Casting Net: Charlize Theron to enter 'Murder Mystery.' Plus: Bill Paxton, Amy Ryan, Dane DeHaan

• Regal ice queen, begone! Charlize Theron is in talks to topline Murder Mystery, an Agatha Christie comedy homage directed by John Madden (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel). Theron would also produce the film, scripted by James Vanderbilt (Zodiac), but she may first shoot Mad Max: Fury Road with Tom Hardy. [THR]

• Bill Paxton is in talks to play a CIA agent opposite Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg in 2 Guns, a high-concept crime thriller based on Steven Grant’s graphic novel, about a DEA agent and naval intelligence officer who both purloin mob money unaware the other is working undercover. Baltasar Kormákur (Contraband) is directing. [Variety]

• Amy Ryan (Gone Baby Gone) and Dane DeHaan (Chronicle) are in early negotiations for the West Memphis Three film Devil’s Knot. Ryan would play the wife of private detective Ron Lax (Colin Firth), while DeHaan would play a teenager who knew the three boys murdered boys at the heart of the story. [Variety]

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