There was some non-Star Wars geek movie news over the past few days, and we round it up here.

Universal has assigned David Koepp (Jurassic Park, Spider-Man, Mission Impossible) to write the script for a Bride of Frankenstein feature, according to Variety.  The studio is hoping to attract Angelina Jolie Pitt to direct and star, but she’s waiting to see a script she likes before committing, according to the report.

While not one of the first films mentioned, Bride of Frankenstein is an outcome of the writers room assembled by Alex Kurtzman and Chris Morgan to develop a franchise based on tying the Universal monsters together in a shared action-adventure universe (see "Spandex Monsters?").  Universal did have a Bride of Frankenstein project in development back in 2009 (see "'Bride of Frankenstein' Revived"), but this is apparently a new iteration.

Katherine Waterston will play the lead in the new Ridley-Scott directed Prometheus sequel Alien: Covenant, according to Deadline.  The film, due for release October 6, 2017, will be one of three features planned for the post-Prometheus storyline (see "Geek Movie News Round-Up").

Studio Ghibli will distribute The Red Turtle, which it co-produced with French company Wild Bunch, releasing it in Japan next September, according to Anime News Network.  The film is directed by Dutch director Michael Dudok de Wit, with Isao Takahata of Ghibli listed as artistic producer.

Kurt Russell is in "early talks" to play Starlord’s father in Guardians of the Galaxy 2, according to Variety.  The film has been casting recently, with Pom Kelmentiff (Oldboy) added in October (see "New Face for 'Guardians 2'").  The film is due for release May 5, 2017 (see "Best in Shows--Q2 2017").

Sony has commissioned multiple scripts for a feature film based on Mattel’s Barbie, according to Deadline.  Two drafts have been written, and three additional writers are now being signed:  Lindsey Beer, Bert Royal, and Hilary Winston.  Undoubtedly jealous over Hasbro’s success at the box office, Mattel would like to get a film out by June 2017, according to the report.

Musician Herbie Hancock has been signed for a role in Luc Besson’s Valerian, according to The Hollywood Reporter.  The film, based on the bande dessinee series, will open November 3, 2017.  John Goodman recently joined the cast to play the voice of an alien character (see "Geek Movie News Round-Up").