Cinematical has received this official poster for the film College (click on the image above to enlarge), starring Drake Bell, Andrew Caldwell and Kevin Covais. Basically, this looks to be PCU plus two more kids, as it revolves around three prospective freshman who visit a local college for a weekend of wild antics. They even hook up with a rowdy fraternity who decide to recruit the boys and make them their pledges, humiliating and abusing them (of course). The three boys subject themselves to this in the hopes this fraternity will grant them access to the school's big party scene. Eventually girls get involved (they always do) and a revenge plot is hatched. College was originally due out in early April, but the release has now been pushed to August 29.

Ugh ... just looking at that image above brings back painful memories. Last week was a mess. College. August 29.

Back in August, we brought you news of a new project from night club owner-turned-real estate entrepreneur-turned movie producer Sam Nazarian called College. Nazarian had purchased the spec script from newbie scribes Dan Callahan and Adam Ellison and, now, it appears a director is attached. Sticking with the newbie theme, commercial helmer Deb Hagan has been brought onboard to make her feature directorial debut, while Lionsgate will distribute.

Unfortunately, the pic doesn't appear to have a very original premise, as it revolves around three high school seniors who find themselves right smack in the middle of some wild adventure while touring a college they're thinking about attending. I wonder how many times the screenwriters said to one another, "Man, people are going to think PCU when they read this script. We can't make this PCU." I mean, if I were writing the script, that's what would be on mind -- so, for the time being, let's give these guys the benefit of the doubt. Hopefully they went out of their way to take this familiar premise and create an entirely different story. Right off the bat, we have three main characters instead of one -- not much to go on, but it's a start.

Hagan is probably best known in the film world for her short film Pee Shy which, according to the flick's website, has played in over one billion festivals. However, it's not online yet so if anyone out there has seen Pee Shy, feel free to chime in and let us know what you think about Hagan's direction. No word yet on a cast or production schedule, but since these are first time writers and a first time director, I can't imagine any big stars will find their way onto campus.

Odds and ends from Thursday:

• Man, Josh Brolin is keeping himself busy lately. Hot off films like No Country for Old Men (Coen Brothers) and Grind House (Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarantino), the young actor has just been cast in Ridley Scott's American Gangster, now filming in New York. Damn, talk about a trio of directors to work with back-to-back-to-back -- someone made a birthday wish that came true. Brolin will take on the role of corrupt narcotics investigator, Detective Trupo. Also starring in the film are Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington.
• Night club owner, real estate entrepreneur and movie producer -- it's all in a day's work for Sam Nazarian. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Nazarian has purchased the spec script, College, penned by first time scribes Dan Callahan and Adam Ellison. Pic (which boasts the most original title, like, ever), is apparently about three high school seniors who enjoy one wild and crazy weekend while visiting a nearby college. So, basically, it's PCU with two additional main characters.
• Fox Searchlight has decided to push back the release date of Fast Food Nation, one of this fall's more controversial films. Instead of opening on October 20, the Richard Linklater flick (which James kind of liked when he reviewed it at Cannes) will now open on November 17. At this time, there doesn't appear to be a reason behind the move.

Director Peter Greenstreet's documentary This Divided State, which covered the controversial plan to bring Michael Moore to the ultra-conservative Utah Valley State College in Orem, Utah, has raised the ire of Sean Hannity, who was brought to the college in response to Moore's scheduled appearance. Hannity says he plans to sue the filmmakers due to this footage, which, quite frankly, makes him look like a complete jerk (actually, "jerk" isn't the right word, but I'm trying to keep this family friendly). You can also watch the first 26 minutes of the documentary on the official web site. While the clip shows Hannity being cheered by huge numbers of conservative students and being asked questions by the handful of liberals in attendance (who are often shouted down by the crowd), there's nothing especially "political" about it. Its intent seems to be an indictment of Hannity himself, but what it really reveals, to me anyway, is the sorry state of political discourse and what happens when emotions take over and people begin to block out differing opinions entirely. And, needless to say, that happens at both ends of the political spectrum.