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Kevin Munroe will write and direct a movie adaptation of Dark Horse comic El Zombo Fantasma.

The story involves a murdered Mexican wrestler returning from the dead to act as guardian to a difficult Los Angeles teen, The Hollywood Reporter says.

Chris Patton, Robert Sanchez, Jose Martinez and Latino Review movie website owner Kellvin Chavez will produce the project, described as a "Latino Hellboy".

"It furthers our goal of bringing Latino themes and Latino talent to the commercial market," said Martinez. "We plan to blow this out in a big way."

Director Munroe's last movie was TMNT. He is currently preparing to shoot Dead Of Night with Brandon Routh.

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The Academy Of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has filed a lawsuit against a company that has been selling "black-market" tickets for this year's Oscars.

Arizona-based Experience 6 had reportedly been charging up to $175,000 (£124,000) for the luxury packages, which included four tickets to the ceremony and a hotel stay in Los Angeles.

Show organisers have insisted that tickets to the Academy Awards cannot be transferred or sold for security reasons, including the possibility of celebrity stalkers or terrorists acquiring them.

The lawsuit, which was filed yesterday, added that individuals who purchased such luxury packages would not be allowed access to the event.

"In offering such black-market tickets, defendants are misleading the public and the ticket buyers into thinking that purchasers will be welcomed guests, rather than as trespassers, when they arrive for the ceremony," it said.

According to TMZ, the lawsuit is asking for an injunction to be placed on the sale of the packages as well as compensatory and punitive damages.

The 81st annual Academy Awards will take place at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles on February 22.

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Steven Rogers has been hired to write a movie adaptation of Shanna Swendson's book Enchanted, Inc, according to Variety.

The fantasy novel is based around Katie Chandler, a Texas girl who moves from her small-town home to New York and discovers that magic is a common occurrence in the Big Apple. Because she has no magic abilities, Katie is able to see through spells.

Strike Entertainment (Children Of Men), who are housed at Universal, will produce the film.

Rogers's previous credits include Hope Floats, Kate And Leopold and Hilary Swank rom-com P.S. I Love You.

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Shrek has been named the most loved children's film by adults.

The Dreamworks animation about a grumpy ogre beat competition from Pirates Of The Caribbean and Finding Nemo to top the survey of 3,000 adults carried out by OnePoll.

"Shrek is a great film whether you are five or 50," said a OnePoll spokesperson.

"It has the simple plot and colourful characters keep the children entertained, but the jokes and adult humour make sure that it also keeps the older generation happy."

The 2001 movie, which featured the voice talents of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz, has spawned two successful sequels, with a third follow-up currently in development.

Disney's Pirates Of The Caribbean, starring Johnny Depp, was ranked second, while Disney/Pixar animation Finding Nemo came in third place.

The top ten most loved children's films as voted for by adults are:

1. Shrek
2. Pirates Of The Caribbean
3. Finding Nemo
4. Toy Story
5. Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone
6. The Lion King
7. Mrs Doubtfire
8. Monsters Inc.
9. Ice Age
10. Wallace And Gromit: Curse Of The Were-Rabbit

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A third instalment in the Tomb Raider movie franchise has been confirmed, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Warner Brothers has reportedly bought the rights to the series, based on the popular video game about the daredevil archaeologist.

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and its sequel Lara Croft: Cradle Of Life were made by Paramount before the rights reverted back to the games' makers Eidos. Warner Brothers reportedly then landed the rights as part of Time Warner's deal to up its stake in Eidos.

Terminator Salvation's Dan Lin will produce the film, which is in early development, with Stephen Gilchrist co-producing and Eidos's Ian Livingstone executive producing.

No cast has been announced yet but insiders have tipped Transformers star Megan Fox to take on the role made famous by Angelina Jolie.

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Slumdog Millionaire has held off competition from Tom Cruise's Valkyrie to retain the UK box office top spot.

Cruise's World War II drama settles for second, while horror My Bloody Valentine climbs to third.

Will Smith's Seven Pounds slips to fourth and fantasy adventure Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans enters at five. Ron Howard's historical drama Frost/Nixon charts at nine.

The top ten in full:

1. (2) Slumdog Millionaire - £2,806,996
2. (-) Valkyrie - £1,854,195
3. (4) My Bloody Valentine - £1,182,514
4. (2) Seven Pounds - £1,089,129
5. (-) Underworld: Rise of the Lycans - £990,285
6. (3) Role Models - £951,449
7. (5) Bride Wars -£950,538
8. (6) Beverly Hills Chihuahua - £918,808
9. (-) Frost/Nixon - £591,411
10. (10) Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa - £408,315

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Twentieth Century Fox has hired Ridley Scott and Joe Carnahan to develop its movie adaptation of The A-Team.

According to Variety, Scott and his brother Tony will produce through their Scott Free company, while Carnahan will replace the recently departed John Singleton in helming the project.

"Tony and I feel that marrying this Scott Free project with Joe's sensibility will result in a fast-paced, exciting franchise, one we hope will be around for years to come," said Ridley Scott.

Stephen J. Cannell, the creator of the 1980s TV show, will also produce.

The original series followed four Vietnam vets who escape from prison and become do-gooder mercenaries. Carnahan has revealed that the Middle East will replace Vietnam in the movie but that the premise will remain the same.

"You can...make a film that reflects on the real world without losing the great sense of fun and the velocity of action in a classic summer popcorn film," said Carnahan.

"This was a coveted property, and reimagining a show that I remembered as a kid was tough to turn down. Fox hired me to make it as emotional, real and accessible as possible without cheesing it up."

Production is scheduled to begin in June with a slated June 2010 release date.

Carnahan's previous directing credits include Narc and Smokin' Aces.

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Brazilian filmmaker Jose Padilha has been hired to direct espionage thriller The Sigma Protocol for Universal.

The movie, based on the last completed novel from Jason Bourne creator Robert Ludlum, centres on a Wall Street economist who becomes a target for assassination. With the help of a disowned US intelligence agent, he uncovers a conspiracy to control the global financial system and world events.

Iron Man writers Art Marcum and Matt Holloway have penned the adaptation, bringing events from the novel's World War II setting into the present day.

Padilha's recent film Elite Squad won the prestigious Golden Bear prize at last year's Berlin International Film Festival. He is also attached to Warner Bros's The Willing Patriot and drug drama Marching Powder.

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Neil Jordan has reportedly signed on to direct a film adaptation of Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book.

According to Geeks Of Doom, Gaiman made the announcement during an appearance on The Today Show.

The novel revolves around Nobody Owens, a boy who lives in a graveyard and has been raised by ghosts. Gaiman was recently awarded the 2009 Newbery Medal for the book, recognising its contribution to children's literature.

The author will produce the film with The Dark Knight's Framestore in charge of the special effects.

Gaiman revealed that he hopes for an all-British cast of well-known stars, similar to the Harry Potter franchise. However, he said that the main role of Nobody will be played by several unknown actors of different ages.

Jordan's previous directing credits include The Brave One, Interview With The Vampire and The Crying Game, for which he won a best screenplay Oscar.

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Gary Oldman has revealed that he accepted Heath Ledger's SAG award at the request of the late actor's family.

Oldman, who appeared opposite Ledger in The Dark Knight, praised his co-star when picking up the Best Supporting Actor prize at Sunday's ceremony.

"I'm quite emotional," the British actor said. "He was an extraordinary young man, with an extraordinary talent and it is wonderful that you have acknowledged and honoured that talent tonight."

Oldman told Access Hollywood that he was asked to collect the award after meeting Ledger's family.

"We went for a wonderful meal with the family in New York, we got on very well," he explained. "They called and said would I pick it up for [Heath] if he won?"

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Comic book writer Stan Lee has been hit with a $750 million (£528m) lawsuit over movie and book profits.

Lee, whose creations Spider-Man, Fantastic Four and the X-Men have been turned into hit blockbusters, is being sued along with Marvel Comics by shareholders of Stan Lee Media Inc. (SLMI).

In papers filed in New York, SLMI claim that Lee signed the rights to his Marvel characters over to them and are seeking a portion of film and merchandising profits.

SLMI was formed by Lee in 1991 but went bankrupt a decade later. The company re-surfaced in 2006 without Lee's involvement. Lee later sued them for cybersquatting and copyright infringement.

"We look forward to a positive resolution for Stan Lee and his family," said Lee's attorney Mark Williams of the lawsuit.

Marvel, who are also named in the case, have dismissed the claims as "ridiculous".

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The Academy Of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has relaxed its rules on Oscar nominees for Best Picture contender the The Reader.

Academy regulations state that only three producers may be credited per picture, but the makers of the Kate Winslet drama had submitted four names, reports Variety.

Organisers have agreed to allow four individuals to be credited for the first time in a decade because two of them - Anthony Minghella and Sydney Pollack - have died.

The rule was introduced after an army of producers invaded the stage following Shakespeare In Love's win in 1998, but the Academy revised the regulation in 2006 to exclude "rare and extraordinary circumstances".

"The committee determined that the circumstances of The Reader - in which the two original producers both died partway through the process - met its definition of 'rare and extraordinary' and that all four submitted individuals should be named as nominees," said a statement.

Minghella passed away last March after suffering a brain haemorrhage. Pollack died from cancer three months later.

Ben Hur's Sam Zimbalist is the only producer to posthumously win a Best Picture Oscar.

The 81st annual Academy Awards will be broadcast live from the Kodak Theatre on February 22.

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The third Batman film since the relaunch of the franchise should hit cinema screens in 2011, producer Michael Uslan has predicted.

He told the Courier-Post that the sequel to The Dark Knight is around three years from release, but declined to reveal which supervillains the Caped Crusader will face in his next outing.

Uslan said: "It's one of those deals where if I told you, I'd have to kill you."

He added that the first time he saw The Dark Knight, he was so happy he "wanted to cry".

Last year, director Christopher Nolan refused to confirm that he would direct a third Batman film.

He told the New York Times that he has to be emotionally invested in the story if he is to continue working on the series.

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Hilary Duff has been cast as infamous criminal Bonnie Parker in a new movie adaptation of her crime spree with Clyde Barrow, Variety has confirmed.

Independent film The Story Of Bonnie And Clyde will be directed by Tony S. Holly from her own script.

Duff will play the part made famous by Faye Dunaway in the 1967 film of the true-life Bonnie and Clyde tale, while Kevin Zegers will succeed Warren Beatty in the role of Clyde.

Earlier this month, Duff released the Personal Jesus-sampling 'Reach Out' as the lead single from her Best of Hilary Duff album.

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Sopranos creator David Chase has revealed the first details about his upcoming film project.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly at the Producers Guild Awards, Chase said: "It is in the early stages, I am just writing. It is about rock 'n' roll, but that is about all I am comfortable saying at this point."

Chase has previously voiced his desire to move away from the Mafia world he explored in HBO's The Sopranos. "He's been there, done that. He's moving on," an insider earlier told Variety.

Chase signed up to write, direct and produce the untitled film for Paramount last year.

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The Love Guru director Marco Schnabel will reportedly team with Larry Stuckey to write Girlfriend In A Coma.

According to Variety, the film is a satirical high school comedy that focuses on an unlikely romance.

The movie has been pitched to Fox Atomic, the department at Twentieth Century Fox which specialises in youth-orientated projects, including the forthcoming The Post Grad Survival Guide.

Baby Mama's Michael McCullers and 3 Arts will produce.

Stuckey's previous screen credits include 2004's Meet The Fockers, on which Schnabel was a second-unit director.

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Seth Rogen has denied reports that his superhero comedy The Green Hornet has been shelved by Sony.

Rumours emerged earlier in the week claiming that the big budget movie was "highly unlikely" to film this year, prompting studio Sony to ditch its intended June 25, 2010 release date.

The film first ran into trouble last month when Kung Fu Hustle's Stephen Chow withdrew from directing duties.

Speaking to Hitfix, Rogen insisted that making the release is still possible. "The Green Hornet has many people working for it, including production designers, costume designers and many conceptual artists, office staff, etc," he said.

"[The studio heads] have every intention on making it, and assuming we're able to hire a new director in the upcoming weeks, which seems like a distinct possibility, it should still hit the release date."

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Matt Damon has branded the character of James Bond "repulsive".

Speaking to the Miami Herald, the actor dismissed any similarities between the British spy and his own action franchise based on CIA agent Jason Bourne.

"They could never make a James Bond movie like any of the Bourne films," he said.

"Bond is an imperialist, misogynist sociopath who goes around bedding women and swilling martinis and killing people. He's repulsive."

The 38-year-old, who has starred in three Bourne movies, also criticised the Bond series for being too formulaic.

"[The director] Steve [Soderbergh] told me that years ago he was offered a Bond movie. He told them he'd do it if they gave him creative control," he said

"'Absolutely not', they said. They have a formula, they stick to it, and it makes them a lot of money. They know what they're doing, and they're going to keep doing it."

Damon previously accused the Bond character of being "dated", saying: "[He] will always be anchored in the 1960s and the values of the '60s."

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Protesters in India have vowed to burn effigies of director Danny Boyle in protest against the title of his Oscar-nominated film Slumdog Millionaire.

Some Indians have complained that the name of the movie insults people who live in slums.

Tateshwar Vishwakarma, the general secretary of a slum dwellers rights group, told the Indo-Asian News Service that he has filed a complaint against the film.

"Referring to people living in slums as dogs is a violation of human rights," he said. "We will burn Danny Boyle's effigies in 56 slums here."

Screenwriter Simon Beaufoy said: "I just made up the word. I liked the idea. I didn't mean to offend anyone."

One of the film's stars Anil Kapoor denied that the term was offensive, claiming that children from slums are "actually called much worse names".

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Twentieth Century Fox has reportedly agreed to develop the third instalment in the Chronicles Of Narnia franchise alongside Walden Media.

Walt Disney Pictures, which produced the first two instalments, pulled out of The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader last month, citing budgetary reasons.

According to Variety, Fox was entitled to the first crack at Dawn Treader because of the shared Fox Walden marketing and distributing label.

Fox 2000 will reportedly share the production costs, which are thought to be around $140 million (£100 million), with Walden Media.

The Horse Whisperer's Richard LaGravenese has penned the most recent script, while The World Is Not Enough director Michael Apted will helm the project. Andrew Adamson and Mark Johnson will take on producing duties.

The studio is likely to greenlight the project after budgetary and script concerns are settled.

Production is scheduled to begin in Australia this summer, with a slated holiday 2010 release date.

Ben Barnes, Skandar Keynes and Georgie Henley will reprise their roles, with Son Of Rambow star Will Poulter joining the cast as Eustace Clarence Scrubb.