Theron Set for Ridley Scott's Prometheus

Prometheus, which not very long ago was Ridley Scott's Alien prequel, now has a star to anchor its cast: Charlize Theron has signed on to the 20th Century Fox film.

Variety has the news, confirming longstanding rumors that the Aeon Flux actress was up for the gig. Yes, we just cited the Aeon Flux movie! 

The actress joins the previously announced Noomi Rapace (the original Girl With the Dragon Tattoo) and Michael Fassbender (Magneto in the upcoming X-Men: First Class). Previous reports indicate that Theron will be playing a character called Vickers, Rapace is heading up the cast as the main female protagonist Elizabeth Shaw and Fassbender will take on the role of an android.

Prometheus began life as a prequel to Scott's Alien, but he and writer Damon Lindelof (Lost) ultimately took the project in a new direction. 

Roger Deakins May Shoot Bond 23

James Bond's newest movie has Oscar-winner Sam Mendes directing, and it might be getting a potential Oscar-winner as its cinematographer.

Roger Deakins, who recently DP'd The Coen Brothers' True Grit, is this close to signing on to Bond 23.

Collider.com recently interviewed Deakins and, when asked what his next project will be, Deakins hinted that he'll "probably do a film with Sam Mendes next." When Collider asked if that meant he was shooting Bond 23, he said, "it might, yeah." *Does happy dance, fires pistols into the air*

Deakins, who has worked with the Coen Brothers on several films, is nominated for an Oscar this year for his work on 2010's Grit. Deakins is best known for his outstanding photography in such films as The Shawshank Redemption and No Country For Old Men.

The best looking Bond movie ever hits theatres November 9, 2012.  

Ryan Gosling Cast in Logan's Run Remake

Via Deadline today, we're hearing that the long-rumored Logan's Run remake is finally getting some momentum, with Ryan Gosling attached to star and Nicolas Winding Refn attached as director. The previously worked together on the upcoming action film Drive, due this fall, so the partnership makes sense. 

For those who don't remember, the 1976 movie (based on the book by William F. Nolan and George Clayton Johnson) is set in a future in which society has moved underground and all those who reach the age of 30 must submit to a deadly ritual called "carousel." Gosling (who just turned 30 himself) will play Logan 5, a "Sandman" whose job is to catch the geezers who try to escape their fate. That is, until he is forced to become a runner himself.

Silver Pictures' Joel Silver and Andrew Rona are producing with Weed Road's Akiva Goldsman, with Kerry Foster exec producing. According to Deadline, production starts in the fall. 

Shane Black's Iron Man 3?

Oh it's good to be a geek: Shane Black is in the running to write and direct Iron Man 3 for Marvel Studios.

The Hollywood Reporter has the story, which reports that the writer of Lethal Weapon has met with Marvel execs to discuss his take on the third movie in Tony Stark's franchise.

The Reporter notes that "Black's involvement is far from a sure thing," and that other filmmakers are under consideration. The director of the previous two movies, Jon Favreau, left the franchise in 2010.

If Black has any "inside track" with the property, it's that he has worked with the film's star, Robert Downey, Jr. before, on Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, which Black also wrote and directed. (Downey's contract gives him approval on who can direct the film.) 

Black, who made his career writing big-payday action movies like 1987's Lethal Weapon and 1996's The Long Kiss Goodnight (which starred Nick Fury himself, Samuel L. Jackson!), is having a career resurgence of late. He was recently tapped to adapt the manga Death Note for Warner Bros., and work on Sony's Doc Savage movie.

Little is known about Iron Man 3, other than it stars Downey Jr. and will be released May 3, 2013. 

Shawn Levy Takes a Fantastic Voyage

Coolio is not the only one about to ride on a Fantastic Voyage, as 20th Century Fox has finally got their man to helm the brand new James Cameron production that has been gaining buzz despite the challenge of a whopping budget.

Shawn Levy has been tapped to take the role of director for the remake, giving the feature what could be a light-hearted tone, given Levy's experience with his hit Night at the Museum movies and the Steve Martin family comedy Cheaper by the Dozen. Fantastic Voyage will be yet another 3D feature.

Deadline has the scoop about the film, which is a new take on an old favorite, where a crack team of scientists decide to take the plunge into a dear colleague's body to save his life.

Levy replaces Bourne director Paul Greengrass, who was briefly attached to the film.

Captain America Poster Debuts

The first one-sheet for Captain America: The First Avenger has debuted online, courtesy of Marvel and Paramount. And it's pretty sweet nod to Ed Brubaker's work.

Fittingly, Marvel.com premiered the Cap poster, which is a huge nod to a Brubaker comic book cover. Here's a taste of the one-sheet, which is exclusive to Marvel right now.

The first trailer will be shown at the Super Bowl.

Ralph Fiennes Rumored for James Bond 23

Ralph Fiennes is reportedly under consideration for a "darkly complex" role in Bond 23, one that is said to be different from the villain role that Javier Bardem has been offered.

Granted, the story comes from a British paper, The Daily Mail, but what they have to say is quite intriguing:

"Fiennes is not interested in the usual run-of-the-mill action picture, but he was intrigued when he was told of [director Sam] Mendes's 'revolutionary' plans for Bond 23. 'It's the first of a new generation of Bond films, and the ideas Mendes has push the film into darker territory where the characters are modern, mature and challenging,' a film executive in Los Angeles connected to the production told me. At the moment, the situation with Fiennes is purely at the discussion stage." (It should be noted that Fiennes and Mendes are old friends from the British theater scene.)

Ironically, Ralph Fiennes played secret agent John Steed in the big screen version of the TV classic The Avengers, opposite original 007 Sean Connery. Fiennes himself was long rumored to be up for the 007 role himself back in the day.

Bond 23 will see Daniel Craig back as 007 and Judi Dench as M.