despite all his troubles.

Yet blood ties are the ones that bind. Frank, hoping that his brother has changed, is willing to give him a chance; he shares his home, finds him a job, and helps him reconnect with his children and his ex-wife, Monica. But Chris' past quickly catches up to him, and his descent back into a life of crime becomes inevitable. For Frank, this descent proves to be the last in a long line of betrayals, and after his brother's latest transgressions, he banishes him from his life.

But it's already too late; the brothers' destiny will keep bounded, forever..."

The Hollywood Reporter says The Great Gatsby star Leonardo DiCaprio and writer Dennis Lehane are getting back together for their fourth film project, Travis McGee. THR says Lehane will adapt John D. MacDonald's The Deep Blue Good-by with DiCaprio attached to star and Paul Greengrass (the Bourne films) set to direct.

If everything works out, Travis McGee would be the first film adaptation Lehane's done based on someone else's book; Lehane's previously adapted his own books for the screen: Mystic River, Gone, Baby Gone, Shutter Island, and the upcoming Live By Night.

The Deep Blue Good-by synopsis courtesy of book publisher Random House: "Travis McGee is a self-described beach bum who won his houseboat in a card game. He's also a knight-errant who's wary of credit cards, retirement benefits, political parties, mortgages, and television. He only works when his cash runs out, and his rule is simple: He'll help you find whatever was taken from you, as long as he can keep half.

McGee isn't particularly strapped for cash, but how can anyone say no to Cathy, a sweet backwoods girl who's been tortured repeatedly by her manipulative ex-boyfriend Junior Allen? What Travis isn't anticipating is just how many women Junior has torn apart and left in his wake. Enter Junior's latest victim, Lois Atkinson.

Frail and broken, Lois can barely get out of bed when Travis finds her, let alone keep herself alive. But Travis turns into Mother McGee, giving Lois new life as he looks for the ruthless man who steals women's spirits and livelihoods. But he can't guess how violent his quest is soon to become. He'll learn the hard way that there must be casualties in this game of cat and mouse."

_{(Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)}

The Hunger Games' Liam Hemsworth has been tapped to star in the action thriller Aurora Rising for Relativity Media. Christian Gudegast (A Man Apart) penned the screenplay.

According to Relativity, Aurora Rising will star Hemsworth as a Southern California surfer who becomes a military fighter pilot. After proving his worth in a combat mission, he's recruited to join an elite team tasked with testing new aircraft.

In addition to Catching Fire, Hemsworth has the dramatic thriller Paranoia directed by Robert Luketic coming to theaters this year.

_{(Photo by Samir Hussein/Getty Images)}

Will we find out what makes the birds so angry? Will all of our burning questions as to why the pigs are taunting the birds and why they all just can't get along? Maybe, as the Angry Birds movie has moved closer to reality with the hiring of a screenwriter. Emmy-winner Jon Vitti - best known for working on The Simpsons, King of the Hill, and The Office - has landed the job. Vitti's film credits include co-writing The Simpsons Movie and Alvin and the Chipmunks.

Rovio Entertainment also announced the addition of Catherine Winder to the producing team. "I'm very excited that Jon and Catherine have joined us, bringing with them their vast expertise," said Rovio Entertainment CEO Mikael Hed. "I'm confident we are building the right team to deliver an amazing movie experience to our fans."

Sony is aiming for a July 1, 2016 theatrical release of the 3D animated comedy.

_{(Photo © Rovio)}