Transformers 3 Gets Its Title

A title this stupid is by no means a surprise considering the franchise in question. This feels more like a "OK. Here it is, now move along, people!" story.

TFW2005 (via Collider) uncovered the title for the third Transformers movie – Transformers: The Dark of the Moon.

Although the plot is being kept under lock and key, we can rest assured expect Shia LaBeouf's Sam running away from explosions, his parents embarrassing him in some fashion, fart jokes (how does one top Transformer testicals?) and Michael Bay camera-fucking.

All the while this going on, Megan Fox will be sulking somewhere in the world wishing she'd kept her big ungrateful mouth shut.

Warner Brothers Eyeing Directors for Tales from the Gangster Squad

Warner Brothers is a blaze to get going on Tales from the Gangster Squad. As of last week, the studio knocked on the door of Ben Affleck (hot off The Town being an across-the-board success with audiences, critics and financially), and seemed like a good pairing given the subject matter and the actor/director’s filmography as of late.

Vulture reports Affleck has passed on the opportunity to make the crime drama (about a team of cops out to bring down L.A. gangster Mickey Cohen in the 1940s) his third directorial project. One helmer down, but there are plenty of others out there, and the studio is certainly looking.

They've reportedly already tapped on the shoulders of one Darren Aronofsky to take the reign and waiting to hear a "Ya or nay" answer back from him. Now if he passes (and he's in the midst of talks with Fox about that Wolverine sequel), Latino Review knows who else is on WB's list.

Assuming Aronofsky rejects their offer, Greg Berlanti (Life As We Know It), Martin Campbell (Green Lantern), Scott Cooper (Crazy Hart), Paul Greengrass (United 93) and Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend) are the other candidates up to snuff.

Your guess is as good as the next schmuck's about who will get the job. I'd prefer Aronofsky just as so he can avoid that Wolverine follow-up. But I'd be a dipshit to stick my nose up at the likes of these back-up directors either.

Darren Aronosfky Might Helm Wolverine 2 After All?

He doesn't "need" to do one. No one will argue his career is headed anywhere near the Border in quality. But Darren Aronofsky seems hell-bent to direct a big comic-book tentpole, and one way or another, he'll get his way.

Since the Superman gig slipped through his fingers, Vulture reports Aronofsky is in negotiations to helm 20^th Century Fox's Wolverine sequel. Similar to the Last Son of Krypton, the next solo Logan flick has gone through a slew of would-be directors. Aronofsky himself was in contention for the latest X-Men spin-off months back. But last we all peaked in; David Slade appeared all but locked in. Perhaps the opportunity of apprehending a high-caliber helmer in Aronofsky is too enticing for the studio – especially when star Hugh Jackman has director approval and keen to work with his Fountain helmer again.

Of course, talks between Aronofsky's people and Fox could hit a standstill. That's what I'm hoping goes down. If he's going to go full on comic book movie, I'd rather it be Preacher (although it'd be a cold day in Hell before any studio bankrolls that – it'd have to be independently funded in order to happen, and if that appears highly unlikely) or that Robocop reboot.

Superman Auditions Commence Next Month

Didn't get your fill of Superman: The Man of Steel info for now? You need not worry. We're only half-way through the week and there's plenty more to spread around.

Now that we have a story (though the shape of its script is in question), director (Zack Snyder) and release date (Christmas 2012), we need a young chap to wear the red-and-blue suit as the new Kal-El. Just who the Hell will that be?

What's Playing says auditioning for Clark Kent and his big-blue-scout alter ego (or the other way around depending on your interpretation of the character) starts next month with "names preferred" as the objective. Their casting agency source goes as far to say they expect "a big name" sporting that iconic S symbol on his chest (Jon Hamm, perhaps?)

Then again, these roles are typically filled by lesser-to-flat out-unknown actors (usually because they're cheap and willing to commit to a multiple-picture deal). So it's no surprise to hear possible candidates to headline the franchise include "the dead boyfriend on Damages" (Noah Bean) and "the True Blood guy" (could be any number of folks, but I'm guessing Joe Manganiello as he's made it publicly known his desire to play Supes for awhile now).

It wasn't too terribly long between Bryan Singer coming aboard for Superman Returns and the casting of Brandon Routh (who'd long been on WB's radar). Curious to see how quickly the studio and filmmakers lock down our next cinematic Man of Steel.

El Presidente Could Be A Few Good Men Reunion

Whether it's Tom Cruise or Jack Nicholson if you think of one of them, your head is bound to go straight to that military court-room confrontation from A Few Good Men. It's so well known (and parodied) that any possible reunion of the two actors will always bring up a "Can they top that?" question from people.

The Los Angeles Times says that chance may be coming. Warner Brothers is eyeing the two to headline the action-comedy El Presidente, penned by television writer Dan Goor whose filmography mostly includes late night talk shows and more recently the criminally under-watched comedy Parks & Recreation.

The story centers on a Secret Service agent assigned to protect an ex-president. When an assassination attempt is made on the "bumbling and degenerate" former sitting president, the two are forced on the run. Not a practically intriguing concept, but obviously it'll be about execution on the part on the filmmakers and, in this case, what actors are secured for said lead roles.

Cruise is attached for the agent part (obviously) and an offer has been sent to Nicholson for Mr. President. If WB counts their blessings and can get both deals locked, would audiences pay to see a Cruise/Nicholson reunion? I think so.

Emma Stone Playing Gwen Stacy (!?!) in Spider-Man

A few days ago, Sony reportedly sent an offer to Emma Stone for the female lead in their forthcoming Spider-Man reboot. Considering her working relationship with them (Easy A has proven to be a nice hit in theatres right now and she co-starred in other hits Superbad and Zombieland), many suggested she'd likely take the gig.

Well, she made her decision and the answer is "Yes." She'll be smooching Andrew Garfield come July 2012. But holy plot twist, she won't be red-head Mary Jane Watson as everyone (including yours truly, I won't lie) assumed but instead Gwen Stacy. Well, she is a natural blonde, to be fair.

I was really hoping she'd veto the offer because she doesn't "need" this franchise at this juncture in her career. Don't see how exactly she'd benefit from associated with it either. For her sake, I hope the payday is good (at least, up to snuff with her wall-crawling leading man's $500 Gs salary).

Spider-Man will swing into regular and 3D theatres July 3, 2012 – where it will get its balls kicked in by Star Trek 2 (opening mere days before) and Batman 3 (opens July 20).

X-Men: First Class Recreating Opening from First Film

This finally puts an end to the "Is it a prequel or reboot?" question posed for X-Men: First Class. It's the former.

Bleeding Cool says director Matthew Vaughn & Co. are recreating the opening to Bryan Singer's original ten years ago. That sequence (of a young pre-Magneto Eric Lensherr witnessing his family being carted away by the Nazis) made it clear this world (at least, under Singer's watch) wasn't one-liners with over-muscled stunt guys in silly costumes. I even remember my sister asking in horror, "Oh my God, this is a comic-book movie?"

Vaughn's team are reshooting the actor near shot-to-shot (with new actors, duh), but apparently deviates with "some very dramatic twists." Hmmm.

Thankfully, we know this is a prequel now – not that that suddenly makes this is my Must-See tentpole for next summer. But consider me intrigued.

Alien Prequels Hit Speed Bump

Those two big Alien prequels Ridley Scott was developing? You remember, the ones I objected to as a stupid idea and no need of connecting-the-dots before Kane's (eventually) dead ass woke up?

Script Flags says the project is suffering from a case of butting heads. Scott wants a budget fit for his epic scope ($250 million, give or take) and a hard-core 18 rating (R here on the domestic front) with lots of good juicy violence. 20^th Century Fox is on the other end of the debate wanting the opposite of what old Ridley is pushing for – something considerably cheaper and with a PG-13 rating.

A PG-13 Alien movie.

Come on, Fox, I see your resistance of handing an obese-sized blank check to Scott after a recent string of under-performers and you know what, I'm on your side here. That's too much money to blow on something that'll be restrictive to certain paying movie-goers. But at least give the man his R rating in exchange for a tighter-around-the-belt price-tag.

Feels like moot talk anyway. I never really saw this movie happening, and judging by this conflict getting out, this could be a downward sign of things to come for the Alien prequel. And no, I won't whine and slam my keyboard with "FUCK STUUUUUPID FOX!" remarks when the inevitable occurs. A prequel to Scott's '79 classic is a terrible idea – even if the great helmer himself is back behind the camera.

Chris Pine Might Headline Welcome to People

Welcome to People may turn out be a Star Trek reunion of sorts.

Risky Business reports Chris "Captain Kirk" Pine is in "preliminary discussions" to headline the drama written and to-be directed by Alex Kurtzman (who co-wrote/produced the 2009 reboot and will do the same for the June 2012 sequel). Pine would play a man delivering $150,000 to an older sister and nephew he never knew existed beforehand.

No word on where this would fit into his schedule which includes Paramount's Jack Ryan reboot Moscow (last we heard looking at a Spring 2011 start) and, obviously, Trek 2 that's expected to film next summer. Presumably this would go down later, but it's too early to tell at the moment.

Ben Affleck Offered Tales From the Gangster Squad

Ben Affleck has resituated his career in a way few thought possible.

2007's Gone Baby Gone was a welcome slap in the face to the many that went out of their way to piss on his fading star power. It also happened to be the finest film that year that offer. His sophomore effort The Town is showing that first time for Affleck wasn't a fluke. Warner Brothers was so pleased with the results of his sophomore effort the crime drama (at the rate its going will probably break $100 million stateside) they offered him Superman. He declined.

But as Vulture reports, the Brothers Warner have plenty to offer Affleck instead. The studio, their peeps say, have offered him what could be his third directorial projector Tales from the Gangster Squad. The script (penned by former South Central cop-turned-novelist and now television writer Will Beall) chronicles an off-the-book squad of mercenary cops out to bring down L.A. gangster Micky Cohen.

Different, only in that it'd be outside the Boston arena for the first time for Affleck. But it's closer to his alley than Clark Kent & Co. Right now, the man can do whatever he wants. All power to him – he’s earned this position.