Oscar-winner Harold Russell has died at the age of 88. Russell, who lost both his hands during an accident in the second world war, starred as disabled veteran Homer Parrish in William Wyler's The Best Years of Our Lives. The 1946 film, which showed a group of soldiers trying to readjust to civilian life, won seven Oscars, including two for Russell - Best Supporting Actor and an honorary award "For bringing hope and courage to his fellow veterans through his appearance in The Best Years of Our Lives." Russell continued to act occasionally, but got a business degree and became an outspoken advocate for disabled people's rights.

Boys Don't Cry writer and director Kimberly Peirce is set to direct a sci-fi film adapated from Arthur C Clarke's novel Childhood's End. The novel tells the story of mysterious alien benefactors, the Overlords, who bring peace and prosperity to earth but whose plans ultimately involve the end of the human race as it currently exists.

The Producers and its success on Broadway have led MGM to consider other screen-to-stage adaptations. The company has announced that it is going to turn more of its movies into musicals. Which is all well and good, but the titles in question include Moonstruck and, er, Rocky.