Abigail Breslin and former child actor, Jodie Foster, are thisclose to signing a deal to star in Nim’s Island, a fantasy. Breslin will also star in the first American Girl movie, based on the dolls. First of seemingly hundreds.

Sydney Pollack will direct Recount for HBO. The film will show the “human drama” behind the Florida recount from Election Day through the Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of George W. Bush five weeks later. Who’s going to play Katherine Harris–Lady Bunny?

NBC has created a new position for Vince Manze, who’s best known for coming up with catchy ad phrases: Must-See TV and Save the Cheerleader, Save the World as head of the NBC Agency. He’ll now be the president of program planning, scheduling and strategy for the net.

Susan Sarandon and John Goodman –Speed Racer’s parents? Sarandon just finished playing heiress Doris Duke, which makes her the Bette Davis of her generation.

Comedy Central is enrolling would-be comics in the online Crash Course in Comedy designed and instructed by comedian Ted Alexandro. How is this different from AOL Coaches?