Newsflash: Mystery J.J. Abrams trailer, 'X-Men: First Class' gets director, Nolan's 3rd 'Batman' offcial & more

J.J. Abrams has a new secret project and the trailer for it will be attached to Iron Man 2.  HitFix got the scoop that the preview is called Super 8 and…that’s about all we know. The two prevailing theories is that it’s really a sneak peek for the rumored Cloverfield sequel or the first look at his new NBC spy flavored series Undercovers. But could it be something else entirely? Yes. Yes it could. We’ll know in a few days. (P.S. Look for some easter eggs in IM2 related to future Marvel movies. That’s all I will say.)
Director Matthew Vaughn (Kick-Ass, Layer Cake) has officially signed on to direct X-Men: First Class, opening June 3, 2011. Bryan Singer, who developed the story and initially wanted to direct, will serve as a producer joining the awesome Lauren Shuler Donner and Simon Kinberg. The story will take place before Professor X and Magneto took on those code names and were just discovering their powers. It will also serve to reboot a franchise that’s recently  suffered. Additionally, Heat Vision suspects Singer may be using his <i>Jack the Giant-killer</i> auditions to find potential X-men.
Christopher Nolan’s take on Batman has become a trilogy. Warner Bros. announced the Batman Begins and The Dark Knight director will bring another Bat-adventure to the theaters on July 20, 2012. There is zero information available other than that buy I’m sure Nolan has plans. There are unfounded rumors flying about, many of which point to The Riddler as the villain front runner. I have other ideas but I’ll get to that in another post…
The cast of AMC’s Walking Dead is growing. Per The Hollywood Reporter, Laurie Holdon (The Shield, The Mist) will play Andrea, one of the key members of the suvivor group who’s handy with a sniper rifle. Newcomer Steven Yeun will play Glenn, another key survivor with a knack for adapting. Adam Fierro (Dexter, The Shield, 24) has also joined as a consulting producer.
NBC has ordered a full season of Undercovers from Abrams and executive producer/writer Josh Reims (Brothers & Sisters, Dirty Sexy Money). The show stars Boris Kodjoe and Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Martha’s sister Tish Jones on Doctor Who) as a married couple who get un-retired from the spy game. It’s initially billed as a spy comedy but with J.J. you never know.
We knew the Intersect gave Chuck amazing abilities but who knew singing was one of them? In the most unexpected crossover of the year, Katherine McPhee has teamed up with Chuck star Zachary Levi on a duet. He’d easily win American Idol this year. The song, “Terrified,” was written by Jason Reeves who was the original male counterpart on the tune and often works with Colbie Caillat. No word on whether Levi will be putting out his own album but, based on talent and how successful I think the song will be, I think the likelihood is strong.
Heat Vision reports that Sam Rockwell has joined the cast of Cowboys and Aliens as bar owner “Doc” who joins the fight. The comic adaption is being helmed by Jon Favreau and stars current James Bond Daniel Craig, Olivia Wilde (House) and Harrison Ford.
I thought this was already official but I guess it’s now super official – Hugo Weaving is the Red Skull. With diverse past gigs as an elf lord, a sentient computer virus, a drag queen in the desert, and a werewolf hunter, playing the crimson-domed arch-nemesis of Captain America shouldn’t be a problem.
Patrick Dempsey (I loved him in Run) has joined the cast of Transformers 3 per Variety. Lord have mercy on his soul. He states he’s playing a “darker character” which I translate as either he’s a straight up bad guy (weapons dealer perhaps) or an unsavory military type.
It’s no secret that I love Muppets and the Hensen Company so this bit of news makes me very excited. It was announced today that fraternal directing team Peter and Michel Spierig (Daybreakers, Undead) are replacing Genndy Tartakovsky (Samurai Jack, Powerpuff Girls, Cartoon Network’s upcoming Sym-Bionic Titan) for the long-awaited The Power of the Dark Crystal. The Slash Film article also names the writer and effects company.
Deadline Hollywood reported that Battlestar Galatica‘s Ronald D. Moore and his Tall Ship Prods. has signed a two-year production deal with Sony Pictures TV. Sony made a similar deal with Al Gough and Miles Millar, most famously (or infamously) known for their work on Smallville up until 2008.
The Hollywood Reporter announced that Stan Lee will be joining the History Channel for Stan Lee’s Superhumans. The series will feature people born with amazing abilities (though I doubt red concussive eyebeams will be one of them). Lee will co-host the show with Daniel Browning Smith, also know as the world’s most flexible man.
Misfits favorite Jewel Staite and Alan Dale (Charles Widmore on Lost) have started production on the Syfy movie Doomsday Scrolls. The title doesn’t have quite the same ring as Mansquito but it’ll do.
Did you miss the Lost panel at PaleyFest2010? Fret no more because it’s now available on DVD (www.payleycenter.org and amazon.com). Moderated by Paul Scheer of Human Giant fame, the panel included Terry O’Quinn, Michael Emerson, Nestor Carbonell, and Zuleikha Robinson (“Ilana”) as well as executive producers Damon Lindleof, Carlton Cuse, Jack Bender, Adam Horowitz, Eddy Kitsis, and Liz Sarnoff. Also available is the 2005 panel which included Matthew Fox, Josh Holloway, Jorge Garcia, Daniel Dae Kim, Yunjim Kim, Dominic Monaghan, and executive producer J.J. Abrams among others. Both are available for $19.95.
Speaking of the Paley Center, they’re having “An Evening with Burn Notice” on Thursday, May 13. Tickets are $10 for members, $15 for non-members and go on sale tomorrow.
Hey MMORPG fans, want a sneak peak at Age of Conan: Rise of the Godslayer? IGN’s Fileplanet has the in for folks in the US and Canada.
Evangeline Lilly talks about Lost now that it’s wrapped and the one scene she’d rewrite.
Roger Ebert hates 3-D. I do too. He explains why very well.
And finally, Proof of the Internet’s Awesomeness #42 – restorejosswhedonandhissmokinghotasskickingchicks.org