Veronica Mars Film Adaptation Breaks Kickstarter Records
Fans of the cult television show Veronica Mars signed onto Kickstarter in droves Wednesday to pledge money to a newly-announced film adaptation. The show’s creator Rob Thomas and star Kristin Bell posted a video and explanation of the project, saying they would make the film only if they could raise $2 million dollars by April 12. Four hours and 24 minutes later, they were already halfway there, according to Kickstarter. This beat the previous record of fastest project to raise a million dollars, held by role playing game Torment. As of 6:45pm ET, the project had over 24,000 backers and had raised over $1.6 million. With 30 days still to go, the project is on track to break even more Kickstarter records.

Steven Soderbergh to Deliver State of Cinema Address at San Francisco International Film Festival
Soderbergh will deliver the 10th annual State of Cinema Address during the 56th annual SFIFF taking place April 25 – May 9. In the address, taking place April 27, Soderbergh will discuss the “intersecting worlds of contemporary cinema, culture and society. Citing the ‘tyranny of narrative’ in feature filmmaking, Soderbergh recently surprised the worldwide film community by asserting that he is leaving film production in order to devote himself full time to other art forms.”

David O. Russell’s Next Feature Set for December
The Silver Linings Playbook director’s next untitled Abscam film will open in a limited run December 13, before heading out nationwide. Starring Christian Bale, Jeremy Renner, Amy Adams and Louis C.K., the drama recounts the famous FBI sting operation that resulted in a Capitol Hill scandal involving lawmakers exchanging money for political favors in the 1970s, THR reports.

Amy Ryan Joins Alejandro Gonzalez-Inarritu Comedy
Ryan is boarding the cast of Birdman, Gonzalez-Inarritu’s comedy that is set to begin shooting in New York soon. The film also stars Michael Keaton, Eddward Norton, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts, Zach Galifianakis and Andrea Riseborough. In the film, Keaton will play a washed-up actor who had played well-known superheros now planning a Broadway play. But plans for a come back are threatened by his egoistical co-star, played by Norton. Amy Ryan will play Keaton’s character’s tormented ex-wife, Deadline reports.

Iran to Sue Hollywood Over Films Including Oscar-Winner Argo
Iran’s government has hired a controversial French lawyer to file a lawsuit against Hollywood over a series of films, including 2013 Oscar-winning Best Picture, Argo, for allegedly portrayed the Islamic republic in a distorted manner. Isabelle Coutant-Peyre, described by the Iranian media as an “anti-Zionist” lawyer, has travelled to Tehran to meet the authorities in order to lodge a case in an international court against Hollywood directors and producers that officials say have promoted “Iranophobia.” The Guardian reports.

Egypt Bans Film About Jewish Community
The country banned a documentary about Egypt’s once thriving Jewish community. The film, The Jews of Egypt, spotlights the Arab country’s estimated 65,000 Jews who lived in the country prior to their departure in the late 1950s due to Egypt’s conflict with Israel. The film’s producer said no explanation had been given for the ban, though it had played at a private film festival in Egypt last year, The Guardian reports.