Rain in the movie uses this blade and chain weapon, but when we're training him, it's with an actual martial arts weapon called the rope dart, so he trained with that so he knew how to swing it around, because then ultimately when you get into it, you need something for him to physically use. He'll use that, and the visual FX guys will put tracking markers on it, so that way, it gives the stunt guys something to react to and then we'll replace it later. But with swords and katanas and other things, sometimes we'll use bamboo painted silver for example, they're actually real sometimes.

Many critics have commented on how violent and bloody the movie is, but McTeigue said that he didn't have any problem with the MPAA ratings board.

When we submitted the movie, we said, "Look, it's really stylized." In no way is this Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer or one of those movies that's so extreme it's meant to make you feel sick. This is like a game, it is like anime, it is like a comic book. I think they saw it as that, so henceforth, they gave me an R-rating and if you look at the ratings card, it goes "For stylized violence and blood." I think they got it.

Ninja Assassin - Trailer

Follows, from boy to man, a deadly assassin

Link | Posted 11/21/2009 by BrentJS

James McTeigue | Ji-Hoon (Rain) Jung | Ninja Assassin | Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer

With thousands of extras in its battle scenes, Red Cliff is the most-expensive production in the history of Asian movies. The movie opens as power-hungry General Cao Cao (Zhang Fengyi) seeks permission from the Han dynasty Emperor to organize a southward-bound mission designed to crush the two troublesome warlords who stand in his way, Liu Bei (Yong You) and Sun Quan (Chen Chang). Red Cliff shows the events during the end of the Han Dynasty and right before the Three Kingdoms period in ancient China.

Tune in for the Secret's Out premiere on Friday, November 27, at 6:30 PM ET/ 3:30 PM PT. Or catch one of its encore showings.

Red Cliff - Trailer

The battle that effectively ended the Han dynasty's rule of China

Link | Posted 11/21/2009 by reelz

Leonard Maltin's Secret's Out | John Woo | Red Cliff

However, in a recent interview with Bloody Disgusting, he said that there were other issues that factored in the decision.

Schedule. The enemy of all casting. [Melissa George has] got a million gazillion things going on right now, so we couldn't fit it.

As far as plans for another film after Dark Days, possibly based on the Return to Barrow graphic novel, Niles said the main concern right now is getting Dark Days "in the can."

If that goes well, we're set up to move forward. We got a great young cast that we can bring along if this works out well, and we';ll be ready to keep going with the story. Plus, the comics are done. God, what do we have, like seven different graphic novels now if it actually took off?

30 Days of Night: Dark Days is expected to debut in 2010.

Link | Posted 11/20/2009 by BrentJS

Melissa George | Steve Niles | Kiele Sanchez | 30 Days of Night | 30 Days of Night: Dark Days

Urban followed up his little-seen Pathfinders starring role with the supporting role of Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy in J.J. Abrams' revamped Star Trek, a role that promised to put him back in the spotlight. However, Abrams' film focused primarily on the relationship between James T. Kirk (played by Chris Pine) and Spock (Zack Snyder), rather than on the the Kirk-Spock-Bones trinity that served as the basis for the original series. In a recent interview with IGN, Urban said that he hopes that his role gets beefed up for Star Trek 2, if only to pay homage to the original.

The structure [of the new film] wasn't really the traditional triumvirate that you've seen on the television show. It was really more a movie about establishing everybody. I certainly hope that [screenwriters] Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman and J.J. continue to strengthen and evolve those characters into those directions.

I would love to play scenes being essentially Kirk's moral compass or point of conscience. The way McCoy was written, he really sort of verbalized the war going on in Kirk's conscience, and I certainly would love to see more arguments of passion versus logic with Spock because they're always fun.

Urban also offered his opinion on the direction the second Star Trek film should take.

I think the challenge is to come up with the most important mission, the mission that literally tears these people apart. The mission that is the definitive Trek mission. We have to come up with something akin to a Dark Knight or The Empire Strikes Back. Something like that.

Urban recently shot And Soon the Darkness, which is in post-production, and is currently filming Priest.

Star Trek - Trailer 2

J.J. Abrams Directs - Releasing May 8, 2009

Link | Posted 11/20/2009 by BrentJS

Chris Pine | Roberto Orci | J.J. Abrams | Alex Kurtzman | Karl Urban | Zachary Quinto | Star Trek | Star Trek 2 | The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers | The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King | Pathfinder

I think we need to make it a little more accessible to the movie-going public. Silent Hill is not a blockbuster game like Resident Evil or the other games out there. It's a connoisseurs' game. It has its own, rabid fan base. They're not cheap, these things. You have to appeal not only to the gamers, you have to appeal to a wider audience. So we have to get some story in there that helps explain a bit more. I think that's all happening. Of course, [the story] is going to happen years later and the main character — without giving too much away — is much older and representative to the movie-going public which is in that age group.

While Silent Hill actress Radha Mitchell's return is uncertain, Carmody says that director Christophe Gans likely won't be back.

I don't think he wants to come back. He'll have some input for sure. In his mind, I think he wanted to do the first one and for this he's very happy to consult, but I think he wants to direct something new.

The only problem that remains is getting the script from screenwriter Roger Avary, who was recently sentenced to a year in prison.

Well, we have had a bit of a hiccup with Roger. We're just debating whether we can wait for him. He's writing the script for sure.

Silent Hill - Trailer

Link | Posted 11/20/2009 by Ryan

Christophe Gans | Don Carmody | Roger Avary | Silent Hill

While the cast is coming together, the cameo role for Stan Lee isn't. Lee Told MTV that he has met with Branagh, but a cameo role has not been chosen yet.

I had lunch with Branagh, [who's] the nicest guy in the world as well as the most talented. Months ago, when he was first starting on the movie, he said he would get a cameo for me. When we had lunch, I was sure he had asked me to lunch because he wanted me to play Odin, [Thor's father, a role Anthony Hopkins will be playing] but it was a big disappointment. I figure I'll end up carrying his spear.

Once Lee does get his cameo lined up, he'll get to visit the set like Marvel comics writer Brian Michael Bendis did. He used his Twitter account to tell fans about his on set experience.

Broadcasting live from marvel west. Thor movie meeting with Ken branagh was over the top amazing. Visited the sets! I was in Odin's chamber!

Link | Posted 11/20/2009 by Ryan

Stan Lee | Idris Elba | Kenneth Branagh | Thor

Unsurprisingly, the sixth installment in the Potter series had some book-to-movie plot changes, a necessity when adapting such rich books. That said, there were a few changes that surprised us and left us wondering how they would affect the final two movies.

We surveyed top Harry Potter fansites to see what movie changes they believed was most significant for the Deathly Hallows, as well as how they thought/hoped David Yates would deal with those changes. Find out what they told us.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - Trailer

Daniel Radcliffe Stars - DVD goes on sale Dec. 8

Link | Posted 11/20/2009 by reelz

Daniel Radcliffe | Emma Watson | Rupert Grint | David Yates | Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

THR reports that former Shield writer John Hlavin will write the screenplay for Underworld 4. The fourth installment in the franchise is supposedly going to be shot in 3-D and will set up another trilogy of Underworld movies. Hlavin wouldn't say too much about the plot, but he did note that "it's not a prequel."

It will satisfy old fans and excite new audiences, meaning that we don't want to redo the first three movies, so steps are being taken to honor what fans have loved but at the same time introduce fresh elements.

Len Wiseman, director of the first two Underworlds will produce, while neither Kate Beckinsale, who starred in Underworld and Underworld: Evolution, nor Rhona Mitra, who starred in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, are signed on to return. However, Beckinsale has said that she could be interested in returning if she liked the script.

Link | Posted 11/20/2009 by Ryan

Kate Beckinsale | Len Wiseman | Rhona Mitra | John Hlavin | Underworld: Rise of the Lycans | Underworld: Evolution | Underworld

Link | Posted 11/20/2009 by Ryan

Anthony Hopkins | Benicio Del Toro | Emily Blunt | Scott Stuber | The Wolfman

The latest offerering highlights the technology and science of the humans who are setting up a mining camp on the alien moon Pandora. It's an insanely hostile environment, so weaponry and vehicles have to be pretty impressive to keep humans alive. As director James Cameron put it earlier, they are facing off with the teeth and claws of the Garden of Eden.

Here he shows us that the humans aren't exactly without teeth and claws either, with their airships and guns — and especially their amp suits. These are the 16-foot-tall human-operated robots capable of hand-to-hand combat with Pandora's powerful fauna. Even with all of this technology, though, not all of the humans are going to survive, as the base's matter-of-fact chief of security (Stephen Lang) informs new recruits.

Link | Posted 11/20/2009 by Bill

James Cameron | Stephen Lang | Avatar

RT @Ann_Howard: @Jon_Favreau PLEASE tell us the trailer is coming soon - w/Sherlock Holmes, perhaps??

OK, that's not definite, but Favreau's decision to repeat it makes us think this is a pretty strong rumor.

Favreau is currently editing Iron Man 2, and while doing this he's also doing a good job keeping fans updated about the movie on his Twitter page. He's sent updates such as "Digital animated shots starting to come in" and "[screenwriter] Justin Theroux visiting the edit bay."

Link | Posted 11/20/2009 by Ryan

Jon Favreau | Iron Man 2

Zack Snyder is a busy director these days, working on both the fantasy-action movie Sucker Punch and the 3-D animated Guardians of Ga'Hoole, based on the children's novel series written by Kathryn Lasky, simultaneously.

Variety reports that Guardians is lining up an impressive cast of voices, including Sam Neill, Geoffrey Rush, Hugo Weaving, and David Wenham. They're leading an equally strong group of supporting voice actors, such as Helen Mirren, Jim Sturgess, Abbie Cornish, Emilie de Ravin, Ryan Kwanten, Emily Barclay, Miriam Margolyes and Jay Laga'aia.

Guardians tells the story of how an owl named Soren (Sturgess), who is entranced with his father's stories about the Guardians of Ga'Hoole, protected owlkind. Once Soren is kidnapped, he gathers together a group to escape and join the Guardians.

Link | Posted 11/20/2009 by Ryan

David Wenham | Emilie de Ravin | Emily Barclay | Geoffrey Rush | Helen Mirren | Hugo Weaving | Ryan Kwanten | Miriam Margolyes | Jim Sturgess | Jay Laga'aia | Zack Snyder | Abbie Cornish | Guardians of Ga'Hoole

The fate of director Robert Rodriguez's live-action adaptation of the Red Sonja comic book was in doubt after the lead actress, Rose McGowan, was badly injured while performing a stunt for the movie. After McGowan initially said that she "pulled out" of the production, she quickly clarified her statement, saying that the movie was "delayed," but "not permanently."

At the recent MOCA 30th Anniversary Gala, Fox News' Pop Tarts spoke with McGowan about her condition and the status of Red Sonja:

I need one more arm surgery from nerve damage so I'm supposed to have that the beginning of December so if you see me anywhere I'll be hobbling around with a cast. It'll be very pretty. We're hoping to start filming again in maybe a year.

Link | Posted 11/20/2009 by BrentJS

Rose McGowan | Robert Rodriguez | Red Sonja

— Adam Markovitz, Entertainment Weekly

"Although not bowling me over, Planet 51 is a jolly and good-looking animated feature in glorious 2-D."

— Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

"Lacking the crackling energy of Meatballs, Planet 51 never soars to the boundless heights, and skies, its animation so fantastically illustrates."

— Adam Keleman, Slant Magazine

"...a jellybean of a movie: bright, colorful, sugary, and with no real content."

— Tasha Robinson, Onion AV Club

"...a lame-brained toon that even kids will recognize as an insipid goof on sci-fi conventions."

— Todd McCarthy, Variety

Planet 51 - Trailer

An astronaut becomes an alien on another planet

Link | Posted 11/19/2009 by reelz

Planet 51

Starring Willem Dafoe and Ethan Hawke, Daybreakers is a darker kind of vampire movie than New Moon. Set in 2019, vampires have taken over and hunt humans for food. The only problem is, humans are becoming scarce. Amidst the vampire's need to farm humans for their blood, a covert group of vampires makes a discovery that may save the human race.

Written and directed by Peter and Michael Spierig (Undead), Daybreakers won't be released until January 8, 2010. That leaves a few months to enjoy the new photos, poster, and TV spot, which acts as a public service announcement for vampires to turn in human survivors. Check it out below.

Link | Posted 11/19/2009 by Ryan

Willem Dafoe | Ethan Hawke | Michael Spierig | Peter Spierig | Daybreakers

"...an uplifting and entertaining feel-good, fact-based sports drama."

— Joe Leydon, Variety

"The result isn't solid at all — it's more like cotton-candy uplift."

— Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

"Sticking safely to proven inspirational sports-movie/fish-out-of-water formulas while holding the inherent sociological issues to the sidelines, the dramedy doesn't skimp on the crowd-pleasing stuff, but given the setup, there also was room for more thought-provoking substance."

— Michael Rechtshaffen, Hollywood Reporter

"The movie's manipulation is loathsome, but the whole thing is so skillful — the schematic structure, its calculatedly competent performances and appealing visuals, the commitment to overcoming adversity — that you may just weep."

— Aaron Cutler, Slant Magazine

"Sports movies have a long, troubled history of well-meaning white paternalism, with poor black athletes finding success through white charity. But The Blind Side, based on Michael Lewis' non-fiction book, finds a new low."

— Scott Tobias, Onion AV Club

The Blind Side - Trailer

Sandra Bullock stars - Releasing Nov. 20, 2009

Link | Posted 11/19/2009 by reelz

The Blind Side

The novels tell the story of Jill, a suburban teenager who for four days each month turns into Jack, complete with male anatomy and 17-year-old-boy fantasies. Jill has maintained her life of ordinary teenage worries, such as going to the prom and dealing with crush, but that changes when Jack, tired of being locked in his room, begins to escape, causing damage to her social life.

On McLaughlin's website, she explains that Cycler began as a screenplay, ironically enough, and that she later felt compelled to turn it into a book.

...I honestly believe Cycler is the story I was born to tell. As for where the original idea came from, I can only answer that it came from the same place all of my stories come from, the question: what if? What if you were neither a boy nor a girl? What if you were both a boy and a girl? For me, all good fiction is a question rather than an answer and those were the questions I needed to ask. Incidentally, I still don't have the answers.

Cycler was released in August 2008 to critical acclaim. The follow-up, (Re)cycler, was released three months ago and was selected as a nominee for the American Library Association's Rainbow List, which recommends children's books with gay, lesbian, and transgender themes.

Link | Posted 11/19/2009 by Rich Z

Lauren McLaughlin

A sneak peek of the movie was shown at this year's Wizard World Chicago comic convention, followed by a plea from Millar to "go on the Internet immediately after this happens and just give your honest opinion." Shortly after, a bidding war for the U.S. distribution rights broke out between three studios, with Lionsgate ultimately capturing the prize.

Now, Kick-Ass will go international. In a deal struck between Lionsgate International's sales unit, Mandate International, and Focus Features International, Universal Pictures International will distribute Kick-Ass in the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Latin America.

Kick-Ass stars Aaron Johnson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Chloë Moretz, and Nicolas Cage.

Link | Posted 11/19/2009 by BrentJS

Matthew Vaughn | Mark Millar | Kick-Ass

But what will Twilight fans think of the movie? Will it be worth the wait? For a good indication, we looked to an early review posted on the fansite Novel Novice Twilight. Here's a recap of what their reviewer had to say:

Okay, I'm just going to say it. The Twilight Saga: New Moon is not a perfect movie. Critics — the really nasty ones — are going to nitpick and tear it to shreds. Which is really a shame, because while it is not a perfect movie — it's a wonderfully enjoyable movie. (For this fan, at least.) I’ll be honest, New Moon is my least favorite of the books — but I felt a new sense of appreciation for it while watching it unfold on the big screen.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon is also a huge step-up from Twilight, in many ways. The overall scope and feel of the entire movie is both bigger and better.... And oddly enough — it actually felt to me like there was more romance between Bella and Edward in New Moon than there was in the first movie.... Can I also just say thank you to the folks who injected New Moon with all the action scenes?

For more fan reviews, come back tomorrow for our First Fans segment. And let us know what you think of the New Moon by posting a comment on the movie page.

Link | Posted 11/19/2009 by reelz

Taylor Lautner | Robert Pattinson | Kristen Stewart | The Twilight Saga: New Moon | Twilight

With so much time devoted to the practice, Lynch has not made a feature since Inland Empire (2006). But in a recent interview with Vulture, the 63-year-old director said that his next project will be a documentary about the founder of transcendental meditation, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The Maharishi spent more than 50 years teaching and advocating the meditation technique to people worldwide, even attracting the attention of The Beatles in the late '60s. He lived into his 90s and died of natural causes in February 2008.

While it sounds like a fascinating project, it certainly doesn't sound like the "typical" Lynch fare, and the man himself stated as such in the interview.

It won't be a so-called David Lynch film, really; it will be about Maharishi and the knowledge he brought out. It'll hold a lot of abstractions. We're on our way to India in December to start the India part of it ... I don't think it'll be a talking heads kind of thing, but we're going to do a lot of interviews with people. We'll interview — I hope — in India, a 97-year-old man who was with Maharishi from the beginning and get stories of times that weren't so well recorded.

If you're unfamiliar with the work of the Maharishi, check out his address from Lake Louise, Canada in 1968, or the interview (below) he gave on Larry King Live in 2003.

Link | Posted 11/19/2009 by Rich Z

David Lynch

On the possibility of a fourth movie she said, "At this point in time, we're in talks. I would love to see BD made if it could be made well. It's a little bit trickier than the others." A "little bit trickier" is an understatement, Mrs. Meyer — surely "almost impossible" would be a better term to use?

With accelerated growth children who kill their mothers, no action, and a plot slower than The Order of the Phoenix, Breaking Dawn could very easily be the end of Meyer's reign of success. We'll have to wait and see if Summit officially announces the movie after New Moon's guaranteed success — after all, Twilight fans are going to need something to keep them going until the Eclipse release in June.

And who knows, maybe a re-worked movie could help the cause. For our thoughts, see Breaking Dawn: Will the Movie Beat the Book?

Link | Posted 11/19/2009 by Jenny

Stephenie Meyer | The Twilight Saga: New Moon | The Twilight Saga: Eclipse | The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn

UGO reports that Stiles has met with a casting company in New York to discuss a role in Spider-Man 4. Meanwhile, Deadline Hollywood reports that Hathaway has been approached for a role in the movie. While neither reports indicate that a particular role was offered, speculation persists that both actresses are up for the role of the Black Cat.

The character of The Black Cat is still only unofficially confirmed, but the search is certainly on for a female role in Spider-Man 4 — a move that only strengthens the argument that the role is Spidey's most infamous female villain. That is, until both actresses deny the rumors just like McAdams did.

Link | Posted 11/19/2009 by Ryan

Anne Hathaway | Julia Stiles | Spider-Man 4

Variety reports that Universal is close to bringing newcomer Carl Eric Rinsch on board to direct. Before Hollywood came knocking, Rinsch directed commercials, and was once set to direct the prequel to Alien — until Ridley Scott decided to return. Clearly Universal thinks highly of Rinsch to give him such an effects-heavy, high-budget movie for his debut.

Chris Morgan (Wanted) wrote the 47 Ronin script, and especially tailored it so that Reeves, who is half-Asian, could play one of the samurai swordsman. Does that mean that after Reeves wins a fight, he does a celebratory air-guitar jam?

Link | Posted 11/19/2009 by Ryan

Keanu Reeves | 47 Ronin

"While this second chapter of Summit Entertainment's four-part franchise is as good as Twilight and arguably a shade better, it's indisputably darker in its depiction of the throes and woes of adolescent love, especially when one gets dumped."

— Jordan Mintzer, Variety

"[Director] Weitz brings a few more flickers of humour to the narrative, but the essential, appealing earnestness of the book remains, whole-heartedly embraced. New Moon is a story about longing, and loss, and the dangers of desire."

— Philippa Hawker, The Age (Australia)

"This is a soap opera, folks — and acceptable escapism for those old enough to see it yet still young enough to shriek at undead dreamboats."

— Anna Smith, Time Out New York

"The movie is best enjoyed for its dowdy sops to teen culture — vampires with email addresses, lycanthropes with six-packs — but for anyone on the outside looking in, the insulation of the characters from real danger makes it a bit of a drag."

— Tim Robey, Daily Telegraph (UK)

"This is still one of the silliest movie franchises out there and one which is totally critic proof. People will still go see it even if there are verifiable reports that watching it makes your eyes bleed."

— James O'Ehley, Sci-Fi Movie Page

"...takes the tepid achievement of Twilight, guts it, and leaves it for undead."

— Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The Twilight Saga: New Moon - Trailer

Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner Star - Releasing Nov. 20, 2009

Link | Posted 11/18/2009 by reelz

Twilight | The Twilight Saga: New Moon

Justin Theroux is something of a Renaissance man in Hollywood. As an actor, Theroux has appeared on numerous TV shows and in over a dozen movies, including acclaimed filmmaker David Lynch's Mulholland Dr. In addition, Theroux also works behind the scenes and behind the camera. He produced and wrote the script for Tropic Thunder and he wrote and directed Dedication.

Theroux recently tried his hand at the superhero genre, penning the script for the sequel to director Jon Favreau's adaptation of the classic Marvel Comics character Iron Man. Now, THR is reporting that Theroux has been hired by Fox to write a draft of Space Invader, a romantic comedy set in space that was originally written by Mike Lisbe and Nate Reger. Will Arnett (Arrested Development) will star in Space Invader as a man who follows his wife into space because he suspects her of cheating on him with one of her fellow astronauts. Theroux may also direct the movie, though this is still uncomfirmed.

Dedication - Trailer

With each moment we write our story - Now on DVD

Tropic Thunder - Clip 4

You People

Link | Posted 11/18/2009 by BrentJS

Justin Theroux | Will Arnett | Mulholland Dr. | Tropic Thunder | Dedication | Iron Man 2

Tonight, Pattinson will be on Late Show with David Letterman, and as you can imagine, hoards of fans and photographers flooded the streets outside the studio to see him arrive. You can see a gallery of shots at Gossip Center. After Letterman, fans can switch the channel to catch Stewart on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

And for anyone who missed Lautner's appearance on The Jay Leno Show earlier in the week, you can see it below. The clips include footage of his appearance on the Mickey Mouse Show years ago, tales of one passionate Twilight Mom at a recent signing, and a new, exclusive New Moon scene.

Link | Posted 11/18/2009 by reelz

Taylor Lautner | Robert Pattinson | Kristen Stewart | The Twilight Saga: New Moon

As the site points out, this may work in Nolan's favor, since it would quiet down the speculation about Nolan's participation in Batman 3 before he begins to do press for his upcoming feature Inception. However, the source providing the story also claims that Warner Bros. is planning to make the sequel with or without Nolan.

Link | Posted 11/18/2009 by Ryan

Christopher Nolan | The Dark Knight | Batman 3

While everyone else was trolling around for hints about whom he might pick to play Bilbo, The Hobbit director Guillermo del Toro dropped an unexpected casting bombshell: That he will appear in his own movie. As a monster, no less. Coming from someone who takes his monsters so seriously — heck, he even takes them home as decorations — this promises to be a treat.

Del Toro won't be one of the major monsters; certainly not the dragon Smaug, whom he has spent the better part of a year designing. Like Alfred Hitchcock, he will only make a brief cameo in his movie. Here's what he says about the part:

I had a hand on the design of the creature and I will personally sculpt the appliances that will be applied on my face and hands.... I will have a line or two and die quickly.

So with that in mind, what are the options? There are a lot of creatures in The Hobbit, some of them familiar from The Lord of the Rings, but del Toro is planning on giving even those his own personal twist. Here are some of the more likely prospects.

Link | Posted 11/18/2009 by reelz

Peter Jackson | Guillermo del Toro | The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers | The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring | The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King | The Hobbit

It also offers a pretty cool preview of some of the movie's creature designs. Highlights include glimpses of the watery powers that Percy inherited from his sea god father Poseidon (Kevin McKidd), a very cool sequence in which his teacher Mrs. Dodds (Maria Olsen) transforms into a bat-winged Fury, and a first look at Uma Thurman as Medusa. Sporting a head full of snakes and a come-hither attitude, she tries to entice our young hero out from behind his iPod to "sneak a peek," with all the horrible consequences that would entail.

See Meet the Cast of Percy Jackson to learn more about the movie's half-bloods, Greek gods, monsters, and occasional mortals.

Link | Posted 11/18/2009 by Bill

Uma Thurman | Kevin McKidd | Logan Lerman | Maria Olsen | Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Jon Favreau and [the producers] are not stupid. They're also listening in on all of this and wanting to get the pulse of where the audience is. But at some point, they want to introduce Mandarin into the storyline and my character, like Mandarin, was the leader of the Ten Rings. We're leaving it open because, partly, it makes good business sense for us to leave a little bit of uncertainty for people to speculate on.

Tahir says Favreau has known "where he wants to take" Iron Man 3 "for a long time," and that there will be "linkage somewhere in [Iron Man 2" that will set up a third movie.

In the meantime, Tahir has taken roles in television shows as well as the supporting role of Captain Robau in Star Trek. Tahir's screen time is brief, which may be why he feels that director J.J. Abrams may be out to get him.

J.J. and I keep joking about that. I've done four things for him and every single thing I do for him, I die. It's like, "What the heck is your problem? Do you just not want me on Earth?" His last e-mail to me was, "I promise you the next time, you are not going to beepin' die."

My thinking was that because it sets the mood for the entire saga, it was worth doing and was going to have an impact. So it's 10 minutes, but it's a good 10 minutes.

Link | Posted 11/18/2009 by Ryan

Jon Favreau | J.J. Abrams | Faran Tahir | Iron Man 3 | Star Trek

The release date for The Wolfman has already been rescheduled several times, but the move to put the movie out in February was clearly done so that Murch and Goldblatt could have some time to fix things. The two editors likely will be cutting together footage from six weeks of reshoots completed over the summer, mostly supervised by second unit director Vic Armstrong.

Already, the work of the two editors has the movie looking more historic in the new French trailer, shown below ...:

Ok, we admit that's the trailer for the 1941 original. It might be a little while before any work from Murch and Goldblatt will be seen in trailers, if at all. The "new" French trailer is nothing more than a shortened version of the original trailer, but with French subtitles. You can see it for yourself here.

The Wolfman - Trailer

Benicio Del Toro and Anthony Hopkins Star

Link | Posted 11/18/2009 by Ryan

Joe Johnston | Mark Goldblatt | Vic Armstrong | Walter Murch | The Wolfman | The Wolf Man

That's a total rumor, I have to say. I was hanging out in Toronto the other day and someone came up to me and said, "I just heard you're doing Spider-Man 4." And I said,"Really? No one told me!" It's not true.

Of course, the original report only said that McAdams had met with Spider-Man 4 producers, not that she had the role. Still, a Sony rep confirmed that the McAdams casting is "an Internet rumor, as so many things are these days."

The search for an actress to play The Black Cat is still reportedly ongoing.

Link | Posted 11/18/2009 by Ryan

Rachel McAdams | Spider-Man 4

Considering the incredible success of director J.J. Abrams' Star Trek revamp, it was almost a foregone conclusion that Paramount Pictures would move forward with plans for a sequel. However, in the months since Star Trek debuted, there has been little heard about the proposed sequel beyond William Shatner 's plea to appear in the next movie and numerous internet rumors about Khan Noonien Singh, the genetically enhanced superhuman played by Ricardo Montalbán in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, making a return.

At the recent Star Trek DVD/Blu-Ray release party, Abrams and writer-producer Damon Lindelof spoke with Sci-Fi Wire about the planned sequel, which Lindelof said Paramount would be "hard pressed" to release by 2011, joking, "If that's the case, we'd better get to writing right now." Abrams confirmed Lindelof's statements about the script, or lack thereof, and mentioned that his involvement in the sequel is not set in stone.

In theory, I would be available [to direct Star Trek 2], and it would be fun to do. Since there's no script, it's hard to talk about directing a movie that the story doesn't even exist.

However, even without a script, Lindelof teased that Star Trek 2 might not be a linear sequel after all.

One of the things we like to do as storytellers is drop you in the middle of something. And the question that you're asking yourself is: Where am I in relation to the last time I left these guys? Could this be something that predated even, perhaps, some of the adventures that they had in the first movie? Does it happen five years later? Is it happening two seconds later? Who knows? So we're not going to tell you.

And, as for the rumors of Khan appearing in Star Trek 2, even though Abrams said earlier this month that "nothing is off limits," he told Sci-Fi Wire:

We're not even at that stage yet, but the fun of where we are on the sequel is we could use some of what was done before in a new way. But we haven't even figured out what we would use yet, so it's very early on.

Star Trek - Trailer 2 HD

J.J. Abrams Directs

Link | Posted 11/18/2009 by BrentJS

William Shatner | J.J. Abrams | Damon Lindelof | Star Trek | Star Trek 2

Hack/Slash is a twist on the slasher movie genre. Created by writer Tim Seeley, the comic's heroine, Cassie Hack, is a horror victim survivor who decides to hunt down other slashers with her brooding and mysterious partner Vlad. Kat Dennings (Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, the upcoming Defendor) has expressed interest in the role, though no casting decisions have been made.

Production on Hack/Slash was set to begin early next year, but with the addition of a new screenwriter, that start date may be pushed back. Swedish music video director Fredrik Bond has also taken over the directing duties from Todd Lincoln.

Link | Posted 11/18/2009 by Ryan

Kat Dennings | Stephen Susco

You're probably familiar with the Chuck Norris "fact" phenomenon. If not, here's a few examples:

"There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live."

"Chuck Norris is the reason why Waldo is hiding."

"Chuck Norris can divide by zero."

"When Chuck Norris was denied an Egg McMuffin at McDonald's because it was 10:35, he roundhouse-kicked the store so hard it became a Wendy's."

Now, the man himself is capitalizing on the phenomenon by releasing The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book, in which he recounts not only his 101 favorite "facts," but also the real-life stories behind them.

In an interview with MTV, he talked about one of these stories in particular:

The very first [fact in the book] is "Chuck Norris was bitten by a cobra, and after five days of excruciating pain, the cobra died." And what I do in the book is, I write a fact, and then I'll tell a story. ... In this particular story here, when I was doing Walker, Texas Ranger, I had a scene where I had to pick up a five-foot rattlesnake.

He then goes on to talk about what happened after repeat takes with the snake. Norris also confirms that he can, indeed dribble a football and that he did in fact create a giraffe by uppercutting a horse.

This may be a little early, since it's not quite Holiday time, but we have our own Chuck Norris "fact" in honor of Channukah:

"The temple oil was only supposed to burn for one day. Chuck Norris took the oil out back for a little 'chat.' The oil got the message and burned for eight days. Amen."

Write us your own favorite "fact" in the comments sections below.

Link | Posted 11/18/2009 by Rich Z

Chuck Norris

Newly arrived at Terminal Island, a prison for the most nonredeemable of convicts, CARL "LUKE" LUCAS must prove his mettle in a race to the death...

Much like the remake, "death" and "race" aren't arbitrary words in the title. The casting notice describes the two lead characters Lucas, replacing Jason Statham, and September Jones, filling in for the Warden character Joan Allen played in the remake.

[CARL "LUKE" LUCAS]

In his 20s-30, American, European, British, Australian, Latino, etc., handsome and confident, with a hint of danger, Lucas has been in trouble since the age of 12. Right-hand man to a notorious mobster for twelve years, he is sent away for life after killing a cop in the course of robbing a bank. Offered a deal by the DA if he turns state's evidence, Lucas opts to take his chances behind bars, where he soon captures the attention of a violence-peddling television producer. Possessed of some serious driving skills, assertive, strong, and charismatic, Lucas is a natural fit for the ultimate test, aka, the "Death Race."...LEAD (2) STAR NAMES PREFERRED - ANY NATIONALITY, ANY ETHNICITY

[SEPTEMBER JONES]

In her 20s - early 30s, a model turned journalist, September is "insatiably ambitious and eye-poppingly gorgeous," a woman who knows how to use what she's got to get what she wants. She's callous and self-serving, dressed provocatively, with the soul of an ice-pick, but the brains to know how to market violence to the masses. When ratings for her gladiator-style television show begin plummeting, September is quick to come up with the "Death Race" concept, thrilled by its stunning success sptv050769...LEAD (2) STAR NAMES PREFERRED - ANY NATIONALITY, ANY ETHNICITY

Screenwriter Tony Giglio told ShockTillYouDrop that Death Race: Frankenstein Lives is an "an origin film, in every sense... not simply of the Death Race or Frankenstein, but of [characters] Lists and [Elizabeth] Case." Both characters are listed in the casting notice along with Gunner and 14K, all of whom were characters in Anderson's version. Whether or not the original actors will return is uncertain.

Giglio says the prequel will be closely tied to Anderson's Death Race.

I also took painstaking efforts to make certain that this prequel organically sets up a lot of the stuff that was in the original. Frankenstein is a bad ass. Unlike Statham's character in the original, Carl Lucas is a bad guy. He wasn't framed. He's not fighting to get out to save his children. He's a convicted cop killer. A guy who's worked for the mob his whole life. A true anti-hero. The idea was Mad Max. He'll do the right thing, but only if it serves him. I hope that gives this film an edge most don't.

Death Race: Frankenstein Lives is currently seeking a director. Anderson and Jeremy Bolt will executive produce the movie, which will start production on February 22, 2010.

Link | Posted 11/17/2009 by Ryan

Paul W.S. Anderson | Tony Giglio | Death Race | Death Race 2 | Death Race 2000

In a recent interview with Moviefone, Wilde discussed working on a movie as close to home as Fix, which was inspired by an actual day in the lives of her husband and his brother, a heroin addict.

It was the closest I've ever been to material because I knew the day it was based on and knew the person so well, but I feel that we responsibly represented that real day and that real person. It has been really interesting to go around the world and have these audiences respond so much to the idea of addiction within the family and trying to force someone you love to do something that they may not want to do. It's a universal theme, even though it was a very personal story.

Unfortunately, while Wilde did discuss performing stunts and wearing "rubber suits" in Tron: Legacy in a prior interview, she did not offer much additional insight into the highly-anticipated sequel.

[Tron: Legacy was] amazing. Very different from Fix! There's such a cone of silence around Tron, but it'll be fun to watch. That was also an amazing honor, to be able to carry on a legacy like Tron. I don't think diehard fans will be disappointed. I think they will be very happy with what we did. There's a real story. It's going to look cool, but that's not all [there is to it].

Tron Legacy - Concept Footage

An early build from the new Tron reboot.

Link | Posted 11/17/2009 by BrentJS

Jeff Bridges | Olivia Wilde | Tao Ruspoli | Tron | Tron: Legacy | Year One | Turistas

Carla Gugino is carving out an unusual career that ranges from playing a secret-spy Mom in the family-friendly franchise Spy Kids to a pregnant porn star in Women in Trouble. Gugino is currently re-teaming up with Watchmen's director Zack Snyder in Sucker Punch, playing a character that Gugino told the Palm Beach Post will require her to perform more than just a dual role.

I'm a psychiatrist at an asylum and, in an alternate world, a dominatrix, choreographer and madam in a brothel. I sing and dance. I'm Polish and I have red hair. That's all I'm going to say. I have this amazing scene where I do this wild stunt over and over. All of a sudden I was like, "I'm covered in bruises. How did that happen?"

Gugino told Movieline that she won't be alone in her song and dance routine, either.

Oscar Isaac and myself, we sing a duet. I don't know if I can say what the song is yet, but yes, I do sing and dance.

Gugino and Isaac aren't the only cast members performing musical numbers. Co-star Jamie Chung admitted in September that she, too will be singing in the movie. Gugino agrees with Chung that singing is the scariest part of working on Sucker Punch.

I've just been terrified of singing for most of my life, and of late, I've done so much of it. I did a short film that Joe Gordon-Levitt directed me in where I play a rock singer, and in Elektra Luxx, there's a very small dream sequence where I sing and do a little dance. I'm like, I've gotta get my act together!

Electra Luxx is the sequel to Women in Trouble, which is currently in theaters in limited release. Luxx, which Gugino called a "total independent film homage to Lord of the Rings," was shot before Women even reached theaters. A third movie in the series, Women in Ecstasy, has been written but has not been shot yet.

Women In Trouble - Trailer

About a day in the life of some women in trouble

Link | Posted 11/17/2009 by Ryan

Carla Gugino | Zack Snyder | Sucker Punch | Women in Trouble

Stevenson will play the boisterous Volstagg the Valiant, a character based on William Shakespeare's Falstaff, while Townsend will play the swashbuckling Fandral the Dashing, originally based on actor Errol Flynn. Asano will play the pessimistic Hogun the Grim, who is often the voice of reason for the trio.

Thor starts production in mid-January, with direction by Kenneth Branagh. Chris Hemsworth stars as Thor, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, and Anthony Hopkins plays Thor's father, Odin.

Link | Posted 11/17/2009 by Ryan

Tadanobu Asano | Stuart Townsend | Ray Stevenson | Thor

The next planned effort from the director of A Scanner Darkly, Fast Food Nation, Before Sunrise, and Dazed and Confused was supposed to be one of the projects protected from Disney's cuts. But Movieline recently caught up with Linklater, who indicated unequivocally that the project is on hold indefinitely.

It's no longer happening, unfortunately. It didn't really work out. It's tough.

Tough indeed, because Linklater had already cast Rebecca Hall and Kat Dennings in the romantic comedy, which involves a road trip in which the two lead characters visit Hall's exes and attempt to retrieve personal effects.

The sudden dissolution of the project also means that Linklater has nothing on the horizon, which will come as a disappointment to his fans. Many were anticipating a possible sequel to School of Rock, but in the same conversation with Movieline, Linklater said that he has spoken with Jack Black and that there are no plans to go forward with that idea.

I don’t think I have anything coming up! Everybody asks me about School of Rock 2, and that’s not really happening. It’s not on the front burner. Mike White was writing on it a long time ago, but it’s become dormant ... I saw Jack the other night, and we talk about it. We’re not gonna do it just to do it. Let’s just say it’s still kind of on the backburner and it’s no one’s next project.

It's a shame Linklater won't have any projects forthcoming, although we don't imagine it will take him long to come up with something else. For now, we're anticipating Me and Orson Welles, which arrives in limited release next Friday.

Link | Posted 11/17/2009 by Rich Z

Jack Black | Kat Dennings | Mike White | Richard Linklater | Rebecca Hall | The School of Rock