In yet another case of similarly themed battling films, Variety reports that there's a new comedy on the way called Wild Cherry. This is just 11 days after we learned that Overture was going for the Freshly Popped story about a teen girl who is looking for the right guy to take her virginity. Did everyone see Juno and become inspired with thoughts about awkward teens having their first forays into sex?

Whatever the case, Rob Schneider, Tania Raymonde, Kristin Cavallari, Rumer Willis, and Ryan Merriman have signed on for the ensemble comedy, which was written by Chris Charney and will be directed by Dana Lustig. In this story, it's a bit less meat-factory hunting. Schneider is starring as the dad of a high school senior who is looking to give up her virginity to her football-kicker boyfriend. However, she then finds out that he's only dating her for his team's "bang book." Of course, that ends the talk of cherry popping, and she decides to get revenge. Taking a cue from the Greek play Lysistrata, the girl and her friends plan some payback, which I imagine means an all-out sex boycott for all of the "bang book" using jerks of the school.

It sounds like it could be a fun flick, a rarity for Schneider, but I still don't get this current cherry obsession. Regardless, the film heads to Winnipeg on May 7 to begin production.

The last we heard about the casting of Lucy Ewing in the Dallas movie, Erik told us that the dreaded Jessica Simpson had held meetings with Sony about the part; at the time her biggest competition was Miss Lindsay Lohan. Basically, it was a choice between the two most overexposed people on earth who aren't named Paris Hilton. Now, though, it seems as if the power of Simpson's boobs and Lohan's freckles were not enough to get the role: Sony turned them both down. MWHAHAHHAAAA!

According to a story on US Weekly's blog (Yes, they have one. Who knew?), the role has gone to Katie Cassidy (7th Heaven, Click, When a Stranger Calls), who beat out both Simpson and (wait for it) "actress" Kristin Cavallari for the part. (In the name of all that is holy, please let this be a sign Cavallari's 15 minutes are coming to an end.) The best thing abut the US story is that anonymous studio sources told them Simpson didn't get the part largely because of her reputation: "Producers wanted to steer clear of the drama." Not only that, but JLo herself was reportedly opposed to Simpson (and, it must be said, all big stars) as well, because "She doesn't want a diva on the set." Aw. Both a new divorcee AND a diva? Poor Jess.

[via Hollywood Wiretap]

So, you remember Kristin Cavallari? The random blonde who "starred" in an MTV reality show and is still inexplicably all over the gossip pages, and in the media? You know, the even poorer man's Paris Hilton? Well, despite her obvious lack of talent, the girl is apparently about to get another starring role in a movie: Word is that she's the producer's first choice to replace Jessica Simpson in the eagerly awaited (choke) straight-to-DVD Dukes of Hazzard prequel. (Also, speaking of the producer, here's a direct quote from him about the movie: "It's a prequel, like Batman." Honestly. Words fail me.)

Now that they've (sort of) land themselves a washed-up reality chick to play Daisy, producers are still search for the rest of the cast, including the Duke boys, Boss Hogg, Uncle Jesse and, my personal favorite character from the show, Roscoooooe P. Coltrane. (And Flash is going to be a puppy in the prequel! Aw. Jeez, I may have to see it after all.) Interested in the roles? Well, lucky for you, Moviehole has tracked down the casting call. Here are some highlights:

• "Daisy's beauty is hidden under a frumpy dress, big glasses and bigger hair ... She makes some changes in her appearance and suddenly Daisy is breathtakingly hot."
• Bo "tends to run, drive, and leap into things. Literally."
• And new characters, teen twins Brooke and Ali Handy? Get ready, boys: "At the Hazzard County High School, they have reps for doing anything. They like to hang out by Hogg's Ravine, get naked and lather each other up with tanning oil, which has it's [sic] desired effect on Bo and Luke...SOME NUDITY REQUIRED."

Nothing like soft-core porn to increase sales, huh?