However, despite the difficulties, Cronenberg’s new project has been green-lit and is set to star Robert Pattinson in the lead role, along with Julianne Moore, John Cusack and Sarah Gadon. Filming will begin in Toronto and Los Angeles in July of this year.

Pattinson has been attached to the project almost since its inception and, as was the case with Cronenberg’s 2012 thriller Cosmopolis, it’s largely thanks to the involvement of the highly bankable star that Maps to the Stars has received funding and is heading into production.

Noticeably absent from this cast list is Viggo Mortensen, who was attached to Maps to the Stars for almost as long as Pattinson was. It’s likely that the project’s spell in development limbo meant that Mortensen ended up with scheduling conflicts that prevented him from staying committed, as the actor has since signed on to produce and star in Argentinian director Lisandro Alonso’s new drama.

[Maddox's] subsequent book, “Mission: Blacklist #1,” is the basis for the new movie. He spoke recently before an audience of students at Oklahoma University, from which he graduated.

“Somebody wants to make a movie about my story – it’s very exciting,” Maddox told the crowd of about 300 in Oklahoma Memorial Union’s Molly Shi Boren Ballroom, according to a campus report.

Maddox said he has already met and gotten to know Pattinson, and is more than satisfied that the “Twilight” hunk will be playing him in the movie.

“He’s a great guy. When they brought his name up to me, I had never heard of him before,” he said. “I don’t believe in vampire movies and stories. I just didn’t know who he was.”

Maddox said he wore the same blue shirt for months while he searched for the Iraqi dictator near his hometown of Takrit. The shirt has a bigmouth bass embossed on it, Velcro pockets… and bloodstains.

“I’ve still got it [the shirt.] I think Rob is gonna wear it in the movie,” Maddox said.

VOLTERRA, Italy – Feb. 29, 2013 – After the roaring success of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Saga, fans of the beloved series have been left thirsting for more of her fantastic world and mythology. "Twilight in Volterra" slakes that thirst: set in the real town of Volterra, a sparkling gem nestled in the hills of Italy, this documentary explores the locations Meyer so carefully described.  "Twilight in Volterra" is scheduled for worldwide release on March 2nd, 2013.

Three-time Emmy Award-winning director Jason Brown takes you in stunning HD through this beautiful Italian town.  Fans can visit the alley where Edward nearly exposed himself to save Bella, and follow Alice and Bella's frantic dash through the Italian countryside in real time.  The beautiful and formidable Piazza dei Priori clock tower and Palazzo Viti, which marks the seat of power for the formidable vampire Volturi, give up their historical secrets under the spell of a local tour guide.

Viewers will gain new admiration for the accuracy with which Meyer reproduced this town, even though she had never set foot in Volterra before penning New Moon.  From the hints at magic and mystery on every corner to the fascinating traditions of the residents, Volterra is revealed as the perfect setting for vampire lore.  It's the glamorous world of Twilight like you've never seen it before – even in the movies!

"I put on a little weight," he joked to MTV News after the show. "I turned 21, recently, a couple months ago. The drinking just ... it was overboard. Metabolism stopped. It just went straight to the abdomen."

But Taylor planned the stunt because, you know, it's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday, and he just didn't want to take the award too seriously. "One, I was so shocked to find out that the award was being televised. I was like, 'Wait, Best Shirtless Performance is gonna be on TV?' So I was like, I had to do something funny," he said.