According to Variety, writer-producer-actor John Cusack has signed on to star in the upcoming dark political satire Brand Hauser: Stuff Happens for director Josh Seftel and Avi Lerner's Millennium Films. The versatile Cusack is also scripting the film with Bulworth co-writer Jeremy Pikser and author Mark Leyner, as well as producing with partner Grace Loh through their New Crime production company.

Cusack is set to play an undercover assassin in the film who's pretending to produce a big trade show in order to kill a Middle East oil minister. As he tries to pull off the job, complications (and I'm sure a little comedy) ensue including a wedding between a local pop star and a big-time political figure. Other actors already cast in the film include Hilary Duff (playing, one would assume, the pop star?) the lovely and talented Marisa Tomei and, of course, Cusak's sister Joan.

What, no Jeremy Piven? I can't really believe Cusack would do a movie without him considering he's been in every one of Cusack's films (almost). Maybe its just an oversight? Or, maybe Piven is playing hard-to-get and channeling a little of his Ari Gold character from Entourage? We'll see. Needless to say, it's good to see Cusack returning to a genre and story that's similar to his great work as an assassin at his high school reunion in Grosse Pointe Blank -- a film he co-wrote as well. If Grosse Point Blank is any indication of what we can expect from Brand Hauser: Stuff Happens, I'll definitely be there to see it when it comes out. Still no word on a production schedule or a release date.

I know the Batman Begins rumor mill will be churning for some time; the film has a while until production begins and with big title films there are always a thousand crazy rumors floating around regarding casting news and whatnot. Most of them are easily rejected, while a select few seem plausible enough or come from confirmed, legitimate sources. And sometimes, there are rumors so absurd they just make your jaw drop. I suggest you put on a chinstrap, because this one is jaw drop city.

Batman on Film is the place for Batman rumors. They've got connections like crazy, and they are always on top of their game. They generally weed through the junk, but they've recently shared something crazy just for the sheer wackiness factor. Apparently, some people actually watch G4 TV, and several of those people noticed a news scroller on the bottom of the screen declaring Paul Reubens as the Joker in the new Batman film. BOF insists this is crazy rumor, and Cinematical definitely agrees. Knowing G4 (yes, I'm admitting to watching it sometimes), it could have even been some sort of weird joke the audience didn't pick up on. Whatever it is, it is certainly amusing.