LOLCASTING

QUIS CUSTODIET IPSOS CUSTODES?

As reported all over the net, Warner Bros. have made casting announcements for the fall-shooting Zach Snyder vehicle, Watchmen. The classic Alan Moore/Dave Gibbons graphic novel is considered the greatest of all comic book creations by fans and critics alike.

The movie will star:

Billy Crudup (Almost Famous, Big Fish, MI:III) as Dr. Manhattan

Jackie Earle Haley (Breaking Away, Bad News Bears, Oscar-nominated for Little Children) as Rorschach

Matthew Goode (The Lookout, Match Point) as Ozymandias

Patrick Wilson (Hard Candy) as Nite-Owl

Malin Akerman (Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle) as the Silk Spectre

Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Supernatural, Grey's Anatomy) as the Comedian

Look for more Rorschach Reports as production continues!

THE INCREDIBLE HULK GETS HURT

William Hurt has been announced as the latest addition to the cast of Marvel Studios' The Incredible Hulk.

Hurt will be taking over the role of General Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross; Long time nemesis, and father of Bruce Banner's love interest, Betty Ross.

William Hurt joins an already strong cast featuring Edward Norton, as Bruce Banner/Hulk, Liv Tyler as Betty Ross, and Tim Roth as Emil Blonsky/Abomination.

Finally, Marvel has the freedom to express the stories they want to tell with out compromising to a big movie studio. Add that to the amazing cast, the script written by Zak Penn, the writer of X2 and X3, and the rumored cameo by Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark.

I, for one, haven't heard one thing yet that diminishes my excitement for this release.

SAMUEL L. JACKSON'S GOT "SPIRIT"

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Samuel L. Jackson is taking on the role of the Octopus in Frank Miller's film adaptation of the Will Eisner comic, The Spirit.

The Octopus, who is The Spirit's arch nemesis, never had his face revealed in any of the stories, but could be identified by readers by his distinctive gloves.

Will we see Sam, or just hear him telling everyone what a "bad mutherf*cker" he is?

PACINO AND DENIRO TO OVERACT TOGETHER!

Variety reports that scenery chewing thespians Al Pacino and Rober DeNiro are teaming up together in the independent film, Righteous Kill.

This marks the first time that the one-time talented actors starred together in a film after sharing several onscreen scenes in Michael Mann's Heat.

Jon Avnet will direct the film which features the two actors as cops chasing a serial killer.

ROTH IS AN (THE) ABOMINATION

The Hollywood Reporter announced that indie-actor Tim Roth will be playing the villainous Abomination in the upcoming Universal Picture, The Incredible Hulk, opposite Edward Norton and Liv Tyler.





In the comic book series, The Abomination is KGB agent Emil Blonksy who subjects himself to a higher dose of gamma radiation, making him more powerful than the Hulk.


Louis Leterrier directs the film which promises to be far more exciting that the first Hulk film.

LIV TYLER IS (A) BETTY

According to The Hollywood Reporter, my longtime crush Liv Tyler has signed on to play the part of Betty Ross in the upcoming Marvel Film, The Incredible Hulk.

The part had been played by Jennifer Connelly in 2003's The Hulk.

With Edward Norton as Banner, Louis Leterrier directing and now Tyler joining the cast, I have high hopes that this "re-imagining" will be pretty darned entertaining.

STATHAM IN A "DEATH RACE"

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Transporter himself, Jason Statham is in negotiations to star in Paul W.S. Anderson's Death Race, a remake of the 1975 Roger Corman cult classic, Death Race 2000.

The original film starred David Carradine and Sylvester Stallone and chronicled a dystopian future where the President presided over an ultra-violent road race from New York to Los Angeles, plowing down anything and anybody in their path.

I'm a huge Statham fan, but I can't not be a bit disappointed in the choice of Anderson (Aliens Vs. Predator, Soldier) as the director. A Death Race picture could be a lot of fun, especially if they hype up the violence and hyper-exaggerate everything a la Grand Theft Auto.


Jason, call Luc Besson.

Quickly.

FOX X

The Hollywood Reporter announced that Lost star Matthew Fox has taken on the role of Racer X in the Wachowski's upcoming film Speed Racer. In addition, Australian actor Kick Gurry is in negotiations to play Mach 5 mechanic, Sparky.











Personally, I can't think of better casting for Racer X.

Go, Speed, Go!

YOU WOULDN'T LIKE ME WHEN I'M ANGRY...

EDWARD NORTON TO STAR IN THE INCREDIBLE HULK

LET'S ALL PLAY!

Guess who is playing "Trixie" in Speed Racer and who is (not yet officially confirmed) playing "The Son of Jones" in Indy IV?

HE'LL SAVE EVERYONE OF US!

The Hollywood Reporter has announced that the Sci-Fi Channel has found their lead for their upcoming series, Flash Gordon.


Smallville alum Eric Johnson, who portrayed Clark Kent's nemesis Whitney Fordham, has signed to play the classic comic strip hero in the 22-hour series. Casting is still underway for Flash's allies Dale Arden and Dr. Hans Zarkov and arch-nemesis Ming the Merciless.




Flash Gordon was created by Alex Raymond. Flash Gordon the series is being is expected to premiere this August on the Sci-Fi Channel.

MEET MOM AND POPS RACER

From the Hollywood Reporter.

John Goodman as Pops.













Susan Sarandon as Mom.

THE MAN WITH THE WHIP IS BACK AND THIS TIME, HE'S BRINGING HIS COMFORTABLE SHOES WITH GOOD ARCH SUPPORT!

Ah, Indiana Jones.


I saw Raiders of the Lost Ark approximately two dozen times in the theater (for you kids out there, you have to understand, it played forever, then would be rereleased, and would play forever again).

The movie (unlike it's sequels) is a perfect film. The third film, 1989's Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, ended the trilogy with at least an adequate amount of dignity.

Do we really need Indy 4?

If producer George Lucas has learned anything from the Star Wars prequels, shouldn't it be "let sleeping dogs lie?"

Lucas compares script notes with Han Solo for the
upcoming, "Indiana Jones and the Enlarged Prostate"

Of course I'm going to see it.

So are you.

But I don't really need it.

Oh yeah, the Hollywood Reporter announced that Ray Winstone (The Departed,Sexy Beast) is joining the cast as Indy's sidekick, which already includes Harrison Ford and Cate Blanchett. Indiana Jones 4 will be directed by Steven Spielberg and will be released May 22, 2008.

Sadly, I'll see you there.

THE DESPERADO AND JACK SPARROW ARE OFF TO SIN CITY

MTV spoke to director Robert Rodriguez about the next chapters of the Sin City film series that he's working on with collaborator Frank Miller.


According to Rodriguez, Sin City 2 is "based on 'A Dame to Kill For,' which has a lot of the old characters still alive because it's a prequel to 'The Big Fat Kill'".

Rosario Dawson and Jessica Alba are expected to reprise their roles as Gail and Nancy Callahan, respectively in Sin City 2.

Rodriguez also suggested that the third film will revolve around "Hell and Back," the story of Wallace, a brooding artist who, due to being drugged repetitively, wanders through most of the tale hallucinating. Johnny Depp is expected to play Wallace in the film, and although no deal is in place yet, Rodriguez in confident that the actor will sign.

According to MTV, Rodriguez stated that,"He (Depp) was interested in doing the Jackie Boy character that Benicio [del Toro] played [in the first one], but he was doing that movie 'Libertine' in Europe and it just kept getting pushed and delayed and went right through our shooting schedule," Rodriquez said of the actor he directed in "Once Upon a Time in Mexico." "But there is a better role for him in ['Hell and Back']. I kept going, 'Gosh, Jackie Boy is a small part, he could be really good [as Wallace].' When he wasn't available, I thought maybe it was meant to be."

Miller is also working to find a place in the saga for frequent Rodriguez collaborator Antonio Banderas.

"When I showed him the first sample of the work, he went, 'Man I'll do anything in that. I'll be the hunchback. You have to bring me onboard, that looks amazing,' " Rodriguez recalled. "So Frank met him that time too and he said, 'I have got to find something for that guy. I've never met him before. He's amazing.' [So we're] looking at the cast of characters and [looking] to see where he can fit."

HOGWARTS FOREVER - RADCLIFFE, GRINT AND WATSON SIGN ON FOR HARRY POTTER 6 & 7!!!

According to hpana.com, recent rumors have been squashed and Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson have all signed on to reprise their roles as Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger in the final two film installments of the Warner Bros. Pictures franchise, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows.

The Press Release states:

Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson will reprise the roles they have made their own: teen wizards Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, respectively, in Warner Bros. Pictures' Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the final two motion picture adaptations of J.K. Rowling's best-selling book series. The announcement was made today by Jeff Robinov, President of Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.

Jeff Robinov said of Daniel, Rupert and Emma:

When Daniel, Rupert and Emma were first cast as Harry, Ron and Hermione, we knew they were not only talented, but had a very special chemistry. Through the years, and in each of the 'Harry Potter' films, we have watched them grow into extraordinary young adults, as well as remarkable actors. It would be inconceivable to imagine anyone else in the roles with which they have become so identified, so we are thrilled and proud that Daniel, Rupert and Emma have chosen to complete the arc of their characters in the final two films.

Producer David Heyman commented:

One of the highlights of this journey has been to witness Dan, Rupert and Emma blossom from children into young adults. They have emerged as consummate professionals who are dedicated to honing their craft and striving for excellence. And yet, throughout, they have retained their enthusiasm and spirit, and they remain, to this day, the same wonderful, kind and generous individuals I met all those years ago.

Daniel remarked:

Playing the role of Harry Potter has been an immense privilege, and I look forward to completing the series. I feel a huge sense of loyalty to the character of Harry and the fans who have supported these films over the years. During filming, I have learnt so much, made lots of friends and met people who have changed my life. I am indebted to J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros. and David Heyman for giving me this fantastic opportunity.

Putting recent speculation that she was pulling out of the series Emma stated:

I could never let Hermione go--she is my hero! I love her too much and love what playing her has meant to me. I am excited and honoured to be finishing what I started and playing her in all seven of the films.

Rupert added:

Ron Weasley has become a big part of my life and not just because we've both got ginger hair! I've been so proud to play him and loved every second of being part of this world. I'm really looking forward to filming the last two films and being back with my 'Weasley family' and, of course, to seeing my good friends Emma and Dan. Thank you to everyone for being so supportive over the years; we couldn't have done it without you.

The fifth film Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix will be released on July 13th one week prior to the release of author J.K. Rowling's final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows.

Muggles Beware!!!

FUNNY, HE DOESN'T LOOK ANIME

According to The Hollywood Reporter, actor Emile Hirsch (Alpha Dog, The Girl Next Door) is in talks to star in the live-action version of Speed Racer to be directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski.

Based on the 1960's animated series, Speed, a "demon on wheels", drives the Mach Five, a state of the art race car. Other characters expected to appear in the film are Speed's Family and the mysterious Racer X (in actuality, Speed's believed to be deceased older brother, Rex Racer).

Unfortunately, no casting rumors yet for simian co-star, Chim Chim.

For those of you with a fuzzy memory or if you are just feeling nostalgic check out the original Speed Racer opening titles:

KATEE SACKHOFF IS A TOASTER

Battlestar Galactica fans who held out hope that Katee Sackhoff's Starbuck would be revealed as a Cylon this season might have to look elsewhere for their evil fembot wish fulfillment. Sackhoff has been cast as a guest-star in NBC's remake of The Bionic Woman according to Zap2It.com.

The "Battlestar Galactica" star, whose character was recently killed off (or so it appears, anyway), has signed on to the pilot... Sackhoff will play an evil bionic woman in the pilot, which is co-written and executive produced by "Galactica's" David Eick.

Sackhoff had teased news of her involvement in a pilot several weeks ago on a Portland, OR radio show, fueling speculation that Starbuck was well-and-truly dead. She's not, but you can go on believing it until you're proven wrong next Sunday. I'll be listening to Hendrix's "All Along the Watchtower" if anyone needs me.