Branagh: Thor Starts in January

While the lead role is yet to be cast, noted actor and director Kenneth Branagh has confirmed that shooting begins in January.  The two most likely leads at the moment seem to be fan favorite Alexander Skarsgard (True Blood), and Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy).

In an exclusive chat with ign Brnagah seems in high sprirts and eager to get filming as he talks of the intensity of Thor's pre-production, and that the crew is having loads of fun.  He mentions that the delay from the original release date has allowed him to work on Wallenders as well as Thor.

Branagh has also confirmed that Wallanders co-star Tom Hiddleston is in the running for a role in the film.

Now, I'm not familiar with Hiddleston or Wallanders, but from the image above, I'd highly doubt he's up for the lead role.  Most likely he is a potential Loki.  Thor's half brother and god of mischief, the predominant villain in Thor's world.

So, for those of you familiar, what do you think of Hiddleston as a potential Loki?

Thor, the Lord of the Rings of Superheroes is sure to be a sight to behold with Branagh at the helm

Megan Fox talks Upcoming Projects

The above picture is the most recent of super hottie Megan Fox on the set of Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen, do in theater's June 24th. the picture was revealed today on yahoo movies.

In addition to the above picture, Megan spoke to USA Today about two of her upcoming projects, the in production Jonah Hex, and Fathom the underwater action adventure based on the series by artis Michael Turner.  One of her favorites, and mine, too.

Here is what she had to say:

Jonah Hex" [shooting soon] is adapted from a post-Civil War, apocalyptic-type graphic novel. The main character is this real like bloody badass, and I play the love interest. It's a new take on the Westerns. It's not slow, and the suspense is totally different. I'm also doing Fathom. That's a comic book property by my favorite artist, Michael Turner. It's about this underwater race of people, and it's plausible, really, because so much of the ocean is unexplored. We don't really know what's under there. It could be happening, which I like.

In addition to the comic flicks, Megan talks about wanting to prover herself as an actress, and taking a variety of roles.  Seth Rogen, soon to star in the live action Green Hornet aslo talks about the film, and his career.

The entire article can be read here

Wall Street Sequel Gets Stoned and LaBeoufed

Never thought much would come out of Money Never Sleeps, the in-development sequel to Oliver Stone's Wall Street. This despite the fact that Michael Douglas signed on to reprise his Oscar-winning role of ice-blooded bastard Gordon Gekko last year.

To be honest, it wasn't until the good folks at Latino Review did their (quiet-awesome) video script review that I began to take any real notice of the project. Check it out here if you haven't already.

Now comes official word from 20th Century Fox, that the film now re-titled Wall Street 2 is a go. And surprisingly enough (in a good way, mind you!), Stone himself has agreed to direct the film. Also in the mix is Shia LaBeouf whose currently "in talks" to play the lead opposite Douglas' Gekko.

Now some will argue that Stone is only doing this because last year's W. bombed. Seriously who didn't fucking think that would tank?

The way I see it, LaBeouf stands to gain the most from this. He's a likeable actor and what not. But he seriously needs to headline a successful film that doesn't involve special effects, running a lot and/or has the name Steven Spielberg listed in the credits.

Yet Another X-Man Getting Spun-Off...Joy.

As much of a "Meh!" film X-Men: The Last Stand was, there was still enough material left to move forward with a fourth installment as well as the "revolving door"of actors - some of whom including Shawn Ashmore and Ellen Page are still under contract for follow-ups. But instead Fox gave the go-ahead on the prequel X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

To be fair, it wasn't an unwise move considering the popularity of X-Men (from the comics, films and various animated-series) boils down to everyone's favorite Canadian mutant. And in this case, actor Hugh Jackman whose spent the last month pimping this film more so than I recall for the previous ones.

                                                               Ironically enough, the future of the merry mutants continues to involve their past as Fox is already developing a number of spin-off/prequels to go along with Wolverine (assuming the opening weekend is as big as it's tracking to be!) Of course, we're already aware of David Goyer's Magneto prequel and X-Men: The First Class as well the possibilities of more solo Logan outtings and Deadpool who makes an appearance in Wolverine.

Producer Lauren Shuler Donner explains to IESB big-cheese (and now fancy-pants War Monkeys producer) Robert Sanchez that Gambit (another popular mutant making his silver screen debut in the prequel) won't be enrolled in The First Class. However, "internal discussions" have been under-way for a spin-off for the Cajun card-playing mutant.

Usually, I'm as high as a kite in terms of excitement - especially when it comes to the summer film-season being kicked off. But I've frankly lost all interest in this franchise. Don't get me wrong, I've already got my ticket purchased - just know the line Friday evening will be long. But for fuck's sake, more X-Men prequels?!?

What are they just trying to avoid working with Halle Berry again or something?

Beyonce & Ali Are Obsessed With Box Office

Weekend Actuals (Apr. 24th - Apr. 26th)

1 Obsessed $28,612,730
2 17 Again $11,518,495
3 Fighting $11,024,370
4 The Soloist $9,716,458
5 Earth (2009) $8,825,760
6 Monsters Vs. Aliens $8,520,826
7 State of Play Uni. $6,848,885
8 Hannah Montana The Movie $6,437,141
9 Fast and Furious $6,204,940
10 Crank: High Voltage $2,618,379

There's a New Superman In Town...

...not really. Sorry, but I knew it would grab your attention!

Well technically speaking, the title is correct in that a new actor has surfaced as Superman/Clark Kent. But not in the manner you'd think.

Matthew Bomer (who currently appears on the television series "Chuck," that you should be watching if you haven't already) was widely reported to be Brett Ratner's top choice to don the red-and-blue suit back when the "Rush Hour" director was working on the project.

But the hands of fate (and wild-man producer Jon Peters) stepped in and the young actor lost his chance of gaining the attention of millions as the next Man of Steel - an honor that ultimately went to Brandon Routh in Bryan Singer's "Superman Returns" whose still lined up to reprise the role in the forthcoming next installment.

Cut to today as a video has surfaced for a Japanese television ad for the new 2009 Toyota Prius...and features Bomer as a certain mild-mannered reporter with music from a certain iconic John Williams theme playing in the background. That, and a particular S symbol shows up at the end.

Granted, there isn't much to read into this in regards to this affecting the next "Superman" film. I seem to remember Pierce Brosnan did some James Bond-type commercials years before he finally wore the tuxedo himself in 1995's "Goldeneye."

But it's still cool to see just how Bomer would have come across had he been cast. And special bonus points go out to those viewers noticing that it's the suit from "Superman Returns" that's used in the ad.

Megan Fox on the Jonah Hex set

The first pics of Megan Fox in costume for the DC Western film Jonah Hex have hit the internet. In the film, Fox plays the role of Leila, an accomplice of Jonah's. Jonah Hex for those unfamilair is the stroy of a man who as a child wa sold into slavery to the Apache whose face was later scarred and as an adult he is a boubty hunter in the Civil War era. Leila is a world wearied whore, and these pics of Fox are sure to be fulfilling fanboy fantasies for years to come.

The full gallery of pics can be seen here

Movie Moan - To Boldly Go Off-Topic

On this week's edition, our heroes discuss Universal's recent decision to place BioShock "on hold" and what this means for its director Gore Verbinski.

Phil gives his $.02 on Clash of the Titans and asks the eternal question "How can Ralph Fiennes compare to James Woods?" and Jamie is given one last time to "repent" from his prediction that Wolverine will churn out $70-$80 million as the 2009 Summer Box-Office season officially begins this coming Friday.

But as usual, the guys (mostly Jamie, to be fair) get off-topic posing such questions as "Is Diet Pepsi considered a food?" and "Is Sam Worthington really worth the hype he's been getting for the past two years now?"

All of that and more (including what Jamie thinks is going on with Sam Raimi and Spider-Man 4 behind-the-scenes) on this week's Movie Moan!

Movie Moan - To Boldly Go Off-Topic

Fan-Made Film Taking Respectable Trip To Middle Earth

All things considered, the trailer for the upcoming fan-made film "The Hunt For Gollum" looks fairly decent.

Word has it the 40-minute film will bridge "The Hobbit" and "The Fellowship of the Ring."

The film-makers cast look-alikes and I have to say that I have seen much worse. And the effects look better than I expected.

Keep an eye out for the full film, due out May 3, 2009, from www.thehuntforgollum.com.

Week of Wolverine: Ooo Shiny

~~A set of character clips from "X-Men Origins: Wolverine", which is set to drop on May 1st, have been released by Yahoo Movies.~~

Yahoo Movies: "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" Character Clips

~~Fox has released the 3rd full trailer for "X-Men Origins: Wolverine through Apple which can be viewed via QuickTime in a multitude of sizes.~~

Apple: 3rd Full "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" Trailer

~~Yet another "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" TV Spot which debuted on Facebook of all places. The marketing for this film is everywhere.~~

Facebook: New "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" TV Spot

~~Superhero Hype has more on the "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" video game, which is a movie tie in and will be released on May 1st along with the film.~~

Superhero Hype: "X-Men Origins: Wolverine Video Game Update

~~Empire Magazine has another in what has been a long line of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" video clips straight from 20th Century Fox.~~

Empire Magazine: New "X-Men Origins: Wolverine Video Clip