The Wolverine Will Go On Without Aronofsky

The show must go on for The Wolverine.

Hugh Jackman spoke with Entertainment Weekly at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, where he reaffirmed his commitment to making the Marvel spin-off/prequel sequel despite the recent departure of director Darren Aronofsky due to personal issues.

"So now we're out looking for a director," said Jackman. "We were pretty much ready to go. The script is fantastic — the best we've ever had, which is why it attracted Darren in the first place. His personal situation precludes him from doing it now, and I feel for him. But now we need to find a director."

Jackman vowed that he and the studio are "not going to settle. We're going to find a director as good as Darren, if not better. Well, as good." He stressed that everyone remains committed to making the movie happen ... someday.

Jack Ryan Reboot Delayed. Star Trek Sequel Warp Speed Ahead.

Paramount Pictures has opted to push back its plans to shoot Moscow, the big screen relaunch of its Jack Ryan franchise set to star Chris Pine as the Tom Clancy creation, in favor of putting Star Trek 2, also starring Pine, on the fast track for a fall shoot.

Citing script delays on the Jack Ryan reboot -- which saw its screenwriter, Steven Zaillian, back out in the last few weeks -- Deadline reports that the Trek sequel will begin filming this fall in order to make its previously announced June 29, 2012 release date. That's a breakneck schedule worthy of X-Men: First Class!

The site adds that Paramount is still waiting for J.J. Abrams to decide whether or not he'll return to direct Trek 2.

As for Jack Ryan's return, Deadline says the "launching point of the film is one that gets a mention in Clancy's The Hunt for Red October, in the book and the original film that starred Alec Baldwin. It has to do with a terrifying helicopter crash that nearly killed Ryan when he was a 23-year old platoon leader in the US Marines. He was the only member of the platoon to survive. Insiders tell me that an okay version of Ryan could have been put into production this year, but the priority is more about launching a new franchise then filling a release slot."

Justice League Movie is Now Happening

Warner Bros. is seems to be looking at the way Marvel is ramping up to The Avengers by building an on-screen universe through standalone movies starring superheroes like Iron Man, Captain America and Thor.

Jeff Robinov, president of the Warner Bros. motion picture group, sat down with the Los Angeles Times and revealed that WB wants a Justice League movie to hit theatres by 2013. He also said that the studio plans to "reinvent" Batman following the events Chris Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises.

The long-in-development Justice League movie is a priotity for the studio, with a new script currently in development. George Miller was set to direct a JL movie in 2008, but that project stalled due to several factors, one being studio's concerns over "presenting a competing (and conflicting) version of Batman while director Christopher Nolan's films were breaking box office records."

So what is Batman's future? Nolan's departure from the series after Dark Knight Rises presents a challenge that Robinov has a plan for. "We have the third Batman, but then we'll have to reinvent Batman," Robinov said.

"Chris Nolan and [producing partner and wife] Emma Thomas will be producing it, so it will be a conversation with them about what the next phase is."

The studio is also reviving Flash and Wonder Woman projects, with the intention of spinning them off after the Justice League film. Robinov doesn't see any conflict between the Wonder Woman film and a potential big-screen version, pointing to the fact that Superman Returns came out while Smallville was on the air.

So the JLA will hit theatres (fingers crossed) in 2013. And Batman will be reinvented following TDKR with Nolan and his wife still overseeing that project. Guys, we know you have opinions about this. Unleash your all-caps fury on the Comments section! 

Amy Adams will play Lois Lane in Superman Reboot

Oscar nominee Amy Adams has been cast as Lois Lane in the Superman reboot.

The film's director, Zack Snyder, revealed to the Los Angeles Times that Adams received the news Sunday. After meeting with Adams, it was clear to the filmmaker that the Enchanted and The Fighter actress was "perfect" for the role of the dogged Daily Planet reporter and Man of Steel's love interest.

"It goes back to what I've said about Superman and making him really understandable for today. What's important to us is making him relevant and real and making him empathetic to today's audience so that we understand the decisions he makes. That applies to Lois as well. She has to be in the same universe as him [in tone and substance]," said Snyder.

Adams joins a cast that includes Henry Cavill as Superman, Kevin Costner as Jonathan Kent and Diane Lane as Martha Kent. Viggo Mortensen is said to be circling the role of General Zod.

Mila Kunis and James Franco Join The Wizard of Oz prequel

Mila Kunis, hot off of the Oscar-winning Black Swan (and with That '70s Show nothing but a distant memory), is now confirmed to be starring in Disney's Wizard of Oz prequel, Oz, the Great and Powerful.

James Franco stars as the Wizard… well, before he actually became the wizard.

Variety has the report. Kunis will play Theodora, the youngest sister of three witches who "starts out as a good witch, alongside her beautiful sister Glinda, but after her sexual advances are jilted by Franco's salesman, she's convinced by Evanora to switch sides and help her older sister rule Oz."

Sam Raimi will direct the film, which positions Franco's character as "a fast-talking snake oil salesman and illusionist who flees a travelling circus and winds up whisked away in a hot air balloon by a tornado to Oz where he must face off against real magic and the sisters battling for control of the land."

The other witch roles also need to be filled, and names being thrown about include Olivia Wilde, Amy Adams, Kate Beckinsale, Keira Knightley and Rebecca Hall. 

The Return of Chucky. Child's Play reboot on the way.

We've gotten Jason, Freddy and Leatherface reboots. So why not Chucky?

Movieweb reports that the little homicidal mold of plastic will be returning to cinemas soon, now that MGM has cleared up some legal issues surrounding the character.

"The remake had been in development for several years, with a script already written by Don Mancini, who also wrote all the previous movies in the Chucky franchise," says the site. "The hold-up on the remake was apparently due to rights issues by MGM and Universal. MGM has the rights to the original Child's Play, while Universal retained rights to the sequels. Apparently, a deal has been made between the two studios."

Production reportedly will begin later this year, with Brad Dourif returning to voice Chucky. Which automatically makes the film sound like a sequel rather than a reboot, but MW says unconfirmed talk is that the picture will be "more of a reboot, with a darker tone and less comedic elements." 

Bourne Spinoff film. Director narrows down search for lead.

Universal and writer-director Tony Gilroy are deep into searching for the lead of their Bourne Identity spinoff film, with several young Hollywood types in the running.

Deadline reports that the actors up for The Bourne Legacy include Joel Edgerton (a.k.a. the young Uncle Owen), Dominic Cooper (The Devil's Double), Garrett Hedlund (Tron: Legacy) and Luke Evans (Clash of the Titans). They'll all be screen-testing for the part.

"There could be another name or two (Logan Marshall-Green comes up as speculation)," says the site, while adding that "the choice could always come from an actor who doesn't test." That could be a Shia LaBeouf or Taylor Kitsch, both of whom apparently are also under consideration.

Sequels to the Spiderman reboot already in the works

So now we're getting sequels to superhero reboots. Don't act surprised -- you knew this was coming.

According to Heat Vision, Sony has hired James Vanderbilt to write the follow-up to the still-shooting The Amazing Spider-Man, which he also penned.

"Vanderbilt had a meeting with the Spider-Man filmmakers and studio execs yesterday outlining his take, getting a thumbs up, and will now begin writing," says the site. He worked on the Spider-Man 4 script before that project collapsed, at which point he segued into the reboot for Sony. "[Originally] he was chosen for his character-driven approach to the story rather than a focus on special effects and worked on an outline for a trio of films."

Though it was originally designed for Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 4 (and beyond), it would seem that trio has morphed into a reboot trilogy.

Vanderbilt has also penned Zodiac and The Losers, and recently did a polish on the Total Recall remake.

The Amazing Spider-Man is scheduled for a July 3, 2012 release. 

Clash of the Titans Sequel begins production. One of the main characters will not be returning.

The Clash of the Titans sequel has begun production this week and the plot for the film has also been revealed. Plus, one of the lead characters of the first film has been revealed to not be returning in the sequel.

The film, previously reported to be called Wrath of the Titans but simply called Clash of the Titans 2 in today's Warner Bros. press release, is being directed by Jonathan Liebesman (Battle: Los Angeles). Sam Worthington of course is back as Perseus, but Gemma Arterton, who played Io in the first film, apparently will not be back. Which kind of makes sense anyway, since her character was originally meant to be killed before a new ending was tacked onto the first picture. 

Liam Neeson, Danny Huston and Ralph Fiennes are all returning to the cast, while Rosamund Pike joins the group as Andromeda (replacing Alexa Davalos from the original), Edgar Ramirez plays Ares, Toby Kebbell takes on Argenor and Bill Nighy is Hephaestus.
 

Another Narnia Movie on the Way?

Walden Media has confirmed that there will be a fourth Chronicles of Narnia film. And this despite the fact that no one really cared all that much about the first three movies.

The Christian Post reports that it'll be The Magician's Nephew that gets adapted next (as opposed to The Silver Chair, which apparently had been speculated by fans).

"We are starting to talk to Fox and talk to the C.S. Lewis estate now about the Magician's Nephew being our next film," said Michael Flaherty, co-founder and president of Walden Media.

The last film, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, only made around $107 million domestically. But it's the overseas market where the money is at, apparently, as The Post adds that Dawn Treader recently hit the $300 million mark there.

Vague high-school English class memories (and Wikipedia) tell us that The Magician's Nephew is a prequel to the first book, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and deals with the creation of Narnia. So it's a reboot! 

Darren Aronofsky not directing The Wolverine

This is a real blow for the comic-book movie genre. It looks like Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky won't be helming the Wolverine sequel after all.

His reason? The project would keep him out of the country for too long.

Fox and star Hugh Jackman are expected to begin the search for a new director immediately.

Of course, the film was to largely take place in Japan, so one has to wonder if the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami and the ongoing nuclear concerns in the stricken country played into this decision.

"As I talked more about the film with my collaborators at Fox, it became clear that the production of The Wolverine would keep me out of the country for almost a year," Aronofsky said. "I was not comfortable being away from my family for that length of time. I am sad that I won't be able to see the project through, as it is a terrific script and I was very much looking forward to working with my friend, Hugh Jackman, again." 

Alec Baldwin will not appear in MIB3

There will be one less star making an appearance in Men in Black 3 ... when it finally finishes filming, that is.

Vulture caught up with actor Alec Baldwin this week, where he advised them that MiB 3's not in the cards for him after all despite rumors to the contrary.

"I'm not doing that. I'm out of it; the schedule didn't work out," said Baldwin, who is also lined up to star opposite Tom Cruise in the forthcoming Rock of Ages before resuming his award-winning role as Jack Donaghy on NBC's 30 Rock.

Baldwin would have played the MiB boss during the film's sequences set in 1969. The prolonged delay in shooting said scenes is the reason behind Baldwin's scheduling conflict. No word yet on who is replacing him.

Twilight Director may take on Daredevil

20th Century Fox and Chernin Entertainment have reportedly zeroed in on David Slade to direct the next Daredevil movie.

According to Variety, "Sources close to the project tell Variety that the untitled film will be a continuation of the superhero pic, and will not contain material from the Ben Affleck-toplined version released by Fox in 2003."

Slade is coming off the commercial success of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. His past credits include Hard Candy and 30 Days of Night. Slade had been in contention to helm Wolverine 2, but that gig ultimately went to Darren Aronofsky.

Although no actor's been mentioned yet as the new Matt Murdock, we don't think it's out of the realm of possibility that someone at Fox hasn't at least thought of Slade's Twilight leading man, Robert Pattinson, for the title role. 

The Hollywood Reporter claims that since Daredevil is still only in the development stage with no writer aboard yet that Slade's next project will likely be The Last Voyage of the Demeter.

Scream 5 possibly in the works? Talks of a Second Scream Trilogy.

If you were a fan of the original Scream Trilogy, we have some tidbits that might make you scream with joy a little bit longer. Judging by murmurs in the industry regarding the fourth installment of Wes Craven's horror franchise, it looks as though there might be a few additional movies in store for what is being dubbed as the second Trilogy in the Scream saga.

Shock Till You Drop has the exclusive scoop, citing that they have learned that Dimension Films is still keeping an open mind in finding a writer for a potential fifth installment, which will undoubtedly open the book for a sixth endeavor given the way this industry works with its beloved horror franchises.

Similarly, the writing fiasco over Scream 4 has a little bit of light shed on the situation in this month's edition of Total Film Magazine, which cites an interview with director Wes Craven over the flip-flopping with the writing process for Scream 4, as well as the director stating he could be up for more than just the fourth film in the series. Here is a blip from that interview with Craven:

"In some ways it's a Wes Craven film, and in way it's not entirely, because it's not a script I have control of. It's ultimately controlled by what the studio wants in the script. My job is much more bringing whatever experience and expertise and creativity I can. Look, there was a bumpy period when things shifted over from Kevin to Ehren. I signed up to do a script by Kevin and unfortunately that didn't go all the way through the shooting. But it certainly is Kevin's script and concept and ideas and themes."

What is happening with Men in Black 3?

What exactly is going on with Men in Black III? They were filming at the end of last year, and then they stopped. And... what? Are Agents K and J making a return or not?

The Hollywood Reporter has a piece on the convoluted production, and non-production as it were, of the Will Smith/Tommy Lee Jones starrer. Essentially, the $200 million-plus picture started shooting without a finished script last November. And while -- believe it or not -- that's not entirely unusual these days, the fact that now, some five months after production began, it still doesn't have a locked screenplay… well, that is something of a problem, it would seem.

"Sony Pictures started filming Men in Black III with only one act of the script set," explains the trade. "The studio built in a break in production that was scheduled to last from late December through mid-February, during which the remainder of the screenplay was supposed to be completed."

The hiatus was also meant to take advantage of New York tax incentives for film production. But now that break has been extended until the end of March as new scribe David Koepp has come in to work out "complex script issues involving time travel." Because the MIB movies have always been such bastions of realistic sci-fi and logic? Or is there something else going on here?

Insiders tell THR that the film might've gone into production simply because all of the main players -- Smith, Jones and director Barry Sonnenfeld -- had well-timed openings in their schedules. It has been almost a decade since the second film, after all, and who knows what kind of wait Sony would've had if they let these guys go off into the wild again.

Tropic Thunder's Etan Cohen wrote the initial script, but Smith wanted to make changes to it. And the paper also indicates that tension between Sonnenfeld and producer Walter Parkes are further complicating matters. "The real evil here is Walter trying to impose his point of view on things," says another source. "And because he's so facile and he's got great hair, he wins the day a lot. But what sounds great never materializes into a screenplay."

Yes, great hair will do a lot for you in life. But will it get Men in Black III into theaters by its planned summer, 2012 date? That might take some complex time travel to pull off at this point. 

Neill Blomkamp's Elysium Release Date Announced

Elysium, director Neill Blomkamp's follow-up to District 9, has been slated for a March 8, 2013 release date. The sci-fi film has lined up Matt Damon, Jodie Foster and Sharlto Copley to star.

The Hollywood Reporter adds that Brazilian actor Wagner Moura (Elite Squad) has also been cast as the film's villain.

"The plot is being kept under wraps, although the setting is a future world. Social class figures into this world, and Damon's character is an ex-con," according to THR.

Possible Doom Reboot in the Works?

Tomb Raider isn't the only game-to-film getting the reboot treatment if this new report pans out.

What's Playing claims that Universal is planning a 3D feature film reboot of Doom, a movie that will reportedly ignore the events of the 2005 film adaptation that starred Dwayne Johnson, Karl Urban and Rosamund Pike.

The site says the Doom reboot is in "the early stages of development" and is looking for a screenwriter. They also claim that "the success of Paramount's G.I Joe : Rise of Cobra piqued their interest even more" in a Doom sequel.

There was chatter back in 2008 that another Doom movie would take its inspiration from the forthcoming Doom 4 video game, which is slated for release later this year.

Sir Anthony Hopkins to play the next Bond Villian?

One of 007's biggest enemies has always been the British tabloid press, but on a few occasions they have gotten things right (like Pierce Brosnan getting booted in favor of Daniel Craig). So take the following interesting rumor with a grain of salt.

According to The Sun, Oscar winner Sir Anthony Hopkins of Hannibal the Cannibal fame is "close to signing a deal" to play the villain in Bond 23.

"The only stumbling block seems to be the number of films he is signing up for. There is a chance the character they want him to play could become a regular feature, like Blofeld back in the day," according to the tabloid's source.

Seeing as how Hopkins has taken a slew of paycheck roles of late -- The Rite, The Wolfman, Beowulf and Thor all spring to mind -- it's not inconceivable that he could agree to play a Bond villain.

A bevy of big names, ranging from Javier Bardem to Ralph Fiennes, have been linked with the Sam Mendes-directed James Bond film, which is slated to begin filming later this year.

Sylvester Stallone Will Not be Directing Expendables 2.

The Expendables 2 is still happening, but without the services of Sylvester Stallone behind the camera.

Stallone starred in and directed the 2010 original for Lionsgate, but The Los Angeles Times reports that Sly will only star in the sequel and not helm it.

The paper claims "he's been meeting with directors to tackle the sequel, said a person who was briefed on the project but was not authorized to speak about it publicly."

David Agosto and Ken Kaufman penned the sequel's script.

Monopoly Movie Still on its Way

Looks like we're still getting that Monopoly movie from director Ridley Scott, so you can all rest easy now.

Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner told MTV that "Monoploy is still happening, and we're developing a great story. ... It's a very fun take."

Goldner continued, "It's a very human and personal story. It's not really Wall Street, not at all. ... It's a fictionalized story of a family, and there's a lot of intrigue in the story. Suffice it to say, it's a story about a family with a history, and we're projecting that into current times. But it's not Wall Street. It's more about property ownership and of the play-pattern of the game."

Tomb Raider Reboot Announced

GK Films announced today that it's acquired the movie rights to the Tomb Raider game franchise from Square Enix.

Producer Graham King and Tom Headington will reboot the film series, with a new Lara Croft adventure slated to hit the screen by 2013. "We are very excited to be rebooting what is already a hugely successful film franchise and continuing the Tomb Raider phenomenon," King said in a press release.

The previous two Tomb Raider films, starring Angelina Jolie as the busty, British treasure hunter Lara Croft and released by Paramount, grossed over $430 million at the global box office.

GK Films has produced The Town, Rango and The Tourist, which starred Jolie.

Crystal Dynamics revealed last December that they're making a new Tomb Raider game that will focus on the origins of Lara Croft.

Guillermo Del Toro Possibly Directing Pacific Rim

Guillermo del Toro has long wanted to bring the H.P. Lovecraft horror classic At the Mountains of Madness to the big screen. And now, after several long months where it looked like the film might finally happen, it seems like the director may have to keep waiting and move onto another project in the meantime.

Deadline claims that del Toro may make Pacific Rim his next project instead of Mountains, which is still waiting on a green-light from Universal. The studio is said to still be skittish about the pic's almost certain "R" rating and big budget.

Pacific Rim is a monster movie that's set-up over at Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures, the studio and production outfit behind the Batman films, 300 and Clash of the Titans. Pacific Rim is described as "a Travis Beacham-scripted PG-13 tent pole-sized project with big monsters and the creation of a new world, and that this could very well be the next film del Toro directs."

Silent Hill Sequel Commences Shooting. First Image.

Principal photography commenced today in Toronto on Silent Hill: Revelation 3D, Davis Films' long-gestating sequel to 2006's game-to-film adaptation Silent Hill.

Michael J. Bassett (Solomon Kane) wrote and is directing the sequel. Adelaide Clemens (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) and Kit Harington (Game of Thrones) have been announced to star.

"Adelaide is breaking out of the indie world with commercial features such as X-Men and the upcoming Mad Max: Fury Road. She and Kit are emerging young talent and their chemistry and dynamics make them a brilliant addition to the Silent Hill team," said producer Don Carmody in a statement.

For years, Heather Mason (Clemens) and her father have been on the run, always one step ahead of dangerous forces that she doesn't fully understand. Now on the eve of her 18th birthday, plagued by terrifying nightmares and the disappearance of her father, Heather discovers she's not who she thinks she is. The revelation leads her deeper into a demonic world that threatens to trap her in Silent Hill forever. 

Mad Max 4 Delayed. When will the movie begin shooting?

Director George Miller has given the press a status update on his oft-postponed sequel, Mad Max 4: Fury Road.

Production was to have begun in Australia in January, but was postponed due to weather conditions. Indeed, the area they were to have shot in -- Broken Hill -- ended up being flooded by heavy rain.

"We will restart pre-production later this year and begin early next year -- weather permitting," Miller told The Daily Telegraph. Cast members Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult and Teresa Palmer all remain attached to the project.

"We've built the vehicles. We've designed the movie. The principal cast is locked in. The film is funded. It's all ready to go. We just wait," said Miller, who is now shooting Happy Feet 2 during the 12-month interim.

Robocop Reboot back in the works. Padilha may direct.

MGM is reportedly lining up Brazilian filmmaker Jose Padilha to direct their long-gestating remake of Robocop.

Oscar nominee Darren Aronofsky had long been attached to the project, but now Deadline reports that MGM is negotiating with Elite Squad director Padilha to succeed him.

"Reconstituted under Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum, MGM has targeted Robocop as its first major franchise play, and they worked hard to find a filmmaker who could play on a global field," according to Deadline. "Once Padilha is aboard, they will set a writer who'll work under the director's supervision."

Rumours that Shia LaBeouf may star in the New Bourne movie?

The rumor mill has added yet another name to the dozen or so actors reportedly up for the male lead in the Matt Damon-free sequel, The Bourne Legacy.

Latino Review claims that Transformers star Shia LaBeouf is the latest contender to star in the Tony Gilroy-directed picture. The male lead is a new character; the film is not a reboot nor is it recasting the role of Jason Bourne.

"No decisions have been made but we can confirm that Shia went in and is in the mix," the site reports.

What do you folks think of Shia in a Bourne film? Sound off in the Comments below!

Devil May Cry Movie on the way.

Devil May Cry is headed to the big screen.

Variety reports that Sony's Screen Gems, the distribution outlet behind the Resident Evil film franchise, has purchased the movie rights to the Capcom game series in the hopes of starting the next big game-to-film franchise a la RE.

Screen Gems has hired Kyle Ward, who also penned the Kane & Lynch movie at Lionsgate, to write the screenplay. The video game's story follows Dante as he hacks and slashes his way through demons in his quest to avenge his mother's murder.

The first whispers of a Devil May Cry live-action feature film were made almost eight years ago when Tokyo-based film distributor Gaga Communications landed the screen right from Capcom; they had hoped to be in production by 2005.

Transformers 3 has Sentinel Prime

When Transformers: Dark of the Moon hits theatres, Michael Bay's ode to transforming messes of CG pixels and explosions will introduce us to yet another member of the Autobot clan: Sentinel Prime.

Who is he? According to Empire Magazine, which has exclusive pictures of the character, SP will serve as an ass-kicking "big brother and mentor" to Optimus Prime, as the Autobots team-up to unleash ass-kickings upon Megatron, Shockwave and the rest of the Decepti-creeps. (Reference!)

 
Sentinel Prime will carry a sword that looks similar to Cloud's from Final Fantasy. SP is also the Transformer glimpsed in the film's teaser trailer, the one inside the ship from Cybertron that has crashed on the moon. (Fans had speculated that it might be Alpha Trion.)

Empire also revealed that Dark of the Moon will feature a brand-new Decepticon named (sigh) Dreadbox, whose vehicle form is a Ferrari. Which makes sense, because Bay has a serious crush on that car. (Nic Cage stole one and chased a Humvee with it in The Rock, for example.)

The Bayhem hits theatres, in 3D, July 

Star Trek 2 coming along at warp speed.

The screenplay for the tentatively titled Star Trek 2 is almost complete, and according to a tweet from cast member Simon Pegg, "Word on the bridge is the new script is AMAZEBALLS and I cannot wait!!!!!"

The script is being written by Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Damon Lindelof, all veterans of J.J. Abrams' productions. (It's not yet known whether Abrams will reprise directing duties on the sequel to his hit series reboot.) The Paramount brass are said to have been pitched the entire story and given it a thumbs-up.

TrekMovie, which points out this article at Screenrant, reports that "all indications are that Paramount is bullish on the Star Trek sequel and wants to get things going to ensure they make their June 29, 2012 date."

The site adds that "things continue to move in the right direction for the 2012 Star Trek sequel, and 2011 looks to be an eventful year for the film moving into to pre-production soon and then production, which is reported to be starting in August."

Viggo Mortensen might be Superman's New Zod?

Lord of the Rings veteran Viggo Mortensen is reportedly under consideration to play the nefarious General Zod in the Superman reboot. (This despite the fact that director Zack Snyder recently denied that Zod was in the movie.)

Calling him a "person of interest" (cripes, he didn't kill someone!), The Hollywood Reporter says "Mortensen, who is still in negotiations for Universal's Snow White and the Huntsman, is said to be at the top of the list to play General Zod, the evil and super-powered scientist who was portrayed by Terence Stamp in 1980's Superman II. If Mortensen's Snow White deal doesn't close, that would potentially free him up to make Superman. Or Universal and Warner Bros. could work out his schedule and enable him to do both."

The trade adds that while no talks have taken place yet with Mortensen, he is, like Kevin Costner as Pa Kent, Warners' top choice for the role.

Snyder is also said to be meeting with actresses for the film's three key female roles. (We assume the roles to be those of Lois Lane, Ursa and Ma Kent.)