Fueled in part by the $250 million fund through producing partner Imagenation and additional deep-pocket funding via MDA in Singapore, Hyde Park has ramped up a busy slate of films at various phases of production.

Hyde Park topper Ashok Amritraj points to a defining characteristic of the slate, particularly the three films closest to the finish line.

“These are all quite different kinds of movies,” Amritraj says. ” ‘Leonie’ concerns the life of the American-born mother of Isamu Noguchi, as it spans eras and the differences between the U.S. and Japan. ‘Machete’ is a Robert Rodriguez movie through and through, wild and wonderful, exactly the kind of exciting and irreverent genre movie that his fans dream about.

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Richard Gere and Topher Grace are teaming up for the spy thriller “The Double.”

Screenwriter Michael Brandt will make his directorial debut on the Hyde Park/Imagenation Abu Dhabi production.

Brandt and his writing partner, Derek Haas, whose credits include “Wanted” and “3:10 to Yuma,” penned “Double,” which begins with the murder of a senator in Washington by a Soviet assassin long thought to be dead. A retired CIA operative (Gere), who spent his career going toe-to-toe with his Soviet nemeses, is forced to partner with a young FBI agent (Grace) to hunt the killer down.

Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams have announced that they will star in the new indie movie, Blue Valentine. The plot is about “a couple whose relationship is jeopardized when they find themselves in different places in their lives. As their relationship hits the rocks, they recall better days.” Pretty vague plot line, but the lead actors are enough to keep interest. Mike Vogel, John Doman and Maryann Plunkett have also been announced to finish out the cast.

Incentive Filmed Entertainment finances blue Valentine. Silverwood Films’ Lynette Howell and Hunting Lane Films’ Jamie Patricof and Alex Orlovsky are the producers – they also worked with Gosling on “Half Nelson.” Incentive formed one year ago to produce and finance films under $15 million. Hyde Park Intl. is selling international territories at the Cannes Film Festival.

If my gut is right, Blue Valentine will be the big indie film of 2010. Perhaps they will have an onscreen chemistry like Ryan and Rachel McAdams had in the notebook.

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates -- Abu Dhabi's answer to Dubai Media City has another confirmed media partner.

Hollywood-based Hyde Park Entertainment will open a regional headquarters at twofour54, the recently unveiled content and production zone to be built in the UAE capital.

The company is the latest in a growing number of Hollywood and international companies lured to the UAE capital by generous funding deals, part of Abu Dhabi's determination to become a leading filmmaking hub in the region.

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Imagenation Abu Dhabi, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Media Company, is partnering with Hollywood-based Hyde Park Entertainment in a $250 million financing deal to develop, produce and distribute feature films. The agreement aims to create up to 20 films over seven years and will include additional financing for the production of local language and cross-cultural films.

Hyde Park Entertainment will also establish its regional headquarters at Two Four 54, the recently unveiled free media zone in Abu Dhabi.

Ashok Amritraj, Chairman and CEO of Hyde Park Entertainment and producer of star-driven features including Bringing Down the House, Raising Helen and Walking Tall said: “We intend to produce wonderful films that stretch from Hollywood to Asia, enabling us to foster a better understanding between the West, the Middle East and Asia. What better way to accomplish this than through global cinema and the exchange of talent and great stories.”