A while back, it was revealed that director Adam McKay was set to take on the sadistic and hyper-violent/brutal Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson comic series, The Boys. Well, while the stream of news surrounding the project had seemed to stop, it’s only because they were apparently working on getting one hell of an actor to take on the lead.

MTV recently sat down with McKay, who revealed that the film has finally finalized a script, and that he is now in talks with actors, particularly Russell Crowe, to join the cast. Crowe would play the lead, Bill Butcher, the leader of a group of CIA agents, tapped to control the planet’s superheroes and baddies.

For more casting news, including a new take on the character of Miss Marple and full details on Sheldon Turner's BY VIRTUE FALL, hit the break.

In other casting news, Deadline has revealed that Jennifer Garner will play Miss Marple, the iconic detective created by Agatha Christie, in a new film for Disney. Marple was the basis of twelve Christie novels, beginning in 1930. Interestingly, the studio also tapped Twin Peaks co-creator Mark Frost to pens the film’s screenplay, so while there has been a bit of a backlash online to this news, there is quite a bit to be excited about here.

Finally, 24 Frames is reporting that James Spader, Ryan Phillippe, and Carla Gugino have all joined Sheldon Turner’s (co-writer of UP IN THE AIR) directorial debut, BY VIRTUE FALL. The film may also feature Eric Bana, although his involvement has not been confirmed. The film will follow a man who, after serving prison time, looks to take revenge on the man who took his life from him.

Personally, all of these choices do seem relatively interesting, but it is Crowe’s involvement in THE BOYS that could prove to be the most intriguing. He’s a great actor, and his off the wall energy could really fit well within this world.