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IESB briefly questioned X-actor Hugh Jackman a.k.a., Wolverine, and confirmed that veteran super-movie director Bryan Singer is his top choice for the Wolverine movie. But will Singer have time to do both Superman II AND another X-Film?

IESB: About a month ago, you said you might have news on who you would prefer to have direct Wolverine. Recently, Bryan Singer has said he was offered to direct it, doing more research I am hearing it’s been you hoping to get Bryan to direct it.

Hugh Jackman: Well, the…(laughing)…the thing is it’s all in negotiations, I can really…there is a list and Bryan is, sort of, at the beginning of it, so, of course, he’s in the loop. So, but, it is too early for me to say.

IESB: The fact that he [Bryan Singer] is talking about it…

Hugh Jackman: I think it’s great, we’ll see the way we go, and now we have the script and now we really need to work out who is the best person for it. But, you know, Bryan has always been in the loop, for us.

IESB: Is the plan still to shoot [Wolverine] mid-year next year (2007)?

Hugh Jackman: No, I’m meant to finish Baz’s [Lurhmann] movie, the end of August, my guess is that Baz might just go til September…well, who knows, I think we’ll go for the beginning of ’08. That way…I need to have, my idea for Wolverine, I want to have four months clear before I start shooting, ‘cause I want to be in shape, the physical shape, I have never been in before.

Here is a tidbit for you sports and technology junkies out there (like me). The Oakland Athletics (see: baseball) are having a new ballpark built in Fremont, California. Cisco Systems will be the primary funder of said ballpark, so you can expect some high tech features in this ballpark.

Some of the crazy high-techness include electronic tickets stored on cellphones, immediate instant replays from the bleachers via laptops, Wi-Fi access and digital advertising displays that change based upon buying habits of people walking by. Better watch out, your wife may not know that you enjoy buying fetish porn, but these ad displays will.

Deadspin

Source: Paramount Pictures

Paramount Pictures has revealed the winning lines for the Transformers Optimus Prime contest on the official website. The first place winner will become a line in the movie as voiced by Peter Cullen, while the other lines will also be spoken by Cullen and appear as ringtones and on the official site.

Opening July 4, 2007, Transformers is directed by Michael Bay and stars Cullen, Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Jon Voight, Bernie Mac, Tyrese Gibson, Rachael Taylor, Amaury Nolasco, Kevin Dunn, Ronnie Sperling and Dane Cook.

First look at the Martian Manhunter from the latest episode of Smallville.

The eight episode of Smallville titled “Static” is here, and with it the first appearance of the Martian Manhunter on the TV series. Glowing eyes and all.

For more pictures click here.

Source: IFILM

Sony Pictures has launched the new Spider-Man 3 trailer at IFILM, or you can watch it below! New behind-the-scenes Webisodes are also up at MTV. The Sam Raimi-directed sequel kicks-off next summer on May 4.

In Spider-Man 3, based on the legendary Marvel Comics series, Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) has finally managed to strike a balance between his devotion to M.J. (Kirsten Dunst) and his duties as a superhero. But there is a storm brewing on the horizon. As Spider-Man basks in the public’s adulation for his accomplishments and he is pursued by Gwen Stacy (Bryce Dallas Howard), who rivals M.J. for his affections, Peter becomes overconfident and starts to neglect the people who care about him most. His newfound self-assuredness is jeopardized when he faces the battle of his life against two of the most feared villains ever (Thomas Haden Church, Topher Grace), whose unparalleled power and thirst for retribution threaten Peter and everyone he loves.

Source: Lionsgate

Lionsgate has released this official announcement about The Invincible Iron Man, coming to DVD in January. Cover art follows the press release:

This January, Marvel Studios and Lionsgate will release to DVD the latest title in the very successful Marvel Animated Features video series — THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN, inspired by one of Marvel’s most popular Super Hero franchises. The third release of a multi-picture direct-to-DVD deal signed by the two companies, THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN follows on the heels of the enormously successful ULTIMATE AVENGERS: THE MOVIE and ULTIMATE AVENGERS 2: RISE OF THE PANTHER, which have sold more than 1.5 million units combined since debuting in February 2006, and currently rank among the top 10 children’s releases year-to-date according to Nielsen Videoscan (10/8/06). THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN is an origin story that follows billionaire inventor Tony Stark as he raises a long-buried city in China and awakens an unspeakable evil that only the armor-clad Iron Man(TM) can destroy in a battle of modern technology versus eastern mythology.

“Marvel fans are among the most loyal and fervent in existence and they are anxious for Iron Man to take the spotlight,” said Lionsgate President Steve Beeks. “The Marvel Animated Features have been so successful because they lived up to the expectations of these fans in both production quality and the experience they have come to expect with Marvel projects. We anticipate THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN to achieve similar critical and sales success as the feature will bring the superhero to life with a story that honors its comic book roots.”

“Iron Man is one of Marvel’s premier characters. Our animation team has done a terrific job bringing Tony Stark to life in this action-packed animated DVD feature,” added Marvel Studios President/COO, Michael Helfant.

Named after the comic books that made Tony Stark’s alter ego one of the most popular characters in the Marvel Universe, THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN will be available on DVD on January 23, 2007 for the suggested retail price of $19.98. The DVD features a “marvel-ous” host of bonus features including an alternate opening sequence, “The Origin of Iron Man” featurette, “The Hall of Iron Man Armor” featurette, a look at the upcoming Marvel Animated Feature, DR. STRANGE and more.

Source: Newsarama

Newsarama talked to Heath Ledger today at the press junket for “Candy” and got a few quotes on how he will play The Joker in The Dark Knight. Here’s a clip:

The Killing Joke was the one that was handed to me. I think it’s going to be the beginning of The Joker. I guess that book explains a little bit of where he’s from but not too much. From what I’ve gathered, there isn’t a lot of information about The Joker and it’s left that way.

Visit the link above for the full article.

Source: Sony Pictures Entertainment

Spider-Man fans will get a long-awaited sneak peek at Columbia Pictures’ highly anticipated motion picture Spider-Man 3 when a new, full-length, two-and-a-half minute trailer debuts in a special unprecedented “road block” across Viacom Inc.’s brands and on the CBS Television Network on Thursday, November 9, at approximately 10:00 pm. Spider-Man 3, starring Tobey Maguire and directed by Sam Raimi, kicks off next summer’s moviegoing season on May 4, 2007.

The television networks airing the new trailer include BET, CBS, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV, MTV2, Spike TV and VH1, with each supporting the event with custom promotions both on-air and online. A total of 14 online destinations from Viacom’s networks are supporting the airing of the trailer, including AddictingGames.com, AddictingClips.com, BET.com, MTV.com, IFILM.com, Nick.com, ComedyCentral.com, GameTrailers.com, LOGOonline.com, Neopets.com, SpikeTV.com, The-N.com, VH1.com, and Xfire.com.

Immediately following the television premiere, a high-definition version of the trailer will be available exclusively on MTV Networks’ IFILM.com.

“The ‘Spider-Man’ franchise appeals to audiences of all ages and we wanted to find a special partner that would reach Spidey fans everywhere,” said Valerie Van Galder, President of Domestic Marketing for the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group. “This is not only event television, but it’s event online programming and Viacom and CBS have an umbrella of world renowned brands that were a perfect match for our movie online, on cable and on network television. We couldn’t be more excited to launch this new ‘Spider-Man 3′ trailer in this innovative way.”

In Spider-Man 3, based on the legendary Marvel Comics series, Peter Parker has finally managed to strike a balance between his devotion to M.J. and his duties as a superhero. But there is a storm brewing on the horizon. As Spider-Man basks in the public’s adulation for his accomplishments, Peter becomes overconfident and starts to neglect the people who care about him most. His newfound self-assuredness is jeopardized when he faces the battle of his life against two of the most feared villains ever, Sandman and Venom, whose unparalleled power and thirst for retribution threaten Peter and everyone he loves.

Spider-Man 3 reunites the cast and filmmakers from the first two blockbuster adventures — which have grossed more than $1.6 billion worldwide.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Morgan Freeman is in final talks to star opposite James McAvoy in Universal Pictures’ Wanted, a sci-fi actioner that will mark the English-language debut of Russian filmmaker Timur Bekmambetov.

Wanted is based on Mark Millar’s explosive graphic novel series, published by Top Cow. The story follows a put-upon man (McAvoy) who discovers that his long-lost father is an assassin. After his dad is murdered, the son is recruited into a covert organization of killers and trained to follow in his father’s footsteps.

Freeman will play Sloan, the lead assassin who trains McAvoy.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes

Rotten Tomatoes chatted with Brandon Routh about the Superman Returns sequel, to which Bryan Singer is now attached to direct:

“Bryan [Singer] said at Comic-Con they were going to add some more fighting elements and stuff like that,” said Routh. “That might be kind of interesting to throw some punches or throw something, I don’t know, a little more active.”

Routh is going to have to hit the gym again to get back into fighting shape, but not just yet. “I think I’ve got a while. We probably won’t start for another at least six months. They’ve got to get things written so I’m still in the gym. I still work out a little bit but certainly not as much as I had been.”

Visit the link above for more. In related news, the official Superman Returns website has been updated with DVD info.