ComingSoon.net has received an unconfirmed tip that Elizabeth Banks (Role Models, Betty Brant in the “Spider-Man” movies) is in talks to play the female lead opposite Bradley Cooper in director Neil Burger’s Dark Fields.

The film, based on the book by Alan Glynn, follows a down-and-out writer (Cooper) who gets his hands on a top-secret pharmaceutical drug that makes one smarter. He experiences sudden financial and social success but soon discovers that the drug has lethal and lasting side effects. Before long, mysterious antagonists are pursuing him.

The production has also brought on director of photography Jo Willems (30 Days of Night), VFX guru Christopher Scollard (Fight Club) and production designer Carlos Barbosa (“24″).

Leslie Dixon (The Thomas Crown Affair), who wrote the script, will produce with Scott Kroopf and Relativity’s Ryan Kavanaugh. Relativity’s Tucker Tooley will executive produce.

Universal will distribute via Relativity’s Rogue Pictures.

On Thursday, Elizabeth made a guest spot on the hit show “30 Rock” and I have added 176 HQ captures from her appearance into the photo gallery! You can view the captures by clicking on the thumbnails below…

Actress Elizabeth Banks, she of the remarkably comfortable-with-any-gag sense of humor (see “Zack and Miri Make a Porno,” “Modern Family,” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin”), will undoubtedly bring the yucks as host of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Science and Technical Awards. Ms. Banks will present 15 awards to 45 recipients at the event, which takes place at the Beverly Wilshire on Feb. 20.

Among the winners: Industrial Light and Magic’s Imocap on-set performance capture system, used in “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest,” and the ARRISCAN film scanner for use in the intermediate digital process.

From LA Times

Elizabeth attended the “6th Annual Roots Jam Session” earlier this week and I have just added 3 photos of her at the event! You can see the photos by clicking on the preview image to the left of this post…

Elizabeth was a presenter at the 2010 Producers Guild Awards last night in Los Angeles! I have just added 43 photos of Elizabeth at the event – which you can see by clicking on the thumbnails below…