Los Angeles, Aug 26: Dave Matthews, who fronts the rock group that bears his name, is set to make his studio acting debut in "Because of Winn-Dixie," a coming-of-age saga due to start shooting in late September. The Fox project revolves around a 10-year-old girl who moves to the small Florida town of Naomi with her preacher father (Jeff Daniels). Lonely, the girl grows close to a big, ugly dog, Winn-Dixie, whom she names after the supermarket where she finds him. Through the dog, she befriends a colorful cast of characters that becomes her extended family, including a drifter (Matthews) and a librarian (Eva Marie Saint).
Wayne Wang ("Maid in Manhattan") will direct from Joan Singleton's adaptation of Kate Dicamillo's eponymous novel.
Matthews is also prepping for the Sept. 23 release of his first solo album, "Some Devil." The title track has just been picked to run over the closing credits for "21 Grams," starring Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro and Naomi Watts. His other acting credits include the indie "Where the Red Fern Grows."
Daniels is in New York before cameras on the indie drama "Imaginary Heroes" for first-time helmer Dan Harris. Saint most recently starred on the big screen in "I Dreamed of Africa."

Bureau Report