Ashton Kutcher Might Return for Valentine's Day Sequel

Audiences chose pretty-faced twenty/thirty-somethings getting all lovey-dovey instead of Benicio del Toro howling at the moon and sniffing Emily Blunt’s crotch. Couples went to see a movie called Valentine's Day on that very weekend? Fuck you, rocket science!

Not surprisingly, Warner Brothers starting chanting "Sequel! Sequel! Sequel!" when those big numbers came in that weekend and Valentine's Day is getting a follow-up film New Year's Eve.

One of its (many) stars Ashton Kutcher confirms to Movie Hole he might show back up for the next one:

"They've talked to me about it. But I haven't read the script yet... It's script dependent".

Granted, there’s awhile to go before cameras get rolling – again under Garry Marshall's direction. This won’t hit until December 30, 2011.

Yet Another Riddler/Batman 3 Rumor Surfaces

Certain rumors refuse to die. It doesn't matter if the claims have even a morsel of truth or are 100% Grade-A Internet bullshit. Some would rather die than give up on said rumor. It’s sad, really.

Here we have yet another "The Riddler will be the big baddie in Batman 3" story circulating the world-wide-web. This latest one comes courtesy of First Showing. Basically a source tells them the newest casting grid (i.e. industry documents giving the latest updates on productions, uncast roles in need of filling, etc.) says the question-prone villain is listed as a character in Christopher Nolan's third Batman installment.

It furthermore lists Joseph Gordon-Levitt (now an associate of Team Nolan with his co-starring role in current box-office champ Inception) as being "interested." He's no stranger to Batman 3 fodder, having been constantly suggested in threads, comment-sections, comic-book shops, parents’ basements, etc. as either a Joker replacement for the late Heath Ledger or Edward Nigma.

Assuming any of this is true; my guess is the Riddler would be one piece in a puzzle of antagonists not unlike how Nolan did Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. Either way (I'm leaning towards it being bullshit personally), it shouldn't be too terribly much longer until Warner Brothers/Legendary Pictures release more details on the next one including a title and official confirmation on Nolan directing.

Comic-Con Posters for Thor & Captain America!

Let's hope the final products look equally (if not more so) epic as these. Granted, we're talking about concept art. How often does the actual movie look better then that?

Yahoo! Movies has a "First Look" at these Comic-Con posters for Captain America and Thor.

If you happen to be attending this week, you better get your hands on these cool looking li'l bastards ASAP. No doubt, they'll have sold out of these in minutes. Something tells me Phil is drooling at these as we speak.

Larry Charles Directing Jim Carrey Comedy Pierre Pierre

Legendary Seinfeld alum Larry Charles (also responsible for directing Borat and Bruno) will try to "bring back the funny" for Jim Carrey.

Anyone remember the last time audiences found his shtick amusing? I guess, Bruce Almighty, and that was seven (!?) years back. My five-old-niece has no idea who he is, and I remember a time when every kid alive was imitating his Dumb & Dumber (and to a lesser degree Ace Ventura) routine*.

"TOLDJA" says Charles will direct Pierre Pierre for Carrey who will play a wacky Frenchman (Aren't they all onscreen?) transporting a stolen painting from Paris to London. Along the way, he'll in all probability run into equally, if not more so, over-the-top characters, an antagonist changing him, and how about a love interest for him too?

If it weren't for Charles, my interest in this would be non-existent. Then again, this was originally set up two years ago with Jason Reitman. Perhaps this is chuckle-heavy.

*Yes, I was one of them.

Sam Raimi Attached to Direct Earp: Saints for Sinners

Sam Raimi will be spending the next year prepping his next Disney's Oz, the Great and Powerful and continuing the writing process on Warcraft. But that isn’t going to stop him from lining up work down-the-line.

Heat Vision says Raimi is attached to direct Earp: Saints for Sinners for DreamWorks:

"The film and graphic novel re-imagines Earp — best known for the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, where he fought alongside his two brothers and compadre Doc Holliday — set in a future in which he takes on outlaws in a ravaged society where the only boomtown left is Las Vegas."

He's no stranger to the Western genre with The Quick & the Dead. Needless to say this isn't a repeat of that under-rated romp. When this would get going is anyone's guess.

Honestly it sounds like something he'll end up not doing or just stay onboard as a producer. Personally, I'd love to see Raimi return for a smaller character-study like A Simple Plan or The Gift.

Taylor Lautner Was Looked At For X-Men: First Class

Wait, that was true?

The story originated from disgraced ex-Fox employee Roger Friedman who's been on-the-money with X-Men: First Class as of late. So I shouldn’t have doubted it.

Producer (and originally-intended director) Bryan Singer confirmed to Blastr the Twilight star was being eyed for a role in the soon-to-be-lensing prequel:

"I wanted Taylor [Lautner] to do it, I really did. He's doing a movie in Pittsburgh called Abduction and then he's got the next Twilight movie. We talked about it a lot, he is a friend, and I really wanted to make it work. It just doesn't look like it's possible to do it."

Lautner's been the only of the three Twilight leads to continue with studio fare outside that franchise. But him being in an X-Men movie? Doesn't strike me as the best idea to get a "flavor of the month" like him involved.

Either way, that's the least of First Class' problems. I think creatively it might surprise. Commercially speaking, it's an uphill battle after the last two X-Mens (The Last Stand and Wolverine) burned the general populous and fandom alike. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if it was the only solid comic-book movie next summer.

Jordana Brewster Returning for Fast Five

The good folks of Movie Hole have an update on Fast Five.

Their source(s)' confirm Jordana Brewster is returning as li'l sister to Vin Diesel's Dom and life-mate for Paul Walker's Brian. She apparently is the central character (along with Walker) in the "big opening number." Hopefully she doesn't meet the same fate as Michelle Rodriguez from the last one.

Additionally, they have some details on two of the newer characters – the heavy played by Joaquim de Almeida and new love interest for Diesel played by Elsa Pataky. Check out the link above for further details.

The more I think about it, the weaker summer 2011 is looking. Maybe it's just me, but it's full of tiresome sequels (Pirates 4), questionable prequels (X-Men: First Class) and uncertain comic-properties (Captain America and Thor). Fast Five could wind up being one of the bigger hits next summer. Hey, it's a popular franchise and Universal is smart to play to their strengths, namely the return of Diesel and Walker.

Simon Pegg In Talks To Return for Mission: Impossible IV

If this works out, Ving Rhames won't be the only returning supporting player to the Mission: Impossible franchise – speaking of which no word at this time where he stands.

Heat Vision reports Simon Pegg is in talks to reprise his comic-relief role of Benji Dunn for Mission: Impossible IV.

This would make it Pegg's third collaboration with director/producer J.J. Abrams if this pans out, which in all likely hood it will. He also played Scotty in Abrams' Star Trek (a role general movie-goers will forever know him for) and will return for its sequel. That, of course, will make it his and Abrams’ fourth effort then.

Two-time Oscar-winning Pixar alum Brad Bird will make his live-action directorial debut on the latest installment. While no greenlight has been given, production is looking to get going by September.

Gotta love how people tend to re-write history, especially on that last M:I movie. Although the strongest in the series by far, it was a commercial under-performer, thanks to Tom Cruise's ever-growing PR circus. The way you hear people talk about it now, it was a huge cash-cow that everyone loved. I remember trying to talk some buddies of mine to catch the midnight opening that they refused. "I fucking hate Tom Cruise!" was the common answer given.

Seth Grahame-Smith Writing Dark Shadows

Something tells me even if Alice in Wonderland didn't break $1 billion, we'd still be getting Dark Shadows. Yes, because Tim Burton and Johnny Depp haven’t done enough movies together. At least in Depp’s defense, he doesn't isolate himself solely with his eternal BFF (They're even Godparents to one another's children – which is admittedly sweet to hear. Not to mention them Christmas shopping together. "Aw, they aren’t 'fake buddies,' but the real kind!")

Production on the 60s horror-themed soap-opera is expected to start this January. "TOLDJA" says Seth Grahame-Smith has joined the production as the newest writer. It sounds like the word from past Burton collaborator John August is being thrown out and they're looking for a fresh perspective.

Smith's two novels Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies have already caught the attention of Hollywood - namely Burton who is producing the film version of Lincoln. So we know where he got the idea to get Smith aboard.

Brett Ratner In Talks To Direct Hercules

Forgive me for not mustering much interest in Brett Ratner.

Not a strike against him, I actually like the guy and he’s made some good movies. But him being "in talks" or "attached" to direct something at this point feels like a fruitless endeavor. Reminds me of Quentin Tarantino who will talk up a storm about one particular project, get everyone excited and then lose interest and move on.

As per the Los Angeles Times, the latest project Ratner is in discussions to helm is a live-action Hercules movie under Millennium/Nu Image Films. That’s same studio responsible for Conan which Ratner was supposed to direct, but that fell apart.

This joins a long-line of projects he's had his name on including Beverly Hills Cop IV, the afore-mentioned Conan reboot, Youngblood, a Hugh Hefner biopic, Tower Heist and countless others. Then there's his attempt at landing The Hobbit – did he seriously think Warner Brothers would say "Yes?"

No offense, Brett. But when I see you on set on the first day of filming, then and there I'll believe you’re directing this movie.