Update: Josh Hutcherson IS Spider-Man - Depending On Who You Ask!

UPDATE: Not surprisingly, there's been some conflicting info on this puppy. Thankfully, it's not in the bullshit "Nu-uh!" fashion. No, professionals are doing their homework and checking with their own source(s).

CHUD is hearing from their moles Josh Hutcherson "has not yet been offered the part." Not that it's out of the question, but "there is no solid casting of Hutcherson" as of yesterday morning. Further rumors they're hearing peg the young actor to follow in the footsteps on a different Marvel superhero in need of recasting – that of Scott Summers/Cyclops in Matthew Vaughn's X-Men: First Class.

On the other end of the spectrum, Entertainment Weekly reached Sony for comment to no avail. Their internal peeps, on the other hand, say Hutcherson is "the guy for the job." To be fair, they were the first ones to report on Marc Webb being in contention to helm the reboot days before others claiming so themselves. Like I said, we'd heard the kid had the role locked a couple of months ago. But this whole matter is causing nothing but headaches (or explosions) among us nerds.

So I fully expect to hear yet another actor in the running before all of this is said and done. Maybe Sony will come out and officially unveil the new web-slinger at Comic-Con in a few weeks like some have speculated?

As of late, Josh Hutcherson (while making the press-rounds for The Kids Are All Right) publicly acknowledged his candidacy as the new Spider-Man for the Marc Webb-helmed reboot. Nine times out of ten when an actor openly admits to being up for an as-yet-cast role, it translates to "I didn't get it."

Not unlike our pal George "El Guapo" Roush of Latino Review, word reached us Sony had settled on the young actor as the newly teenaged web-slinger. But there were definitely signs of trouble when Warner Brothers came out and announced they were fast-tracking a Journey to the Center of the Earth sequel for September 2011 release with production set to start this fall. It certainly looked like Hutcherson had been contractually cock-blocked from the role. But that doesn’t appear to be the case.

As Blue Sky Disney exclusively reports:

"Your friendly, rebooted Spider-Man in the flesh. Word from my Bothans is that Sony has settled on "Journey to the Center of the Earth's" Josh Hutcherson as the newly, high school bound Peter Parker. After several extensive test shoots were performed, Marc Webb and the top Sony $uits decided that Hutcherson was the right fit for the role and an offer was made and has been accepted. Now I wonder who'll be cast as the Lizard?"

I know plenty will bitch and moan about Josh because he doesn't 100% look the part already. Let the history books show, Christopher Reeve didn't look a thing like Superman back in 1977. But talent won out and he was simply made to look the part (i.e. getting into shape and that famous picture of director Richard Donner literally taking shoe-polish to dye his hair black for a screen-test).

This is the first re-assuring sign for a film (and franchise, no less) in trouble ever since the controversial cancelling of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 4 and the almost-instantaneous reboot announcement.

Cast Of "Scream 4" Screaming For Help

Seems like a lot of these actors on the set of "Scream 4" are getting stabbed in the back. A couple weeks ago we heard that Lake Bell had exited the project due to scheduling conflicts. She was set to play a deputy that went to school with Neve Campbells character. That role will now be played by Marley Shelton according to Heat Vision. The website also reports that OC's Adam Brody has joined the cast as an officer fresh out of college. We know why Brody is here, to add some comic relief along with actor Erik Knudsen, who will be playing a character similar to Randy's. I'm confused, wasn't it reported that Hayden Panettiere was playing the film geek?

Ghouls on Film is reporting that there has been multiple script changes and that Lauren Graham of "Parenthood" and "Gilmore Girls" fame has now exited the project pointing to said changes as one of the reasons. The script changes are also getting to a lot of the cast members, making for an uneasy set.  Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox Arquette, David Arquette, Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere, Rory Culkin, Nico Tortorella, Anthony Anderson and Marielle Jaffe are all stationed in Michigan as Wes Craven is now lensing the project based on the Kevin Williamson script. Which draft? Nobody knows.

What Heat Vision Is Saying:

To preserve the identity of the killer, Craven and Williamson are operating under several layers of secrecy, including not sending the script to agencies. At a table read last week, the actors were told to stop reading at page 75 to prevent even those already cast in the film from knowing the climax.

International trailer "Let Me In"

Overture films has released an international trailer for the vampire remake Let Me In with Chloe Moretz playing the nice little Vampire girl from across the street. This certainly looks a lot better then the original Swedish version, but I have to admit my opinion is biased. I hate to read subtitles, I'm just too lazy.

Based on the John Ajvide Lindqvist novel "Let the Right One In" and the Swedish film adaptation of the same name, Let Me In tells a terrifying tale about an alienated 12-year old boy named Owen (Smit-McPhee) who is viciously bullied by his classmates and neglected by his divorcing parents. Achingly lonely, Owen spends his days plotting revenge on his middle school tormentors and his evenings spying on the other inhabitants of his apartment complex. His only friend is his new neighbor Abby (Moretz), an eerily self-possessed young girl who lives next door with her silent father (Jenkins). A frail, troubled child about Owen's age, Abby emerges from her heavily curtained apartment only at night and always barefoot, seemingly immune to the bitter winter elements. Recognizing a fellow outcast, Owen opens up to her and before long, the two have formed a unique bond.



First Look: "Burlesque"

The red, white, and blue, journalists over at USA Today have published first look photos from  "Burlesque". Check out a couple of them below and head over to the link above for the rest. Steve Antin's November 24th release stars Cher, Christina Aguilera, Eric Dane, Cam Gigandet, Julliane Hough , Peter Gallagher, Alan Cumming, Kristen Bell and Stanley Tucci

They had me at Christina Aguilera. She sings like a champ, is pleasing to the eye, and the girl actually has some acting chops. You combine that with the awesome eyebrows and character acting of Peter Gallagher and I'm sold. Not to mention Stanley Tucci will be in it.

Ali (Aguilera) is a small-town girl with a big voice who escapes hardship and an uncertain future to follow her dreams to LA. After stumbling upon The Burlesque Lounge, a majestic but ailing theater that is home to an inspired musical revue, Ali lands a job as a cocktail waitress from Tess (Cher), the club's proprietor and headliner. Burlesque's outrageous costumes and bold choreography enrapture the young ingenue, who vows to perform there one day.

Soon enough, Ali builds a friendship with a featured dancer (Hough), finds an enemy in a troubled, jealous performer (Bell), and garners the affection of Jack (Gigandet), a bartender and fellow muscician With the help of a sharp-witted stage manager (Tucci) and gender-bending host (Cumming), Ali makes her way from the bar to the stage. Her spectacular voice restores The Burlesque Lounge to its former glory, though not before a charismatic entrepreneur (Dane) arrives with an enticing proposal.

Behold! New "Megamind" Poster

The men in tights at SuperHeroHype have dropped their exclusive first look at the new poster for DreamWorks' "Megamind". You can enjoy the heroics of Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, Tina Fey and Jonah Hill on November 5th in theaters and Imax on November 5th. 

"Megamind" a diabolically funny, and satirical take on the superhero genre. We follow the story of Megamind, the most brilliant supervillain the world has ever known – and the least successful. Over the years, he has tried to conquer Metro City in every imaginable way. Each attempt, a colossal failure thanks to the caped superhero known as "Metro Man." The super hero movie as know it will never be the same again.

New Trailer 'Charlie St Cloud'

That charming bastard Zac Efron is back with another trailer for his new movie Charlie St. Cloud. Which I have to admit looks surprisingly really good. I haven't been a huge fan of his in the past, but if this turns out as good as it looks he may just win me over.

"Charlie St. Cloud" is based off the novel by Ben Sherwood, written for the screen by Craig Pearce and Lewis Colick. The feature includes the talents of Kim Basinger, Donal Logue and Ray Liotta. If you're looking forward to this, you can see the film on the big screen this July 30th. 

Also if you're a die hard Efron fan you can follow the film on Facebook or it's official website.

New Tv Spot "Expendables"

Lionsgate has released a new 60-second TV spot for Sylvester Stallone's The Expendables.

Opening on August 13th, the action thriller extravaganza stars Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Eric Roberts, Randy Couture, Steve Austin, David Zayas, Giselle Itie, Charisma Carpenter, Gary Daniels, Terry Crews, Mickey Rourke. It features cameos by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis.

If the list of cast member doesn't have you excited already you're broken!

A little bit of new footage mixed in with some guns and roses which felt completely out of place for this trailer. Regardless, this still look all kinds of awesome! I don't need a little thing like story or plot getting in the way of my 80's style action, and no one knows this better than the man himself Stallone!

5inal Destination... Yeah

 In what is surely a stroke of genius from the studio's, Bloody Disguisting has uncovered what looks like the next installment of the gory franchise that is Final Destination will be called 5inal Destination. The site also reports what the opening sequence of death entails which will guarantee heavy pre-order button clicking action.

The third movie was wearing out its welcome while the fourth was just a bit of nonsense and now our local theatres will be graced with another 3D mayhem fest that is sure to be as pointless as the last two. This follows the recently announced SCRE4M and maybe more horror films will follow.

I've lost count with the Saw seires but if it hasn't reached seven yet don't be too surprised if we see 7AW!

Ip Man 2: Legend Of The Grand Master Finds A Distributor

Well Go USA has selected Variance Films as its North American theatrical distributor for Ip Man 2: Legend of the Grandmaster, in addition to future high-profiled Asian acquisitions.

“With Well Go USA, we have finally found a partner that’s dedicated to releasing the best of Asian cinema while keeping the original vision of the film intact.  With a cast of Hong Kong superstars — the most amazing martial arts I’ve seen on screen in years, and a wonderful story, Ip Man 2: Legend of the Grandmaster is the perfect film to start our partnership with”, said Variance Films President, Dylan Marchetti.

Ip Man 2: Legend of the Grandmaster is a stand-alone companion to the vastly successful Ip Man (of which no knowledge is required).  Ip Man 2: Legend of the Grandmaster, starring Hong Kong’s biggest action stars, Donnie Yen (Ip Man, Hero, Legend of the Fist), Sammo Hung (pretty much every great martial arts film ever made), and director Wilson Yip (Ip Man, Dragon Tiger Gate), will release theatrically across the United States in February 2011. 

“I have a true passion for Asian cinema; something that was undoubtedly passed down from my father, Chi Ho Hsi, who won several Golden Horse awards for cinematography.  To have a part in bringing such a spectacular and beloved Asian film to the US is extremely gratifying”, said Well Go USA CEO, Annie Walker. 

Escaping CGI, MTV-style editing, and blasting techno music for a return to skilled performers, ace choreography, and top-notch production values, the Ip Man films have ushered in a new era of Hong Kong filmmaking.  Ip Man 2: Legend of the Grandmaster is currently burning up the Asian box office charts (out-grossing Iron Man 2, Sex and the City 2, and Robin Hood combined in Hong Kong).  Its theatrical release will remain in its original incarnation — uncut and un-dubbed, as the filmmakers originally intended.  Its home entertainment release (DVD, Blu-ray, and VOD) is slated for Spring 2011.

In Ip Man 2: Legend of the Grandmaster, Master Ip Man (Yen) is a new arrival in Hong Kong, and is struggling to open a martial arts school.  Master Ip teaches a style of kung-fu known as Wing Chun from Northern China, which is initially ridiculed by the Hong Kong schools and their respective masters - especially Master Hung (Sammo Hung), the crooked leader of a cabal of masters who won’t allow Master Ip to teach until he proves himself and his kung-fu — which he does, in one of the most amazing fight sequences ever committed to film (we won’t give it away, but it involves a teahouse, a rickety table, and a highly-anticipated fight scene between Yen and Hung).  Once Master Ip can earn the respect of the local masters, there’s still the matter of the corrupt British government and their desire to diminish the culture of Chinese martial arts in favor of traditional boxing.

"Eclipse" Beats Midnight Record

No surprises here:  The Twlight Saga: Eclipse broke box office records before the sun rose on its opening day by earning $30 million just from midnight screenings alone, according to Box Office Mojo. 

This eclipses (haha...although honestly, that lame joke was wittier than anything you'll find in a Twilight novel) the previous record set by, you guessed it, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, which earned $26.4 million at its own midnight screenings a mere seven months ago.

Eclipse also set a new record by earning $1 million at IMAX theaters, just barely passing Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen's $959,000 midnight debut last year.

And if that wasn't enough, many theaters kicked off the film's opening by also showing Twilight and New Moon last night to Twilight-adoring audiences before the new film's premiere.  That double-feature added $2.4 million to their respective grosses.

So as predicted (and rather depressingly), the new Twilight movie is huge.  Although how it will hold up through the weekend is yet to be seen.  The previous films rocketed back to earth quickly after stellar opening weekends, and thanks to the Wednesday opening, it's possible the heart of its fanbase will have already seen the movie by the time the weekend gets here - although I'm guessing many Twi-hards will be on their way to see it again by then too.

But I'll be skipping this.  Someone wake me up when Inception opens.