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New MGM Seals First Project In Vin Diesel-Starrer 'The Machine

In what will be the first new production for the reconstituted MGM, the studio has set Vin Diesel to star in and produce The Machine. The action-comedy is being produced by Diesel's One Race Films along with Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant. They wrote the script. MGM will next set a director and start production in the fall.

Diesel will play a human-like machine created in secrecy by the Pentagon to be the world's first ultimate weapon. Some 20 years after the machine was decommissioned and buried, The Machine is discovered, reactivated and befriended by a kid. When the government  learns that The Machine is back in operation, the ultimate weapon's mission becomes to protect the family that is harboring him. Lennon and Garant's scripts include the Night at the Museum franchise and The Pacifier, the latter of which starred Diesel and was made by Spyglass. Since Spyglass's Roger Birnbaum, Gary Barber and Jonathan Glickman are calling the shots at MGM, it is a re-team across the board. I'm told the tone of the movie is somewhat similar to Iron Giant, the animated film with a protagonist that was voiced by Diesel. The hope is to create a franchise.

"We could not be happier to be partnering with Vin again, especially on a film with such classic themes that will appeal to his broad audience around the world," said Glickman, MGM Motion Picture Group president.

Deal comes as Diesel's most recent film, Fast Five, revs toward the $500 million worldwide-gross mark as the summer's first blockbuster. Pic's done $458 million in global ticket sales so far, and Diesel is in early discussions to take part in the sixth installment of the series that he and Paul Walker launched in 2001. Diesel is repped by CAA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners, Lennon and Garant by CAA and Principato-Young.

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Tommy Lee Jones for 'Great Hope Springs

Tommy Lee Jones has signed up to the comedy Great Hope Springs.

The Men in Black star will play Meryl Streep's husband in the film, which revolves around the on-screen couple's attempts to salvage their 30-year marriage through intensive therapy at a resort.

Steve Carrell will play the therapist who attempts to guide the pair through their problems.

The Devil Wears Prada helmer David Frankel will be directing from a script by Vanessa Taylor, which was high on the "Black List" of best unproduced comedies in Hollywood last year.

It was reported last year that True Grit star Jeff Bridges was in line to play the part of the husband, with Philip Seymour Hoffman in talks for the therapist.

Tommy Lee Jones will next be seen in The Sunset Limited and superhero film Captain America: The First Avenger.

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GI Joe' sequel 'will not be in 3D

GI Joe 2 will not be filmed in or converted to 3D, despite rumours to the contrary.

Director Jon Chu had previously said that he wanted the movie to be in the format.

Collider reports that the production, which will begin in August, will be shot in 2D and remain so for release.

Chu, best known for the Step Up dance series, told the site last month that he had been weighing up the potential for a 3D release.

"I think GI Joe is going to be perfect for [3D], but there are other factors that are built into it - how it slows you down, things like that," he said.

"I really want to do it in 3D, but the decision hasn't been made yet."

The director stepped in after Stephen Sommers departed the film following reported clashes with producers.

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I'm glad this wont be in 3D as I don't think every action or animated movie has to be in 3D

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Dark Knight Rises': First image of Tom Hardy as Bane

The first image of Tom Hardy as Bane in The Dark Knight Rises has been released.

The website for the long-awaited sequel TheDarkKnightRises.com recently went online, although it appeared only to consist of a black page with the sound of people chanting.

However, the noise was quickly deciphered through an audio programme, revealing the Twitter account "#thefirerises", which ultimately led to the discovery of the first picture of Hardy as the muscular nemesis.

Filming for the highly-anticipated superhero movie began earlier this month in London after recently completing scenes in Jodhpur, India. The Dark Knight Rises will later shoot in Pittsburgh, Los Angeles and New York.

The Christopher Nolan project, which stars Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Anne Hathaway and Morgan Freeman, will be released on July 20, 2012.

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Take a look at Tom Hardy as Bane below:

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Tom Conti, Modine join 'Dark Knight Rises'

Oscar nominee Tom Conti and Full Metal Jacket star Matthew Modine are amongst the latest actors to join The Dark Knight Rises.

Conti, who received an Academy Award nod for 1983's Reuben, Reuben and was recently seen in BBC sitcom Miranda, will take on an unknown role in the upcoming Batman sequel, while '80s favourite Modine has been cast as a character simply known as 'Nixon', Variety reports.

Also confirmed for Christopher Nolan's superhero picture is 11-year-old Joey King, who recently appeared in Battle: Los Angeles and will next make it onto the big screen with Steve Carell 'dramedy' Crazy, Stupid, Love.

The latest casting news follows yesterday's release of the first image of Tom Hardy as Batman villain Bane.

The Dark Knight Rises, which features an all-star cast including Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Marion Cotillard, recently began filming in London.

The movie is due for release in US and UK cinemas on July 20, 2012.

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Benedict Cumberbatch joins 'The Hobbit'

Martin Freeman has accidentally revealed that his Sherlock co-star Benedict Cumberbatch has landed a role in The Hobbit.

The actor made the revelation at the 2011 BAFTA Awards after the pair picked up the 'Best Drama' award for the BBC One detective series.

Speaking in the winners' press room, Freeman let slip to reporters that Cumberbatch would be working with him again very soon in Peter Jackson's Tolkien adaptation.

Cumberbatch added afterwards that his casting was supposed to have been kept secret and refused to disclose details about his character.

Freeman later went on to comment: "I knew I was a big mouth, I didn't know how much of a big mouth, and I've ruined everything. And now I might not have a job to go back to!"

Cumberbatch joins a cast which now includes Stephen Fry, Aidan Turner, Hugo Weaving and Sir Ian McKellen.

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Angelina Jolie dropped from 'Wanted'?

Angelina Jolie's character is "not crucial" to a possible sequel to the action thriller Wanted.

Director Timur Bekmambetov has hinted that there could be a follow-up to the 2008 film about a fed-up office worker who discovers he has inherited his father's assassin skills.

Speaking to MTV, he said: "The reality is we love [Jolie] and we'd love to do it with her, but also that story has such a big idea behind it that it can also go on without her."

He added that there had been discussion about making the second film because the idea remained "very interesting".

Bekmambetov is currently working on the adaptation of the mashup novel Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, which stars Benjamin Walker in the titular role. Rufus Sewell and Dominic Cooper also feature in the film.

Jolie admitted last year that one of the chief attractions of the role was acting alongside James McAvoy.

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Vin Diesel to take pay cut for 'Riddick'?

Vin Diesel has revealed that he is willing to take a pay cut to star in a much darker follow-up to The Chronicles of Riddick.

The actor confirmed to fans on Facebook that the production is likely to begin within a few months.

He wrote on his page: "[David Twohy] the writer/director just landed in New York with the good news. We can start filming this summer.

"However, there is a catch… in order for us to make a true R rated film, I must work for scale upfront."

Diesel added that pay was not a concern for him as the "real issue" is whether he can "momentarily venture to that dark place called Riddick".

He teased fans with details of the new movie last year, disclosing that he may have "three different looks" in the third film in the series.

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Vaughn: 'X-Men: First Class influenced by Bond

Matthew Vaughn has revealed that the world of X-Men: First Class was influenced by the James Bond films.

The new movie sees Magneto and Professor X meeting in the 1960s against the backdrop of the Cold War.

Speaking to Hitflix, Vaughn said: "There were two main influences I had. First, I watched all the early Bond movies again.

"You Only Live Twice, I watched a couple of times. I really wanted it to feel like a '60s Bond film, but with a little bit of reality it could be grounded in."

He also teased a follow-up to the movie that could open with the assassination of John F.Kennedy, who has been shot with a "magic bullet controlled by Magneto".

The helmer said last month that he was keen on making a sequel to the film which will see Magneto and Professor X in the late 1960s, the era of flower power.

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Ben Stiller ready to start 'Zoolander 2'

Ben Stiller has said that production on the long-awaited Zoolander sequel is almost ready to begin.

The actor confirmed earlier this year that he and co-writer Justin Theroux had finished a first draft for the sequel, and that it would potentially begin filming this year.

Stiller has now claimed that the sequel will pick up on several plot threads from the end of the original 2001 film.

"There are things set up at the end of the first movie that we're able to build on, like Derek and Matilda have a son, and Mugatu went to jail," Stiller revealed to Empire. "There's a lot there. I'm excited about the idea of doing it."

The sequel will be set ten years after the first film, and will allegedly follow Derek and Hansel as they attempt to get back into the fashion industry.

"[It's as if] ten years is a thousand years," the actor continued. "They're both totally out of it and have to start from scratch."

When asked about a potential start date for production, Stiller said: "It feels like it's getting close to going."

Despite Stiller's enthusiasm for the project, co-producer Stuart Cornfeld insisted that there are still some issue to be worked out.

"It's hard to get any movie made," he admitted. "It's frustrating, because I believe the script is incredible."

Owen Wilson has previously said that he would be keen to reprise his role as Hansel, while Superbad star Jonah Hill is rumoured to potentially star as the film's villain.

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Bill Nighy in talks to join 'Total Recall'?

Bill Nighy is in talks to join the cast of Len Wiseman's rebooted version of Total Recall.

Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel and Bryan Cranston are already signed for the remake of the 1990 film, which starred Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sharon Stone.

Nighy will take on the role of Quatto, the leader of the resistance against the oppressive government, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Wiseman's version has returned to Philip K. Dick's source material, with Colin Farrell in the lead as the factory worker who believes he is a spy but does not know whether he is employed by his own nation state or a neighbouring hostile one.

Farrell has revealed that the remake will be much darker than the original film helmed by Paul Verhoeven.

Ethan Hawke is to make a cameo appearance in Total Recall

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Jeff Bridges joins Ryan Reynolds in 'R.I.P.D.

Jeff Bridges has committed to starring in the adaptation of the undead comic R.I.P.D..

The True Grit star will be joining Ryan Reynolds, who has been attached to the production since 2010, The Wrap reports.

Bridges will replace Zach Galifianakis as the dead gunslinger Roy Powell, after the Due Date star had to drop out because of scheduling clashes.

Reynolds will be playing the recently-deceased Nick Cruz who is keen to take revenge on those that killed him.

R.I.P.D. centres on an average day in the Rest in Peace Department where Powell and Cruz work together keeping an eye on the undead population, producer Neil Moritz has said.

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Snow White's seven dwarfs are cast

The cast of Relativity's untitled Snow White project has been confirmed, following an announcement about who will star as the film's seven dwarfs.

Last month, The Blind Side actress Lily Collins was cast in the lead role of Snow White, alongside The Social Network star Armie Hammer, and Julia Roberts as the evil Queen.

The Bird Cage star Nathan Lane has now been confirmed as the Queen's servant Brighton, while Emmy Award-winning actress Mare Winningham and Elf star Michael Lerner have also been cast as Baker Margaret and Baron, respectively.

Relativity has also cast Mark Povinelli, Jordan Prentice, Danny Woodburn, Sebastian Saraceno, Ronald Lee Clark, Martin Klebba and Joey Gnoffo as the film's seven dwarfs.

Tarsem Singh is directing the project, which reimagines Snow White as an exiled princess who calls on the dwarfs for help in winning back her kingdom.

Relativity's Snow White is due for release in cinemas on March 16, 2012.

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Ryan Reynolds 'eyeing Green Lantern sequel

Ryan Reynolds has revealed that he is already considering the possibility of a sequel to Green Lantern.

The actor, who portrays the DC Comics superhero in the upcoming movie, said that he has continued his research of the character and storylines in case the success of the film spawns further productions in the franchise.

Speaking to Total Film, Reynolds said: "I looked ahead at a few other Green Lantern comics just in case we were doing a sequel or a third film, like where could this go? You do your due diligence before you sign on."

Reynolds, who is also preparing to portray Marvel Comics' Deadpool in a planned X-Men Origins: Wolverine spinoff, recently said that he is comfortable with playing two different superheroes from the competing publishers.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that Jeff Bridges will join Reynolds on the cast of a third comic-based movie, R.I.P.D.

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Uncharted' director David O. Russell quits movie

David O. Russell has left his position as writer and director on the Uncharted movie.

Creative differences between him and Sony had developed and his decision to leave was amicable, according to Variety.

Mark Wahlberg has so far been attached to the project as series protagonist Nathan Drake.

Joe Pesci and Robert Di Niro have been considered for the roles of Drake's brother and father respectively, characters which weren't featured in the games.

The Fighter director Russell had asked fans to "trust" him on the adaptation, saying that he was "respectful" of the source material and had played the games several times.

Sony will release two Uncharted games this year: Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception on PlayStation 3 and an Uncharted prequel on the NGP.

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Zach Braff joins 'Oz, the Great and Powerful

Zach Braff has signed up for a supporting role in Sam Raimi's Oz: The Great and Powerful.

The actor will join confirmed cast members James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz and Michelle Williams.

Braff will take on the role of the Wizard's loyal assistant Frank in the prequel to the 1939 fantasy film, according to Deadline.

Oz, The Great and Powerful centres on the arrival of the snake oil salesman (Franco) in Oz and his romantic involvement with the three witches.

The part marks Braff's first major on-screen role since his own directorial debut with Garden State in 2004, though he recently said that he is keen to star in an action film.

He has also turned to playwriting, with production on Oz starting after his first Broadway play, titled All the People, opens on July 25.

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Avengers' movie to feature Thanos?

Marvel's superhero team-up The Avengers is to feature the villain Thanos, a report has suggested.

According to Latino Review, the Titan and avatar of Death is to appear alongside Loki as one of the movie's antagonists.

"Now I'm not going to spoil how he is in the movie, but trust me when we tell you that he is in there," the report stated. "If you think about it, it is also kind of obvious."

Marvel has previously hinted that Thanos will be introduced into its movie universe. At last year's Comic-Con International, the studio brought along a prop of the character's Infinity Gauntlet. The item was also seen briefly in an Asgardian Vault in Thor.

Previous rumours have suggested that the superhero team will square off against the alien race known as Skrulls in the film.

The Avengers arrives in US and UK cinemas on May 4, 2012.

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Reunion On 'American Reunion' Complete: Shannon Elizabeth Signs For Fourquel

EXCLUSIVE: Welcome back Nadia! Shannon Elizabeth, who had been one of the last holdouts from the original American Pie cast, has signed on to appear in the upcoming Universal-produced fourquel, American Reunion. She will join her co-stars Jason Biggs, Seann William Scott, Alyson Hannigan, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Chris Klein, Eugene Levy, Tara Reid, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Jennifer Coolidge and Mena Suvari who are all set to return. Elizabeth will reprise her role as Czech exchange student Nadia, which she played in the first and second American Pie movies. She is slated to start next week in Atlanta where the movie will be filmed. Harold & Kumar writers Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg penned the script and are directing American Reunion, which will feature the gang returning to East Great Falls for their high-school reunion. Craig Perry, Chris Moore and Warren Zide are producing, with Chris and Paul Weitz exec producing. That '70s Show alumna Elizabeth is with Buchwald/Fortitude and Steve Greener

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Orlando Bloom joins 'Hobbit,' has not aged, according to Peter Jackson

Orlando Bloom was there and is now back again: Peter Jackson announced via his Facebook page today that Bloom, who portrayed Legolas in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, is the latest to join The Hobbit. “Ten years ago, Orlando Bloom created an iconic character with his portrayal of Legolas,” Jackson wrote. “I’m excited to announce today that we’ll be revisiting Middle Earth with him once more. I’m thrilled to be working with Orlando again. Funny thing is, I look older — and he doesn’t! I guess that’s why he makes such a wonderful elf.”

This latest casting announcement means The Hobbit is turning into one helluva Lord of the Rings reunion. Cate Blanchett, Elijah Wood, Andy Serkis, and Ian McKellen are all on board to star in the adaptation of the J.R.R. Tolkien book.

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Alexandra Burke offered 'Bodyguard' lead?

Alexandra Burke has reportedly been offered the lead role in a West End adaptation of the 1992 romantic thriller The Bodyguard.

The former X Factor winner is said to have been tapped for the part played by singer Whitney Houston in the original film, after the show's producers were impressed by her voice.

"Alexandra is torn," a source told The Sun. "The show would be an amazing gig and especially in London while the Olympics are on and it's in the spotlight.

"But she also has her second album to think about."

Burke recently said that work was going well on the follow-up to her number one debut album Overcome.

Warner Bros. has confirmed that it is in the process of producing a remake of The Bodyguard.

Theatre bosses are hoping to have the West End version of the movie ready to launch in 2012.

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