Well, Woody Allen's newest film might not be generating the same buzz as his sexy Spanish romp, Vicky Christina Barcelona, but Allen is still out pounding the pavement for his latest romantic comedy. In a conversation with Duane Dudek of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Allen confirmed that he has finally christened his latest film Whatever Works. The flick stars Larry David and Evan Rachel Wood in what has been described as a "May-December romance". In the interview with the Sentinel, Allen tells Dudek that the film will be a comedy, but, "a slightly different one for me. It's a blackish comedy." -- and if there is one guy who has earned the right to be a little bitter about romance, it's Allen.

When it comes to David, it should come as no surprise that Allen is thrilled with his choice of leading man; the two seem perfect for each other. Allen tells the Sentinel, "He's got a great thing of his own. He's got a great, what would you call it, sarcastic, sour or vitriolic, wonderful, wonderful, no nonsense sense of humor." But don't feel bad for co-star Evan Rachel Wood; Allen saved a little of the praise for his latest ingénue, saying he was "stunned at how great" Wood was, despite her only being 20. So feel free to fill in your own joke about Allen and young girls here, because after 16 years of Soon-Yee jokes, I have officially run out of material.

Whatever Works is slated for release in 2009.

[Thanks: Big Screen Little Screen]

Is it just me, or has famed director Woody Allen hit a rough patch with comedy over the last few years? Sure, his dramas are still bringing in good reviews, but it seems like his recent comedies just haven't worked with audiences like they used to -- and believe me, it pains me to say this considering I think he's one of the funniest people on the planet. The Bad and Ugly has posted some new on-set photos from Allen's latest (and yet to be titled) comedy starring Evan Rachel Wood and Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm). In the photos, everyone looks to be enjoying themselves, and while there is nothing earth shattering going on, it's nice to see Allen back at work in New York, after working the crowds at Cannes for Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

Like most of Allen's projects, not much is known about the story. Judging from what we've seen so far, it looks like Allen is going back to May-December romances and all the complications they can entail -- something the writer-director has plenty of real life experience with. But as much as I love the man, it has always been a bit of a struggle to overlook his somewhat 'lecherous leanings'. I know he has always had a thing for 'ingénues', but back in the day it was actresses like Diane Keaton and Dianne Wiest. These days, however, it's Scarlett Johansson and Evan Rachel Wood, and I'm not convinced that they even belong in the same category. Are you?

Egads! Is that Evan Rachel Wood dating Larry David? Did she give up on Marilyn Manson? Alas, no. What you see up there is a picture from the set of Woody Allen's new film, which is one of a handful that have popped up on Just Jared. If these are any indication, this untitled romcom could be a good and quirky movie. Wood has that youthful maturity to her (which I imagine is what drew Manson to the actress), and even in crazy stripes, she looks completely comfortable alongside David.

Unlike Woody's recent forays, which seem blissfully free of old men with young women, Woody has dusted off an old project that he had planned to star in himself. However, since he now thinks he's too old, he cast Larry David of Curb Your Enthusiasm fame, to get the young, female action. At this point, all we know is that there's some May-December romance going on, and that Henry Cavill (The Tudors) has nabbed a co-starring gig as a man who gets set up with Wood's character by her mother. Man, she must love David if she's willing to give up Cavill for him.

The film is currently shooting in Manhattan, so if you're in the Big Apple, keep your eyes peeled for David and Wood eating knishes and getting romantic on the Lower East Side.

I'd say it was about time that Woody Allen hired some eye candy that wasn't of the female persuasion. The Hollywood Reporter announced that Henry Cavill (The Tudors) has signed to star in the director's upcoming romantic comedy. The as-yet-to-be-titled film also stars Evan Rachel Wood, Larry David, and Allen. There are very few details about the story, but according to early rumors, Rachel Wood is playing Larry David's love interest. Apparently, Allen originally wrote the starring role for himself, but now feels too old to take it on. Thus, he'll appear in a supporting role.

Cavill is probably best known to most as Charles Brandon, the Duke of Suffolk, but he has also earned the reputation as being one of the unluckiest guys in Hollywood. Cavill was in the final stages of auditions for Batman, Superman and James Bond. Of course, we all know he didn't get those parts, but he did score the lead in Joel Schumacher's upcoming sci-fi thriller, Town Creek. Maybe now that the offers are starting to come in, Cavill can get a reputation for being something other than an 'almost was.' Allen's film is currently in production in his old stomping grounds (aka New York City) and is set for release in 2009.

There is just something about Evan Rachel Wood that makes her appealing to older men, gothic or neurotic. After shocking the world by stealing Marilyn Manson away from Dita Von Teese, becoming his girlfriend, and now possibly marrying him, she's starting a professional relationship with another oldie, but this time he's -- much older, and much more known for his interest in younger women -- Woody Allen.

Hollywood Elsewhere has learned that Wood will star in Woody Allen's next film, after Vicky Cristina Barcelona -- one that will have her play Larry David's love interest. Yes, Mr. Curb Your Enthusiasm himself. A man who is forty years older than she is. (See? Old guys left, right, and center, at least for the 20-year-old Wood!) Allen wrote this script a while ago, but feels too old for it, so he picked "the young sexpot Larry David" to take over. I guess that extra dozen years makes all the difference.

This probably means that it will be more like Woody's older fare. Whether that's good or bad, I'm not sure. The voyage overseas did a lot for the filmmaker, and Elsewhere also hears that his latest is very good: "VCB is funny and sweet and sad and way, way better then his last few movies, including Match Point." Then again, Allen is supposed to be doing more films overseas, so maybe it will be a mixture of young and old -- which, well, would be completely fitting for this whole project.

Growing up in a family full of neurotic Jews, I always ever heard three names when it came to entertainment: Woody Allen, Jackie Mason and Seinfeld. My earliest memories of film revolve around Annie Hall, because my parents were literally addicted to it. During my teen years, their addiction moved over to the TV show Seinfeld ... where it still remains till this day (I guarantee you my parents have watched more Seinfeld than anyone on this planet). Needless to say, if Woody Allen and Seinfeld were somehow able to merge, I imagine my parents would explode. Too ... much ... Jewish ... shtick. Well, Mom, Dad, Entertainment Weekly reports that none other than Seinfeld co-creator and Curb Your Enthusiasm star Larry David will head up Woody Allen's next film, which shall mark the writer-directors return home to New York City following a brief stint romancing Scarlett Johansson overseas.

Additionally, Evan Rachel Wood (who's kind of like a mini Johansson if you think about it) will co-star opposite David. The title and plot are still unknown, but the film will apparently begin production this spring. Larry David and Evan Rachel Wood? Now there's an on-screen duo I never thought we'd see. What do you think the plot for this one will be? Older neurotic Jewish man falls for hot, young sexy girl? I can't even begin to imagine how strange it will sound to hear Woody Allen's dialogue coming from Larry David. I can't even wrap my head around it -- you?

To be honest, I can probably count the amount of romantic comedies I've enjoyed on one hand, so, I am probably not the best audience for news on the latest in a what seems like a long line of romcoms starring Luke Wilson. Variety reports that Cheryl Hines -- famous for her turn as the wife of the neurotic Larry David on Curb Your Enthusiasm -- has joined Wilson for Henry Poole is Here. Directed by Mark Pellington, the story centers on "a man who retreats into a life of debauchery, feasting on liquor and fast food, after learning he has only six weeks to live. But his plans go awry thanks to his oddball neighbors." I'll take a wild guess and presume that Hines is on board for a wacky neighbor role -- especially in the wake of positive reviews for her work as a supportive sidekick in the indie film Waitress.

For the most part, Henry Poole sounds like a dark comedy, which is not that far off from Pellington's other upcoming projects; a war drama with Chris Evans, and a story about a violent misanthrope starring Nicholas Cage. The script for Poole was written by Albert Torres, a first time writer, and the cast also includes Radha Mitchell (Melinda and Melinda), which will probably be where the romance comes in, and Adriana Barraza (Babel). Despite Hines' skill with comedy, she has had more than her share of roles in films that really didn't do her justice. I hope Poole, and the upcoming Zak Penn mockumentary The Grand are going to be a better use of her talents.

I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With is the directorial debut of Jeff Garlin. Known to many as Larry David's manager/sidekick on Curb Your Enthusiasm, Garlin also wrote and starred in the film, which takes a bittersweet, episodic stroll through the work, woman and weight problems of a Chicago-based 30-something comedian (guess who). Cheese, which flirts with being a meta-remake of Paddy Chayefsky's Marty, is full of references to film, but in the hands of Garlin, a self-professed "fan of the classics," the pop culture allusions are sharp but never snarky. I sat down with Jeff at the Tribeca Grand this week -- here's the video evidence.

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There are loads of people who don't want to see Brokeback Mountain, and they've all got their reasons. Some of them might hate Ang Lee, or be allergic to horses. Others just think it looks dumb. Some, however, just don't dig on the whole Gay Thing. Larry David, proudly, counts himself as one of these - sort of. Though he insists that he's got nothing against people who happen to be gay ("I love gay people. Hey, I've got gay acquaintances. Good acquaintances, who know they can call me anytime if they had my phone number."), David nevertheless has a creeping fear of the masculine homosexuality on display in the movie. It's not that he's disturbed by the thought of watching two macho men in love - far from it. Instead, he's afraid might find the whole thing so appealing that he'll walk out of the theater gay. And then where would he be, what with the wife and everything?