Connick, Marshall Set for Gershwin Musical: Casting notices reveal that Harry Connick Jr. will star in Joe DiPietro's update of Gershwin's 1926 musical Oh, Kay!, directed by his Pajama Game helmer Kathleen Marshall. Scheduled to premiere in Boston this fall for a pre-Broadway tryout, the updated musical will feature classic Gershwin songs, while also adding scenes in which the lead plays the piano, talks about how much he loves New Orleans, and dates a callow young woman who can't emotionally separate from her sexless gay roommate. [Playbill]

HBO Grabs Ladies: HBO picks up Anthony Minghella's two-hour pilot for The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, giving a thirteen-episode series order to the project. Jill Scott stars as Precious Ramotswe, the heavyset, lovable Botswana detective. We're just glad HBO has a show we're interested in again. [Variety]

Tim Hill Has No Time for Humans: After directing Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties and Alvin and the Chipmunks, Tim Hill will broaden his range and direct an "untitled animal-themed romantic comedy" for Fox. Here's hoping it's the tragic yet heartwarming story of Brandy the grumpy pit bull and the duck who changed his life forever. [HR]

Extra Tomatoes, Please: Kent Nichols and Douglas Sarine will write a remake of Attack of the Killer Tomatoes for producer M. Dal Walton III. "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes is the masterwork of a generation," proclaims Nichols, best known for dressing up in pajamas and pretending to be a ninja on the Internet. For those fans worried the new filmmakers might alter the spirit of the original, rest assured: The Hollywood Reporter notes, "No changes to the original plot have been revealed, but it still is expected to revolve around killer tomatoes." [HR]

Affleck Will Cut You With His Blade: Ben Affleck and Sean Bailey, the producing team behind Gone Baby Gone, options Marcus Sakey's crime novel The Blade Itself. Novel follows two best friends, once small-time city criminals, who as adults have chosen separate paths in life. One path better be "vampire ass-kicker," or this will be by far the worst Blade sequel. [HR]