Clark Joins 'Chuck'

Actor Brandon Routh is perhaps best known as Superman to most of us here, but starting this season fans of NBC's Chuck will get introduced to Brandon Routh, the spy.

Routh has signed a multiple episode contract to portray the part of Shaw, the mysterious new spy who takes control as the new leader of Operation Bartwoski.

Upon entering the scene, Shaw quickly becomes both a mentor to Chuck (Zachary Levi) and a rival for Sarah's (Yvonne Strahovski) heart. The Shaw story arc starts on the fourth episode of Chuck's upcoming season, which starts in March, 2010.

Brandon Routh has always come across as a genuinely nice guy who has handled himself well through the set backs that he's had to endure and it's good to see his career continue to blossom with Dead Of Night and Chuck.

I, for one, hope Warner Bros. consider bringing him back for the next Superman film.

Michael Bay's A Million Little Aliens

It almost feels like this is Hollywood's way of making it up to James Frey after being ritualistically raped by Ophrah Winfrey in front of hundreds of millions of people. Granted, the douchebag deserved it after the revaltion that his "memoir" A Million Little Pieces (infamously pimped by Winfrey's "Book Club" resulting in quiet the sales-boost) turned out to be 100% Grade-A bullshit.

Oh no. The hack-turned-novelist has a potential book-series on hand. The yet-published I Am Number 4 concerning adolesent aliens who hide amongst human high-schoolers while on the run from...something presumably evil. Whatever.

So who else would be interested in adapting it to the silver screen than Michael Bay, of course. Really, dude? As much as people would like to think otherwise, you are better than this. Now THR reports that Bay has commissioned screenwriters Al Gough and Miles Millar for penning duties.

I'll repeat myself. Really, guys? Sure, you created Smallville (a great or terrible thing depending on taste) and were responsible for garbage like The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. But like Bay, you are better than stooping yourselves to that level

Spielberg To Adapt Crichton's last novel "Pirate Latitudes"

I'm a big fan of Spielberg but to be honest neither Tin Tin or Harvey interest me very much, so it was with great enthusiasm I read about this proposed pirate movie that the mighty beard may be making.

USA Today Reports:

The men who brought dinosaurs back to life in Jurassic Park are teaming up again, though it's a bittersweet reunion since one of them is no longer here.

Steven Spielberg is developing a film out of a posthumously published novel by the late Michael Crichton—Pirate Latitudes, an adventure story set off the coast of Jamaica in 1665.

Screenwriter David Koepp, who adapted Crichton's novels for Jurassic Park and its sequel The Lost World, also has signed on to create the script. Spielberg plans to produce and is considering directing.

DreamWorks Studios describes the novel, set for release Nov. 24, as the story of "a daring plan to infiltrate Port Royal, one of the world's richest and most notorious cities, and raid a Spanish galleon filled with treasure."

"It's a mission movie, and we see it through the prism of what it might have been like to live on the island during that time," says Stacey Snider, Spielberg's partner in DreamWorks and the company's co-chair and CEO.

A Spielberg pirate movie and an adaption of the last book of the late great Michael Crichton? ? Double win in my view. The idea that this will be a swashbuckling adventure but also something of a Pirate "Heist" movie really appeals to me. I'll be picking the book up for sure and here's hoping the wheels of production move quickly on this and roll right over Harvey.

Magneto Prequel Next Year? Sure.

For all the ball-sucking nerds of the Internet give Christopher Nolan for Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, they seem to revel in shitting on David Goyer. They do realize he played a big hand in the writing scheme of things for both films (as well as the eventual third installment), right? Nolan has said so much himself.

In the meantime, Goyer also throws his hat in the directing arena from time-to-time resulting in such classic-clunkers like Blade: Trinity and The Unborn. So what's up with Magneto? You remember, that other X-Men Origins film Goyer is attached to direct.

He gives an "update" to MTV saying that the studio is "still thinking about doing it" and that he's "sure that project will move forward in the next year or so." Not to sound like a dick to Goyer (because I like the guy), but who seriously thinks this is going to happen at this point? Anyone...?

Wolverine was still able to churn out a profit despite being a box-office under-performer and its across-the-board God-awful reception. Hence them still moving forward with a sequel indicated by the hiring of Chris McQuarrie. The other X-Men spin-offs remain in the "We'll think about it" phase. That in itself isn't good (at all) for Magento since it was first announced along side Wolverine a few years back and yet still no movement. That speaks for itself, folks.

Another (Much Better) Look at Avatar

Sure, the sheer awesomeness of Avatar footage didn't cause my hemroids to be cured. But the trailer was decent, and TMT's very own Phil Gee got a better look at things attending the "Avatar Day" screening at his local IMAX.

For those still in the "It looks like a $300 million video game" camp, MarketSaw got some scans taken from this month's issue of Empire Magazine including a first look at Sigourney Weaver in her own Avatar form.

Judging 100% by these new pictures, it looks great - does actually look like Worthington is merely in one of Rick Baker's elaborate makeup designs as opposed to the CG/Motion-Capture effects. The problem is we saw some of these images in motion from the above-mentioned teaser trailer. And yeah it did in fact look like a video game.

Is Hal Jordan Headed to the Big Easy?

The news that Green Lantern might be forced to relocate out of Australia was quiet the shocker for its eagerly awaiting fans. It didn't help matters that there's been silence from the production with the exceptions of the hiring of Ryan Reynolds to yield the power ring as Hal Jordan and 007 alum Martin Campbell sitting in the director's chair. Could this be the beginning of a series of bad-news for the Emerald Knight?

Fear not, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the back-up plan. According to a report from /film (and quickly backed up by CHUD), filming will commence as planned next year for its June 2011 release. And they've already found a capable replacement in the form of New Orleans. Its local film economy has been going through quiet the boom lately with productions including The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Final Destination 4, Dead of Night and The Expendables.

With that said, I'm surprised a deal wasn't struck between the Australian government and Warner Brothers. Like New Orleans, things are going great for the Aussie film industry right now with $100-$200 million productions like John Carter of Mars, the third Narnia film Voyage of the Dawn Treader and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Captain Nemo. However this recent boom comes after quiet the dry-spell. It's never a bad idea to squeeze in as many big productions under your plate as possible.

With that issue resolved, it shouldn't be too terribly long before actors are cast in fill in the other roles. Of course, we at TMT can't help but wait and see just who will play Jordan's main-squeeze Carol Ferris if you'll remember.

Ericson Core to Direct XXX: The Return of Xander Cage

The threequel no one asked for or cared about. Honestly, I've not see either of the first two XXX movies. the first starred Vin Diesel (returning for the third), and Ice Cube in the second. However you can count on Hollywood to milk every franchise until it's bone dry.

Here's what the Hollywood Reporter had to say:

Ericson Core has signed to helm "XXX: The Return of Xander Cage," Columbia's third installment in the action franchise. Neal Moritz and Joe Roth are producing.

Vin Diesel is reprising the role of the extreme sports athlete-turned-government operative he originated in the 2002 movie directed by Rob Cohen. Diesel and Cohen skipped the 2005 sequel, "XXX: State of the Union," which starred Ice Cube and was helmed by Lee Tamahori.

Last year, Diesel and Cohen agreed to reteam for the new installment, but in June, Cohen segued to helm "Medieval" for Regency.

Columbia went on the hunt for a helmer, who also had to get the OK from Diesel. Diesel has worked with Core before, though not under an actor-director relationship; Core, a cinematographer-turned-director, worked as DP on Diesel's 2001 flick "The Fast and the Furious."

John Brancato and Michael Ferris ("Terminator Salvation") wrote the script for "Xander Cage." It involves Cage's return to the National Security Agency after an eight-year absence. Richard Wilkes, who wrote the original movie, did a recent polish.

The studio hopes to move fast, capitalizing on Hollywood brand hunger and Diesel's resurgence as a boxoffice draw, and aims to roll cameras early next year.

Core, repped by Gersh, made his directorial debut with the 2006 football drama "Invincible." He's attached to direct the coming-of-age thriller "Conrail" at New Line and the Touchstone war thriller "Liberty."

"Whip It" Poster and Stills

/Film has gotten hold of the new poster and 3 stills from upcoming Ellen Page starrer "Whip It!" The film marks the directorial debut of Drew Barrymore who also co-stars.

I personally really like the poster, it's colourful Ellen-centricness is a good sell for what looks like an upbeat fun movie with a dollop of heart provided by another star turn from Miss Page.

"Whip It" opens October 2nd and you can check out the poster and stills below.

Inception & Batman III Updates

Did you really think that the "contemporary sci-fi actioner set within the architecture of the mind" description was going to enough for people? Now that the teaser trailer for Inception is out, In Contention reveals plot-details of the still-under-lock-and-key film.

To be fair, there's only one genuine spoiler and we're not talking the original "Marcus Wright becomes John Connor" ending to Terminator: Salvation here. It's more like what gets the plot going, and something that will most-likely be given away come time to promote the film next summer. Everything else is basically character-descriptions and what we've already suspected based on the above-mentioned teaser. So check it out at your own risk.

As for that "other" film he might do next (aka Batman III), Aint-It-Cool-News has received a tip that Nolan might shoot the third installment 100% in IMAX. Granted to do such a thing would be quiet expensive. But I could definitely see there being some truth to this. Such a challenge could be what convinces Nolan to return to Gotham City.

And considering the reported $200+ million they're forking over for Inception, it's clear that Warner Brothers wishes to remain in the Christopher Nolan business.

Green Lantern Might Be Grounded

The thought of another DC related character outside of Superman and Batman flying across the big screen always seemed like a novelty to me. I never felt quite at ease with the notion, but I sure wanted to see it happen. Since "Green Lantern" was first announced, I found myself doubting that I would ever get to enjoy it at the local multi-plex. Even my multiple email correspondences with Green Lantern writer Marc Guggeheim always screamed for reassurance from the scribe. I was never sure. I'm still not.

Its been almost two months since the news broke that Ryan Reynolds had been cast as Green Lantern, since then, we haven't heard much. We were expecting that WB would announce that Carol Ferris had been cast, maybe Sinestro. The only person who has given any real insight into the project has been screenwriter Marc Guggenheim, who has since turned his attention to television to work on Flash Forward. Martin Campbell hasn't uttered a peep since being announced as director of the project, although the most recent draft of the script was said to have been heavily influenced by his ideas.

Today via Production Weekly's Twitter we were finally given some news on "Green Lantern", although it doesn't seem to be all that positive.

"Green Lantern’s proposed Australian shoot is understood to be under threat after the rising Australian dollar has blown out production costs."

It is certainly possible that Warner Bros could lock up a different location to shoot the film. New Zealand, Vancouver, Montreal, or Toronto being the most likely destinations. This could also be the beginning of a string of bad news. I hope the next report will be positive and we don't hear something like Martin Campbell has dropped out and new writers have been brought on board. I really don't feel like being witness to another "Justice League: Mortal".

According to Brendan Swift of Inside Film, Warner Bros is trying to negotiate with the NSW State Government in hopes of receiving a higher level of concessions to make up for the increased value of the Australian Dollar.

The value of the Australian dollar has climbed by more than 16 per cent since the State Labor government announced the deal to film at Fox Studios in mid-April. The big-budget Hollywood blockbuster was expected to create around 500 local jobs, including 100 performers and 200 crew.

Normally a production would lock in finance once said film received the all important green light. However, subsequent drafts of the "Green Lantern" script delayed filming and the ability to lock in said finance.