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Barry Humphries to join 'The Hobbit

Barry Humphries has joined the cast of The Hobbit.

The Australian actor and comedian, who is best known as the man behind character Dame Edna Everage, has accepted the role of the Goblin King in the upcoming Peter Jackson-directed movie.

Jackson wrote on Facebook: "Barry is perhaps best known for his business and social connections as the long-time manager of Dame Edna Everage. He has also been an ardent supporter of the rather misunderstood and unfairly maligned Australian politician, Sir Les Patterson.

"However, in his spare time, Barry is also a fine actor, and we're looking forward to seeing him invest the Goblin King with the delicate sensitivity and emotional depth this character deserves."

Benedict Cumberbatch was recently confirmed as a voice of dragon Smaug in the Lord of the Rings prequel.

Sir Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Sir Ian Holm, Sir Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood and Andy Serkis will reprise their roles from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, while cast newcomers include Richard Armitage, Stephen Fry, Sylvester McCoy, Bret McKenzie, James Nesbitt, Lee Pace, Aidan Turner and Luke Evans.

The Hobbit movies will be divided into two parts. The first movie, An Unexpected Journey, will be released on December 14, 2012. The second film, There and Back Again, follows on December 13, 2013.

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Evangeline Lilly joins cast of 'The Hobbit

Evangeline Lilly has become the latest addition to the cast of The Hobbit.

The former Lost star, who gave birth to her first child with boyfriend Norman Kali last month, will play an elf called Tauriel in Peter Jackson's adaptation of the JRR Tolkien novel.

Jackson wrote on his official Facebook page: "Evangeline Lilly will be playing a new character - the Woodland Elf, Tauriel. Her name means 'daughter of Mirkwood' and, beyond that, we must leave you guessing! (No, there is no romantic connection to Legolas.)

"What is not a secret is how talented and compelling an actress Evangeline is; we are thrilled and excited she will be the one to bring our first true Sylvan Elf to life."

Jackson also confirmed that the first block of shooting has now finished and that location scouting for the second production block is underway.

He added: "Evangeline and Barry [Humphries], along with Welsh actor Luke Evans as Bard and Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug, just about rounds out the major casting. I cannot wait to get stuck into these new scenes!"

Lilly's former partner Dominic Monaghan made his movie breakthrough in Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy playing hobbit Merry Brandybuck.

The Hobbit will be divided into two parts.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be released on December 14, 2012 and will be followed by The Hobbit: There and Back Again on December 13, 2013

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Simon Pegg for bigger 'Mission: Impossible' role

Simon Pegg has revealed that his role in the upcoming Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol is more substantial than in the third film.

The Paul star will reprise his role as Benji Dunn, a colleague of Tom Cruise's former character Ethan Hunt.

He told Collider: "I had two days on Mission: Impossible III. That was it. I did seven months on the fourth one so yeah, I go back."

Pegg added that it seemed unlikely that Cruise would make an appearance to hand over his secret agent duties to his replacement Jeremy Renner.

"Looking at the film as it is, I don't think so. It's anyone's guess really," he said of a possible Cruise cameo. "It certainly sets up a new IMF agent who can return and who is an Ethan level player. We'll see. I honestly don't know."

Pegg has described the fourth Mission: Impossible film as a reboot of the franchise rather than a sequel.

He recently admitted to Digital Spy that the chances of him and writing partner Nick Frost making a Paul sequel are slim.

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol opens in US and UK cinemas on December 16.

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Megan Fox joins Sacha Baron Cohen's 'Dictator

Megan Fox has signed up to the cast of Sacha Baron Cohen's new comedy The Dictator.

The ex-Transformers actress's role in the film is being kept secret, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Cohen's film, which is to be directed by Borat's Larry Charles, will centre on the "heroic story of a dictator who risked his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed".

Paramount Studios has said that the screenplay is based on the novel Zabibah and the King by Saddam Hussein.

Ben Kingsley and Anna Faris have already been confirmed for the comedy.

Megan Fox recently wrapped up Kissing Jessica Stein director Jennifer Westfeldt's new comedy Friends with Kids.

She has been attached to several projects since being dropped from the Transformers series by director Michael Bay.

Bay claimed that Fox's description of him as "Hitler" had prompted producer Steven Spielberg to call for her sacking from the franchise.

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Ron Howard to direct Formula 1 movie 'Rush'?

Ron Howard has reportedly been lined up to direct a Formula 1 movie.

The project, titled Rush, is currently in development and will chart the rivalry between world champions Niki Lauda and James Hunt in the 1970s.

Green Zone director Paul Greengrass had originally been attached to the project, according to the Los Angeles Times's 24 Frames blog.

However, two anonymous production insiders claim that he has since departed to pursue other projects.

A representative for Howard told Entertainment Weekly that his adaptation of Stephen King's Dark Tower books would still begin production early next year.

Lauda, who is a triple Formula 1 world champion, almost lost his life in a serious accident at the 1976 German Grand Prix which left him with severe scarring from burns.

He now works as a motorsports commentator for German broadcaster RTL.

Hunt, who was famed for his playboy lifestyle and eccentricity on and off the track, won the world championship once in 1976 with McLaren.

He later worked alongside Murray Walker as a commentator for the BBC, but died of a heart attack in 1993 at the age of 45.

Peter Morgan, who collaborated with Howard on Frost/Nixon, has written the script for Rush.

The movie is currently being pitched to Hollywood studios, and it is envisioned that shooting will begin in Europe later this year.

It was reported last year that I Am Number Four actor Alex Pettyfer hopes to play Hunt in a self-produced adaptation of Tom Rubython's biography Shunt: The Story of James Hunt.

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Jennifer Lopez in talks for Jason Statham movie

Jennifer Lopez has entered talks to star in two new movie projects.

The American Idol judge is circling Jason Statham action film Parker, about a thief who gets romantically involved with a woman named Leslie (Lopez) as he prepares a heist.

Taylor Hackford (Ray) is directing the movie based on a novel series by Donald Westlake. Mel Gibson and Lee Marvin have previously played versions of the Parker character in Payback and Point Blank respectively.

Lopez is also discussing the possibility of taking a supporting role opposite Cameron Diaz and Glee's Matthew Morrison in What To Expect When You're Expecting, reports Deadline.

The project, to be directed by Everybody's Fine helmer Kirk Jones, is based on the best-selling childbirth how-to guide.

Lopez last appeared on-screen in romantic comedy The Back-up Plan.

The 'On the Floor' singer is allegedly planning to embark on a world tour to promote her new album Love?. She recently said that she is still unsure about returning to judge another season of American Idol.

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Jason Momoa to star opposite Sylvester Stallone

Game of Thrones star Jason Momoa has joined the cast of Sylvester Stallone's new film.

The actor will portray the cop killer Keegan in director Walter Hill's as-of-yet untitled movie, according to Latino Review.

Stallone will portray the protagonist Jimmy Bobo, a New Orleans hitman, while Sung Kang (Fast Five) will play a New York police officer. The two team up in order to track down those responsible for killing their respective partners.

The film is an adaptation of the graphic novel Bullet to the Head penned by Alexis Nolent. It is scheduled to begin production in Louisiana by the end of the month.

Momoa was most recently seen playing the Dothraki leader Khal Drogo on Game of Thrones. Momoa stated that he was blown away when he read the script for the last episode.

The 31-year-old can be seen next in the remake of Conan the Barbarian, which Momoa has described as a "revenge story".

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James Cameron 'not planning Avatar trilogy

James Cameron has revealed that the upcoming Avatar sequels will not round out a trilogy.

The Titanic director stated that he is writing two separate scripts for Avatar 2 and Avatar 3 respectively, promising that the films will each be able to stand alone, according to Fox News.

"We're shooting two films back-to-back, so I'm writing two scripts, not one, which will complete a free-film story arc - not really a trilogy, but just an overall character arc so I'm pretty excited about that," Cameron said.

Cameron went on to state that while he feels the pressure to write quality sequels, he is not letting himself become overly stressed.

"There's always an expectation," the 56-year-old said. "I had to deal with that after The Terminator back in 1984. All of a sudden I had a big hit movie and it was, 'What are you doing next?' But my job is take the audience on a journey and entertain them. The second I am sitting down writing, I just go to Pandora. The characters have their own lives."

Ioan Gruffudd recently described Cameron as having a "Jekyll and Hyde" personality, claiming that while the director can be difficult on set, he is perfectly charming off set.

Cameron predicted in April that there will be a 100% take-up of 3D technology in cinemas over the next five years, stating that he also hopes to see an expansion of the technology into the home.

The two Avatar sequels are scheduled to be released in December 2014 and 2015 respectively.

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Isla Fisher, Ed Helms join 'What to Expect'

Isla Fisher has signed on to star in What to Expect When You're Expecting.

The Confessions of a Shopaholic actress will play a part that had initially been offered to Bridesmaids star Kristen Wiig, according to New York Magazine. Wiig reportedly turned down the role due to her commitment to Saturday Night Live.

The Hangover Part II star Ed Helms is also in talks to portray an expectant father in the adaptation of the bestselling pregnancy bible.

In addition, it was reported earlier today that Jennifer Lopez is under consideration for a supporting role in What to Expect When You're Expecting.

Cameron Diaz will star in the film as the head of the ensemble cast.

What to Expect When You're Expecting tells the story of six different couples that are expecting a child, following them up to the delivery of their babies.

Filming on What to Expect When You're Expecting is scheduled to start in four weeks for a May 11, 2012 release date.

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Jamie Foxx 'in final talks for Tarantino's Django

Jamie Foxx is in final talks for a role in Django Unchained.

The musician and Oscar-winning actor is the first choice of director Quentin Tarantino, according to Deadline.

Foxx, who was first linked with the part last week, is apparently close to finalising a deal to play the eponymous lead role.

Men in Black III star Will Smith and The Wire's Idris Elba were also rumoured to be in contention for the part of Django.

Tarantino's latest project is said to be a spaghetti western inspired by Sergio Corbucci's 1966 movie Django.

Foxx's previous major credits include his Oscar-winning role as Ray Charles in the biopic Ray, taxi driver Max Durocher in Michael Mann's thriller Collateral and music mogul Curtis Taylor, Jr in Dreamgirls.

His fellow Academy Award winner Christoph Waltz and Inception star Leonardo DiCaprio will also reportedly join the cast of Django Unchained.

The movie will be released by The Weinstein Company on Christmas Day 2012.

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'Iron Man 3' to begin next year, says Don Cheadle

Iron Man 3 will begin shooting next February, according to star Don Cheadle.

The actor, who plays superhero Tony Stark's (Robert Downey Jr) confidant James 'Rhodey' Rhodes, also suggested that his character may get a War Machine movie spinoff.

"Iron Man 3 is coming back. We'll probably do that again in February and there's talk of a War Machine spinoff, which I guess, unless I get recast, I would probably do," he told Collider.

Asked if he'll be appearing in Marvel ensemble project The Avengers, featuring Iron Man, Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Cheadle said: "Not this one that they're shooting right now. Thank God!"

He continued: "I have a contract to be in The Avengers but I'm glad they haven't exercised that option yet. I need some down time."

Iron Man 3 is currently expected to hit cinemas on May 3, 2013, with Shane Black (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) replacing Jon Favreau in the director's chair.

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Tom Wilkinson up for 'Lone Ranger'?

Tom Wilkinson is reportedly in early talks to star in Lone Ranger.

The Green Hornet star could appear alongside confirmed cast members Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer, Variety reports.

He is said to be up for a part as a railroad tycoon who is pivotal to the Lone Ranger and Tonto's mission.

Shooting is not expected to begin until Depp and Hammer wrap up Dark Shadows and Snow White respectively.

The film, helmed by Gore Verbinski, is scheduled to be released in December 2012 in US cinemas.

Wilkinson will next be seen in The Conspirator, in which he will play US congressman Reverdy Johnson.

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Julia Ormond for Superman film 'Man of Steel

Julia Ormond is in negotiations to join the cast of Zack Snyder's forthcoming Superman reboot Man of Steel, it has been revealed.

The British actress will play Superman's (Henry Cavill) biological mother Lara Lor-Van, Deadline reports. Russell Crowe was recently offered to role of Jor-El, the Kryptonian father of the legendary superhero.

Man of Steel also stars Kevin Costner, Diane Lane, Amy Adams and Michael Shannon. It is being produced by Christopher Nolan.

In April, Ormond joined the cast of Law & Order: Criminal Intent as Dr Paula Severin, a police psychologist who is assigned to treat Detective Goren (Vincent D'Onofrio).

The actress has previously starred in the TV series CSI: New York, as well as the movies The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Legends of the Fall.

Man of Steel is expected to be released in December 2012.

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Ryan Gosling 'won't rush Logan's Run remake

Ryan Gosling has said that he and director Nicholas Winding Refn won't rush their planned Logan's Run movie.

The duo, whose new film Drive screened at the Cannes Film Festival and opens in cinemas this September, will remake the cult '70s science fiction film with producer Joel Silver and Warner Bros.

"Joel said the other night, 'Take your time and make it good. It doesn't have to be ready at any point'," Gosling told the Los Angeles Times.

The 1976 Logan's Run took place in a utopian world where life must end at 30. Michael York starred as Logan, a "Sandman" who tracks down those who try to escape death. It is based on William F. Nolan's novel, in which the age of termination is 21.

Refn noted that the original movie is "dated in the sense that everything came true".

"They've been trying to make it for years with the notion of just trying to remake the original movie," he said. "And it has to be rethought."

Bryan Singer and Tron: Legacy director Joseph Kosinski have previously tried to mount remakes of Logan's Run.

"We'll put together a team of futurists and artists and we'll dream on this world," Gosling said.

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James McAvoy to star in Danny Boyle's 'Trance'?

James McAvoy is reportedly in early talks to star in Danny Boyle's art heist thriller Trance.

The X-Men: First Class star would replace Michael Fassbender, according to Variety.

Trance centres on the efforts of a criminal gang to recover a stolen painting, the whereabouts of which is unknown after their art gallery accomplice suffers a blow to the head.

McAvoy's character is forced to hire a hypnotist in order to work out where the assistant left the goods.

He is currently also attached to crime thriller Welcome to the Punch and will next be seen voicing a character in the animated Arthur Christmas.

Trance will be shot in September with the goal of a spring 2013 release, after Boyle finishes co-ordinating the opening ceremony for next year's Olympics.

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Emma Thompson to adapt 'Annie' with Will Smith?

Emma Thompson is reportedly planning to collaborate with Will Smith on a remake of Annie.

The Men In Black stars would adapt the musical into a vehicle for Smith's daughter Willow, Vulture reports.

Jay-Z and Will Smith announced the project earlier in the year, with Columbia Pictures confirming that it will finance the movie.

The two musicians and Smith's wife Jada Pinkett-Smith first collaborated together on last year's Tony-award nominated musical Fela!.

Thompson both scripted and acted in the Nanny McPhee films, and received an Academy Award for her adaptation of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility.

She will next be seen reprising her role as agency head Oh in Men in Black III, starring alongside Smith and Tommy Lee Jones.

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Jennifer Lopez joins 'What to Expect

Jennifer Lopez has officially signed on to star in What to Expect When You're Expecting.

The American Idol judge was previously said to be considering a supporting role in the film alongside Cameron Diaz.

Lopez has now been confirmed as a member of the cast of What to Expect When You're Expecting, according to The Wrap.

Based on the bestselling pregnancy bible, What to Expect When You're Expecting tells the story of six different couples that are expecting a child, following them up to the delivery of their babies.

Confessions of a Shopaholic actress Isla Fisher signed on to the cast of What to Expect When You're Expecting earlier this week. The Hangover Part II's Ed Helms is in talks for the film as well.

Lopez recently revealed that she is still uncertain whether she will return to American Idol for another season. The 41-year-old is mulling over several options for the future, including doing a movie or going on tour.

What to Expect When You're Expecting is scheduled to open on Mother's Day weekend in 2012

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Wolverine' script endorsed by Marvel writer

The Wolverine's screenplay has been endorsed by influential Marvel writer Chris Claremont.

The X-Men scribe praised the script and paid tribute to screenwriter Chris McQuarrie.

"[I like it] very much," he told Graphic NYC. "That's all I can say. Chris McQuarrie is brilliant."

The Wolverine is a sequel to Gavin Hood's 2009 superhero spinoff X-Men Origins: Wolverine. The film is reportedly inspired by Claremont and Frank Miller's 1982 Wolverine miniseries.

Darren Aronofsky was originally on hand to direct the film before family commitments forced him to exit the project. He was recently replaced by Knight And Day helmer James Mangold.

An official release date for The Wolverine is yet to be confirmed.

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'Spy Kids 4' to screen in 4D with 'smell technology

Spy Kids: All the Time in the World will be screened using Aromascope technology, it has been announced.

The fourth instalment in the children's franchise will allow viewers to interact with the film through their sense of smell, according to a press release from Dimension Films.

"This innovative and celebrated franchise will now be the first to introduce audiences to the new adventure of 4D where they will have eight special opportunities throughout the movie to access the action interactively through smell," reads the release.

"The introduction of scent in the movie going experience adds to the outrageous fun by enhancing the action, adventure and comedy to take you where no film has gone before."

Director Robert Rodriguez expressed his enthusiasm at the addition of Aromascope, stating that the fourth dimension will be free.

"Families are going to love the interactivity of this new addition to the movie going experience. And best of all, you won't have to pay extra for 4D Aromascope, which will be provided to every theatre whether it be 2D or 3D," said Rodriguez.

Spy Kids: All the Time in the World follows a retired spy who must return to her old profession in order to prevent a villain from stopping time.

Spy Kids: All the Time in the World stars Community actor Joel McHale and Jessica Alba. It is slated to be released on August 19.

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What a stupid idea in my opinion

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'Law & Order: SVU' star to join 'Superman'

Christopher Meloni is reportedly in final negotiations to join the cast of Zack Snyder's Superman: The Man of Steel.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit regular is close to signing on for an unknown part in the film, which will see him share several scenes with lead actor Henry Cavill.

Meloni is best known for his role as Detective Elliot Stabler on the NBC crime drama, although recent reports suggest that he has decided not to return for the show's 13th season.

Superman: The Man of Steel already boasts an impressive ensemble cast including Amy Adams, Antje Traue, Michael Shannon, Diane Lane and Kevin Costner.

Earlier this month, both Russell Crowe and Julia Ormond were linked to the roles of Superman's Kryptonian parents Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van.

Superman: The Man of Steel will begin filming this fall for an expected release in December 2012.

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