Catherine Zeta-Jones Goes All "Conservative Villainess" for Rock of Ages

Showing my age here, but it's weird to think back when Catherine Zeta Jones was that fresh-faced unknown on the cover of every damn magazine pimping The Mask of Zorro back in the summer of '98. Between that time and now, she's done a bunch of other flicks (some quite good like Traffic and yes I'll say it The Terminal), won an Oscar, married Michael Douglas, had a couple of young 'uns and hocking for T-Mobile before replacing her with the current spokesperson who is the current object of my lust...

Back to Jones, she's been away from our multi-plexes for awhile and the public started to grow tired of her. The "She's annoying" remarks started flying; don't ask me why but that's what folks were saying. I guess when you're in the public eye for so long it's a matter of time somebody grows tired of you.

In her first high-profile role in a few years now, THR says Jones has joined the cast of Adam Shankman's Rock of Ages, and in a role not from the Broadway musical as the villain:

"If Tipper Gore and Anita Bryant had a love child. She is this hardcore, moral majority, arch-conservative  who wants to shut down rock’n roll in the great city of Los Angeles."

Wonderful, because I was afraid there hadn't been enough films, television shows, etc. that didn't make the "gutsy" move and shit on conservatives. To be fair though, Anita Bryant is crazy. Then again, so is Tipper Gore...

You Shouldn't Be Surprised: Lindsay Lohan Off Gotti Biopic

UPDATE: Plot twist! It looks like LiLo is back on Gotti: Three Generations says Variety. Until she's not (again) that will occur in another couple of days if not hours.

You see, kids? Old Unc knew what he was talking about. For once and probably never again.

Yesterday I remarked it was inevitable Lindsay Lohan wouldn't be sticking around for Gotti: Three Generations. Cut to this hot afternoon, and People confirms what truthfully everyone knew was going to go down for the biopic: no more LiLo.

Producer Marc Fiore skirted around the issue of what specifically caused talks to cease:

"She a wonderful person. Her legal case has nothing to do with it. We just couldn't reach terms."

At least this frees her up for The Man of Steel now, right?

X-Men: First Class Trailer Goes from Russian to English - Whatever

My pal Rob Keyes tells me this is the English-language version of that Russian trailer from a month or so back. That would explain why this "latest" X-Men: First Class trailer looks like I've seen it before. Because I have! Remember because Hey! U Guys first spotted it.

But no, this one is totally different. It has a couple of extra seconds of muttie-action. Enjoy?

Superman's Fortress Of Solitude Breaks Ground In Vancouver

What's any hero without their secret hideout? It's a place to reflect on their latest act of kindness and come up with a plan to fend of villains such as Lex Luthor or the Joker. The hideouts can sometimes be just as important as their alternate egos. Batman has the Batcave and Superman has his Fortress of Solitude.

The Fortress has been portrayed in a number of ways in different levels of media, including a South American Fortress, a fortress in the center of the sun, and a fortress under the sea.  The most well known version is the giant palace of ice located in the Arctic. Of course "Superman: The Movie" and it's sequels including "Superman Returns" brought this giant house of ice into the eyes of the public.

I don't know which version The Brothers Warner are going to go with, but apparently Zack Snyder wants to bring back The Fortress for Cavill to "chill" in. Patrick Sauriol of Corona Coming Attractions has tweeted that they are constructing The Fortress almost in his back yard. Well, if his backyard was inside a sound stage.

Looks like Superman is still going to spend some time talking to his biological father going over the ups and downs of having such great power. I hope their is no silver mylar bed or a giant key to go along with it.

Writer You’ve Never Heard of Before Rewriting Ouija

Screenwriter Evan Spiliotopoulos (whose biggest credit outside of direct-to-video animated fare for Disney is the not-gonna-happen sequel to Wanted) is onboard for Ouija, reports Variety.

He's on rewrite patrol for the fantasy adventure from Universal and Platinum Dunes (Oh boy...) and McG as the director if you'll remember from a few months back (Oh boy, again...) So far, it appears they're sticking to their planned November 9, 2012 release.

I will say for all the shit Universal's been getting for jumping on the "Hasbro movie adaptation" bandwagon (Stretch Armstrong in 3D starring Taylor Lautner? Battleship with aliens?) Ouija sounds like the one that could legitimately work. Even despite McG at the helm. Honest.

Daniel Radcliffe Wants You to Cry, Dammit!

MTV managed to pry themselves away from the Jersey Shore and the teen moms for a few minutes this weekend to interview Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe on the roof of their Times Square studio to discuss the final Potter film and the actor's transition from the world's most famous wizard to a Broadway song and dance man in the hit revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

Aside from once again proving how freakishly level-headed he is for a 21-year-old, Radcliffe expressed pure delight upon hearing that fans at a recent test screening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 were moved to tears by the film's finale: 

He certainly makes a good point.  And I already know I'm going to a mess by the end of the movie.

Also, the folks at ComingSoon have some excellent new photos from Deathly Hallows Part 2 available for your viewing pleasure, including the ones below:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 opens in theaters on July 15.  Don't forget to cry.

'Mortal Kombat: Legacy' - Episode 2

The second episode of director Kevin Tancharoen's Mortal Kombat: Legacy has been released online. 

While I'll admit I was a bit letdown by the first episode compared to last year's short film, Mortal Kombat: Rebirth, this one definitely is an improvement.  Plus you gotta remember, this is a nine-part series, they ain't gonna throw all their eggs into one basket. 

Anyway, next week's episode should focus on another character from the Mortal Kombat universe, possibly Scorpion or Sub-Zero, as we've been given images of them over the past few weeks.  Funny though that nothing has been reported on Liu Kang or Shang Tsung.

Maybe they're saving the best for last.

Vin Diesel Still Talking XXX 3 – Might Have to “Settle” for Terminator 5?

It's that special time, children. When Vin Diesel has a new movie about to open and he yaps on about one of three films: Hannibal the Conqueror, Riddick 3 and XXX 3: The Return of Xander Cage.

At this juncture in his career, I don't think any of 'em are going to happen personally. But you never know how badly Universal will find a way to please his royal Dieselness to return for The Fast & the Furious 6 (and they lose even more letters from the original to title the next one – Fast/Furious, F&F 6, etc.) beyond a paycheck.

Movie Hole apprehended Diesel at the Fast Five junket and he insists it's still happening. Even though last update we got Rob Cohen, cheese-baron director having worked with him on The Fast & the Furious and XXX, was returning, and that was quite a ways back. We'll see, although I'm still not going to hold my breath.

And while we're on the subject, our pal Clint also reports Diesel's name is being thrown around for Terminator 5 – the same sequel set up at Universal with Fast alum Justin Lin eyed to direct. When asked directed about a possible Arnie/Diesel face-off (Since McG and Christian Bale will be known as "those who shall not be named"), the answer was a classically non-committal/non-answer:

"You never know."

All due respect to Lin and Diesel, but haven't audiences voted enough times with their wallets that they've had enough with Terminator?

So THAT’S Who Levitt & Cotillard Are Playing in The Dark Knight Rises

Well, that puts to bed whether or not Marion Cotillard was joining The Dark Knight Rises. It would also appear EW was dead-on despite how shady their "NU-UH!" report came off initially. But when you're right, you're right. So props to them.

Gotta say though, I'm with El Mayimbe, John Bierly and Variety on this. I feel like Nolan & Co. are still dicking with us. Here's the press release

"BURBANK, CA. April 19, 2011 - Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that Oscar^® winner Marion Cotillard ('La Vie en Rose') and Joseph Gordon-Levitt have joined the cast of 'The Dark Knight Rises,' the epic conclusion to the Dark Knight legend.

Cotillard will appear as Miranda Tate, a Wayne Enterprises board member eager to help a still-grieving Bruce Wayne resume his father's philanthropic endeavors for Gotham.

Gordon-Levitt will play John Blake, a Gotham City beat cop assigned to special duty under the command of Commissioner Gordon.

The film reunites the actors with Christopher Nolan, who recently directed them in the award-winning blockbuster 'Inception.'

The director stated, 'When you collaborate with people as talented as Marion and Joe, it comes as no surprise that you would want to repeat the experience. I immediately thought of them for the roles of Miranda and Blake, and I am looking forward to working with both of them again.'

Heading the cast of 'The Dark Knight Rises,' Christian Bale stars as Bruce Wayne/Batman. The main cast also includes Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle and Tom Hardy as Bane.

Nolan will direct the film from a screenplay he wrote with Jonathan Nolan, from a story by Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer. Christopher Nolan will also produce the film with his longtime producing partner, Emma Thomas, and Charles Roven.

'The Dark Knight Rises' is slated for release on July 20, 2012. The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company."

Now please let me finish my Chicken Pot Pie, will ya?

Chris Klein Gets Works - Returning for American Reunion

Could have sworn we already got confirmation of this.

To be fair, I probably just lumped in all the out-of-work American Pie actors into one group. One or two of them might have gotten a side-job at some L.A. coffee-shop or something.

People says Chris Klein (who may very well be the greatest actor of his generation single-handedly based on his Mamma Mia! "audition") is set to return for American Reunion.

Hmm, I feel a disturbance in the Force. I sense...Klein will also be in G.I. Joe 2: Cobra Strikes. That and next season on Dancing with the Stars.

OK, I kid around. But God remember when all these actors were the shit?