Jamie Foxx lined up for Spider-Man sequel

Plus Status Quo to reunite, Nicolas Sparks expends into TV dramas, John Cusack develops a Rush Limbaugh film and animated features vie for Academy Awards

Jaime Foxx will play the villain Electro in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Michael Kovac / Getty Images

Jamie Foxx is reportedly being lined up to play a villain in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. According to Variety magazine, Foxx will play Electro, an enemy of Spider-Man who gains the ability to control electricity after being stuck by lightning. Foxx has been using his Twitter feed to drop hints about the role. "Dressed up as Electro for Halloween last night. Costume fits well," he tweeted. Foxx will soon hit the big screens in Django Unchained, Quentin Tarantino's homage to spaghetti westerns.

Status Quo to reunite

The original line-up of the veteran British rockers Status Quo is to reunite for the first time in nearly three decades for a string of shows. The band's current frontmen and guitarists Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt (pictured) will be joined by the bassist Alan Lancaster and the drummer John Coghlan, who both left Status Quo in the 1980s. Known for their stripped-down, three-chord blues-rock tunes such as Rockin' All Over the World and Caroline, they have sold around 119 million records and notched up 64 British hit singles, more than any other band. - AFP

Sparks expands into TV dramas

Nicholas Sparks, the best-selling author of the tear-jerking novels-turned-movies The Notebook and Dear John, is moving into TV writing. The Hollywood Reporter reports that the 46-year-old has put shows into development at three US cable networks through his company Nicholas Sparks Productions. At TNT, Sparks is developing a series based on his novel A Bend in the Road. At ABC Family, Sparks is working on The Falls, a modern re-imagining of Romeo and Juliet. And for Lifetime, Sparks has set up Deliverance Creek, a post-US Civil War drama.

Cusack developing Rush Limbaugh film

The actor and outspoken liberal John Cusack is developing a movie about the conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh. The working title is Rush, confirmed Cusack's New Crime Productions. The film's director, Betty Thomas, said they're putting finishing touches on a script that will star the actor. Limbaugh is in the front ranks of colourful and provocative media figures. Last week, the host mocked the Republican New Jersey governor Chris Christie after the latter praised Barack Obama's response to the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. - AP

Animated features vie for Academy Awards

Brave, Wreck-It Ralph and Rise of the Guardians are among the 21 animated features submitted for consideration in the Academy Awards' Animated Feature Film category. Dr Seuss' The Lorax, Frankenweenie and ParaNorman are among the high-profile movies vying for one of five nominations. Other contenders include France's The Rabbi's Cat and Japan's From Up on Poppy Hill. India has submitted two films: Delhi Safari and Krishna Aur Kans. - AP