Bruce Willis set to ride
According to Variety, Paramount Pictures has optioned TENKILLER for Bruce Willis.

Based on a novella penned by Elmore Leonard, the story is about an ex-rodeo star turned stuntman who returns from Hollywood to find trouble brewing on his ranch.

The film is in development by Cheyenne Enterprises. Arnold Rifkin will produce the film with Michael Siegel. Doug Richardson has been hired on to write the script.

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New Line pitching true story of rodeo superstar and horse
Charmayne James, an eleven-time WPRA World Champion barrel racer, won her first title at the age of 14 in 1984. (Her arena winnings that year totalled $53,499).

Here, the script focuses on the relationship between James and her horse, Scampera horse she rode to victory for 10 years in a row. But the bigger story here is that Scamper initially came to James with a history of being "unridable."

The project is still in the development phase, with New Line productions overseeing. And although Jeanne Rosenberg (BLACK STALLION) has penned the script, there are no producers attached to the project yet and the production execs are still seeking a director.

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Gay cowboy project in 'Focus'
Director Ang Lee jumps from exploring the dark side of human emotion (THE HULK) to examining the moral code of the American West in the forthcoming Focus Features epic, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN.

The story "follows the intense love affair between two cowboys" set in 1961 Wyoming.

The script is penned by Larry McMurtry (Lonesome Dove) and Diana Ossana, adapted from the novella by Annie Proulx.

Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger are in negotiations to play the cowboy lovers. Variety reports "Gyllenhaal will play ranch hand Jack, with Ledger as Ennis, who drifts away from his friend to travel the rodeo circuit, but their lives continue to intertwine for many years."

Focus hopes to begin shooting the flick this summer.