In an extremely odd, but not entirely surprising announcement, Variety is reporting that Sony Pictures has bought the film rights to the Hasbro board game Risk. Brian Goldner and Bennett Schneir of Hasbro will co-produce the adaptation with Sony Pictures and Will Smith and James Lassiter’s Overbrook Entertainment.

With the recent success of the Hasbro-lined Transformers and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, studios are recognizing and seizing the opportunity for name recognition and branding. Just think of how many more copies of the Risk board game will be sold just on the basis of this news alone.

Last year, Hasbro did sign a six-year deal with Universal to produce at least four movies. The two plan on initiating the collaboration with Battleship on July 1, 2011, directed by Peter Berg (The Kingdom, Hancock). The “board game” genre looks to be gaining steam, as Universal also bought the rights to Candy Land, while Michael Bay wants to produce a Oujia film for Platinum Dunes and Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean) is tapped to revisit Clue – which was originally made into a cult classic in 1985.

“The strategic thinking and the tactical gambles that players must take in the game are what make Risk a classic, thoroughly engaging game,” said Columbia prexy Doug Belgrad. “Those elements translated into an action-packed, thrilling story are what will make this a uniquely exciting movie.”

I’m glad Doug is confident, because I can’t picture this thing working at all. I get Peter Berg’s Battleship – which could be made into a naval wartime drama along the lines of U-571 – but I don’t get this. Nevertheless, it should be interesting to say the least what direction Sony goes with this.

We reported on a fifth Rambo film, now it seems another action franchise is getting ready for a sequel, as Columbia Pictures is developing a third “Bad Boys” film.  The Hollywood Reporter says the studio has hired Peter Craig to begin work on the script, with the hope that all those involved with the first two films will return for this one.  The only problem will be finding the time and money to get Will Smith (I Am Legend), Michael Bay (Transformers) and Martin Lawrence (Wild Hogs) back together for a third film.

Will Smith and Michael Bay would seem to be the hardest to nail down because of their schedules, and of the three stars, their paychecks will be the biggest. The last film, 2007’s Bad Boys II, grossed $273 million worldwide, so this news is no surprise. Now that Smith is the #1 Box Office star and Bay just did another Transformers, I bet their paychecks alone eat up at least $50 million of the third films budget. I do hope that the next film will be shorter than the last, Bad Boys II suffered from its overly long running time IMO, but it was still an entertaining flick. I personally hope that Michael Bay will shoot another Bad Boys before he does the inevitable Transformers 3.  I feel his more adult movies are better than anything else he does. What do you make of this news? Will you be lining up for another Bad Boys?

Director Peter Berg, who shot Will Smith in last year’s hit Hancock, is talking about a possible sequel to the original.  If you don’t mind some spoilers, here goes the rest.  During a discussion with SciFiWire there were a few things mentioned in the article that you might be interested in:

At the end of last year’s Hancock, it was revealed that Will Smith’s superpowered character was actually an immortal god who became vulnerable only when in the presence of his goddess companion (Charlize Theron). Berg confirmed that a sequel would elaborate on the film’s mythology.

“There might be another god out there,” Berg said. “Might be another one.”

Berg also confirmed that the subplot of Jason Bateman’s publicist character should pick up where it left off in Hancock, where he’s starting his charity campaign.

Of course, Columbia Pictures would love another Will Smith blockbuster for the earliest possible summer position. Smith and Berg, however, are in no rush. “They’d like to fast-track it, but Will’s busy, I’m pretty busy,” Berg continued. “We’re excited to do one, but we want the script to be right and the movie to be right. We don’t feel a burning imperative to go right back into it.”

What do you think about this? Any interest in a sequel if it does go into production?  Do the early (possible) plot tweaks affect how you feel about the mythology of the first film?  Does that even matter to you in this case?  I actually enjoyed Hancock, probably more than the average critic but about as much as the movie going public in general.  Smith is one of those actors (probably nearly the only one in the greater public’s eyes) where you can’t help but be attracted to his charisma.  The story was at least reasonably original and although the near-end battle lacked a little in my book, the idea of an isolated hero who battles alcoholism, loneliness, and struggles to gain public acceptance remain the themes that stayed with me longer than the missteps the film took.  I would be on board with a sequel to this movie, over a sequel to several other films that are being green-lit these days so, I am interested if it happens.

Will Smith will rejoin his I Am Legend director, Francis Lawrence for the Andrew Niccol penned The City That Sailed, this according to THR.  I will caution that neither one appears to be fully committed to the project just yet.

The story for the film sounds to have some fantastical similarities to Up crossed with Imagine That, at least in principle.  It centers around a street magician (and who doesnt love those?) in the Big Apple who is separated from his young daughter over difficult family issues and the daughter ends up in England.  She stumbles upon some magical candles in an old lighthouse that allow here to be reunited with her dad, as she makes a wish blowing out the candles.  Or something like that.  Then pops floats overseas and presumably things are all to the good.  Smith’s daughter just wants to be with him that bad.  In real-life this would make sense, Smith has a truckload of cash, is affable and popular, and probably cares about his family more than anything.  In the movie sense, it almost sounds like the daughter has a larger role than Willie would, though purely speculative.

Niccol wrote Nic Cage’s underrated Lord of War and directed Ethan Hawke in Gattaca, but that tells us little about what might be at play here.  It sounds like a large departure from I Am Legend in theory for Lawrence.  Not sure what to make of all this.  It’s reminescent of Eddie Murphy or Adam Sandler going the family route, something Smith hasnt’ really done much of off the top of my head.  This one wouldn’t replace the anticipation of seeing Smith in a darker role in the remake of Oldboy (a brilliant original film), but anything with Big Willie deserves recoginition as a top-flight project.  He had a massive string of $100mm plus hits that was broke with his lating outing, the disappointing Seven Pounds, but the ex-rapper remains the most bankable star in Hollywood to date.  While we get it, it might be something that “Parents Just Don’t Understand.”  Hilarious, I know.

As it is “Michael Mann Week” here at The Film Nest (our first official “person week”), one of the keys to making the whole week fly skyward is the Career Retrospective piece.  Mann has been the perfect subject to take a closer look at, as he has a long history of success in film, he has been an innovator, he has a distinct style, and he is renowned for his directorial and writing prowess.  He has brought together big name stars, and subsequently made even bigger stars of them.  He is a marksman that crafts what are simply some of the most beautiful and tense environments around.  He is known for directing realistic action in particular, reaching a plane that few others are on.  He is the anti-Michael Bay in that regard, yet can easily go toe-to-toe with him in the action department.

Mann went to London Film School in the 1960′s and after cutting his teeth in various forms of entertainment media, he eventually directed his first feature for cinema with 1981′s Thief.  We won’t look at that project here, as it was discussed at length earlier this week in a First Features piece.  We wanted to take a brief look at several of the director’s other films though, both home runs and missteps, and perhaps give you some anecdotal information on them along the way.  As for Public Enemies, released into theaters this week and in large part the reason for our celebration of Michael’s works at this time, you can get our full review on the film later this week.

Manhunter (1986)

The original prequel to the Silence of the Lambs, based on the Thomas Harris novel, this film showed hints of the Mann that we would come to know over the next two decades.  An underrated film, better than its reinterpretation in 2002′s Red Dragon by Brett Ratner, Manhunter had little known Brian Cox as Hannibal Lecter and William Peterson of “CSI” fame as the FBI agent tracking him.  I wasn’t expecting this to be the treat it was when I saw it, but Mann racheted up the tension and scored solid acting from the leads involved.

Neon light in the dark room for "Manhunter."

The vivid color palette that Mann has become recognized for was present here, as he began to develop the artistic camera angles that I love seeing in his films.  The emotional struggle that grips Peterson’s character is one of the films highlights as this is far less about Lecter than Demme’s brilliant “Silence” is, but the intensity of a man tracking that serial killer is embodied thoroughly with a director clearly growing into his craft, understanding how to helm a thriller on a ground, realistic, and intense level.  Recommended for those that are interested in Mann’s works and also those who have followed Hopkins signature role of Lecter, to see what another capable actor did with the role, long before Hopkins set his face into the half leather mask.

The Last of the Mohicans (1992)

A decade before Tom Cruise was The Last Samurai, Daniel Day-Lewis was The Last of the Mohicans. DDL is Hawkeye, formerly Nathanial, the adopted white son of Chingachgook and honorary Mohican. The film takes place in 1757, during the French and Indian War as the British and French struggle for control of North America. Cora and Alice, daughters of British Colonel Munro, are escorted from Albany, New York to Fort William Henry, some sixty miles north. Their escort troops are betrayed by a supposed Mohican, Magua, who is actually a member of the Huron tribe, allied with the French. The bloodshed is stopped just short of 100% as Hawkeye and company save the women and their primary escort, Major Heyward from death. Cora grows infatuated with Hawkeye as he does likewise, while politics and war play out around them.

Day-Lewis on the move in "Mohicans."

Michael Mann adapted the film from a 1936 movie of the same name, itself an adaptation of a novel authored by James Fenimore Cooper. Mann flexed his attention-to-detail muscle in a true period piece. The film is renowned mainly for its lush cinematography by Dante Spinotti (their second team-up after Manhunter) and the hauntingly beautiful score by Randy Edelman and Trevor Jones. It probably wasn’t too difficult to elicit a strong performance from method actor Day-Lewis, but it proved to be a worthy departure from the criminal tales Mann would become known for. Not the masterpiece its name in hindsight seems to evoke, but a strong entry nonetheless.

Heat (1995)

The film that catapulted Mann into the consciousness of most.  This is a stellar cops and robbers tale featuring a multitude of performers you may not have known by name but rather recognized at the time by face, like Danny Trejo, Tom Sizemore, Dennis Haysbert and Amy Brenneman; or a young Ashley Judd opposite Val Kilmer.  While it is perhaps most revered as the film that brought Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino together for a film and a special scene of layered dialogue (shot at Kate Mantillini’s on Wilshire Blvd. here in LA), it is equally memorable for Mann’s filming of the intense shootout that we showed in our Classic Scenes earlier this week.

Mann working the cool blue color palette in "Heat."

His filming at dusk, which in my opinion, is one of the most identifiable shot traits he has is ubiquitous here.  He will often frame actors in a soft glow that makes them appear to be floating against an atmospheric backdrop.  This film defines who Mann is to most more than any other and showed that he could work with the best around, garnering him legions of fans both within and outside of the movie industry.  Perhaps strangely, it really didn’t become a mega-hit until video via word of mouth.

The Insider (1999)

I mentioned Mann’s ability to take an actor and catapult their careers forward, well, his partnership with Russell Crowe as a notorious whistle-blower whose life is vastly altered over the course of several years, is almost the thing of legend.  Al Pacino plays real-life journalist Lowell Bergman in the semi-biographical piece (that played as a thriller), a film type that Mann would explore more deeply in his next film as well.  This is Mann’s finest work to date in my eyes, although that is like splitting hairs when a man has the filmography that Mann has.

A hotel room background comes to life in "The Insider."

Mann ultimately knows that actors are his greatest weapons and he unleashes Crowe, letting him transform from a stable man to one on the brink of collapse.  A masterpiece of understated acting bravado, Crowe was recognized with an Oscar nomination (the year he should have won), and Mann a directing nomination, just two of 7, including one for Best Picture that the film would earn.  It is not the crowd-pleasing work that fans might have wanted after Heat, but Mann shows a dedication to taking on new challenges and risks, reverting back to simply creating an intensity that few films can rival.  Must see cinema.

Ali (2001)

Mann again shows his skill as a director getting an action hero and former rapper, named Will Smith to morph himself into an acting powerhouse, as he became boxing great Muhammed Ali for this film, both physically and emotionally.  Both Smith and Jon Voight, as the charismatic announcer Howard Cosell, would earn Oscar nominations for the film, and a former comedian named Jamie Foxx gave a noteworthy performance as the troubled Bundini Brown, proving he could do drama, something he capitalized on in another biography Ray.

Taking an angle on a 'roided up Smith in "Ali."

This is a film where Mann’s notorious attention to detail actually worked against his audiences wishes.  It is very flowing and poetic, as well as a bit long, something that most audiences weren’t looking for, and it was a letdown in that regard marking it as a significant box office misfire, given the star and subject.  People usually prefer a more literal biographical translation on screen, and for one with a person as iconic as Ali, the film achieved mixed results.  It probably deserves a second chance but is not likely to ever reach the status of some of his earlier works.

Collateral (2004)

This is the film that reset Mann in his “comfort” zone, with superstar Tom Cruise acting opposite Foxx in a pulsating film about the transformation of one man’s life when juxtaposed against the near certainty of death.  Cruise locks into his character as Vincent, a hitman out to ice five important members in a trial in a single night.  He gives just enough humanity to a hired assassin to make you long to see more of him in these types of roles.  Foxx slowly transforms from a wayward, shy cab driver into a confident man with nothing to lose.  This is another film featuring lush photography and great music, with Mann balancing the pace of the film with thrilling moments and softer, quieter ones.

Cruise and Foxx playing hide and seek in "Collateral."

Following Mann’s shots, you can tell the seasoning he has had at the helm, not merely shooting a cab driving, where a large portion of the film takes place, but shooting shots of its reflection on buildings, or overhead shots that break up the monotony of the claustrophobic cab space.  Upon its theatrical run, this was seen as a slight misfire at the box office, never really taking off (although it trickled to $100 million domestic) as audiences adjusted to seeing a hero turned bad guy in Cruise.  Still it warrants repeat viewings to continue to gain appreciation for the work put in by all involved.

Miami Vice (2006)

His most recent effort, save for Public Enemies, was the one that was supposed to rocket the new Crockett and Tubbs to new heights with (a surprisingly portly) Colin Farrell (Tigerland) and Foxx as the iconic duo who were once TV staples.  Mann had a role in creating the show for TV in the 80′s; a show that some claimed finally got the full use of color out of television, with the searing heat of Miami etched on celluloid displaying the pastels and neons of the era ever so vibrantly.  The film unfortunately, missed for the most part, as it wasn’t as fun as say, Bad Boys, which I think is what people were looking for.  It lacked the cool, quirky dialogue from the series and took a rather serious tone, with a plot that was a bit too predictable as it played out on screen.

Mann still had beautiful shots like this in "Vice."

This had a troubled production and the leads never really displayed the sort of chemistry you would expect.  Surprisingly, it wasn’t cast as well as most of his other films were without the recognizable faces you saw in nearly all of the aforementioned films.  “Vice” was lacking in character development and plot, even though it is by no means a throwaway film.  Mann still displays a flair for action, with some exciting boat/water sequences and his signature dusk shots are still present with a notable one of Farrell on a boat in the water near the Miami harbor.  Not as bad as it seemed overall, but it crashed hard at the box office and I believe the studio pressured him to finish the film before he was ready, resulting in a misfire nevertheless.

Overall, Mann has had a stellar career; a very nice run.  He is not perfect, but taking a closer look at his works has only further heightened the anticipation to see what he does with John Dillinger’s tale, featuring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, in this week’s Public Enemies.  Want to know more?  Check back this week as we review the film.

Often times, rappers are trying to create a persona for themselves to stand out from the crowd in a music industry that covets personality more than talent. Therefore, it is an almost natural transition for many rappers to try to make the plunge into acting. With the Black Eyed Peas front man Will I. Am’s first film role coming in this summer’s Wolverine, I figured I would compile a list of rappers turned actors (or at least dabbling in acting) in studio films. You can call these guys rapper actors if you like.  I look at those in studio films because tons of these guys (and gals) are doing smaller fare and putting it out themselves, see the blueprint set by Master P. A few rules for the list: the artist has to have been a legitimately known MC (so no Gravy aka Jamal Woolard from Notorious.) Also, you have to also have done more than one film as well (Will I. Am excluded since he is inspiration for the piece), so you will not see Eminem (8 Mile) below. Here are 21 Rappers Turned Big Screen Actors. This is not an entirely comprehensive list by any means, so feel free to add any you see as necessary or comment on those you see here.

Ice-T

The former gangster rap star is still going strong on TV with “Law & Order” (9 years in!), but lest we forget he was in Trespass, New Jack City, and Ricochet back in the day. He actually kind of started this whole movement. He has the longest list of credits of any rapper you will find with more than 70 acting credits to his name. It is amusing that he played a cop in “New Jack” and a detective in “Law” considering he boastfully sang “Cop Killer” more than 15 years ago. He obviously has something that works to get him by, so respect is due.

Andre Benjamin aka Andre 3000

He seems a natural to try his hand at this but has been hit or miss in my view so far. He had Be Cool, Four Brothers and Guy Ritchie’s underseen Revolver, but Idlewild with partner Big Boi (ATL, Who’s Your Caddy?) flopped. Still, he was good in the indy Battle In Seattle proving that he has a chance in acting for the foreseeable future. To his credit, he is willing to stretch himself and is seemingly serious about the craft at least.

Bow Wow

The youngster had Like Mike, which put him on the map, and roles in Roll Bounce and Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. Will he be forever known as a child rapper/actor or can he transition as a man? It remains to be seen but has as few projects in the works.

Will I. Am

Getting a role as Wraith in Wolverine is surprising only because it is his first acting role ever and now he gets to turn up in what is anticipated to be one of this summer’s biggest films and a possible franchise. Slightly curious to see how he does. Here is his somewhat convincing Wraith spot in case you missed it.

LL Cool J aka James Todd Smith

The man dubbed “Ladies Love” has had enough opportunities to turn this into a legitimate big screen career and I don’t think it is happening at this point. Deep Blue Sea, Any Given Sunday and S.W.A.T. showed what he can do, but it appears he is going to be sticking with smaller TV roles at this point. It’s always been hard for me to see him as anything other than LL for the most part, since he was a pretty big star.

50 Cent aka Curtis Jackson

The man who was shot 9 times (and still lived!) seems to be more focused on acting nowadays after becoming among the biggest music stars on the planet at one point. He has done his Get Rich or Die Tryin’ biopic but then was in Righteous Kill and has the busiest slate of anyone on the list with at least 6 projects coming in the next two years. I wonder if he can stick around, now that he is out of the music limelight (at this juncture).

Mark Wahlberg aka Marky Mark

While some may find him a stretch to be included as a rapper, he was a pretty big star with his Funky Bunch hits (“Good Vibrations”, “Wildside”) back in the day and has been highly successful as an actor by any measure. Boogie Nights’ Dirk Diggler showed he could act and he has parlayed it well into countless acting roles with considerable range (A Perfect Storm, I Heart Huckabees) and producing hit TV show “Entourage” to boot.

T.I. aka Tip Harris

The slim one who calls himself “King of the South” on the mic showed up in ATL and American Gangster to mixed results. He has charisma but not sure he has any real range as an actor. His recent gun charges will stem the tide from him showing up in anything in the near future with Takers being his next acting project due in 2010.

Ice Cube don’t call me O’Shea Jackson

The former gangster rap star and would be greatest MC ever (that’s a different discussion, but accurate) is one of the bigger successes as far as this list goes. He went from Boyz ‘N the Hood to Friday to xXx 2 and now routinely shows up in his own produced projects (family fare, no less). He was once more promising as an actor than it has turned out in my eyes, but it is interesting that he somewhat has played against type. As a financial and box office success, he can’t be denied.

Eve

The “pitbull in a skirt” was in two Barbershop films, xXx, and The Woodsman with Kevin Bacon but seems like she might have run her course on the big screen for the time being. She is still getting TV roles though as she battles some legal issues (hip-hop streed cred—cool!). A multi-hyphenate interested in fashion as well, she may never just been seen as an actress.

Mos Def

A backpack rapper known for thinking-man rhymes, he was really an actor before he became an MC, so he seemed a natural fit for the big screen, that is until…you hear him talk. Too often he uses a particularly annoying voice when trying to create characters for film. Still, he has a varied string of film credits from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, 16 Blocks with Bruce Willis, Be Kind Rewind, and he earned raves for HBO’s Something The Lord Made (a pretty solid film too). In the end, might have more respect as an actor than rapper (debatable) as he has Next Day Air hitting soon.

2Pac aka Tupac Shakur

The notorious, fallen icon might have been the biggest star out of any one on here (and may still be), but died young. An artist who showcased his acting in Juice, Gridlock’d, and Poetic Justice, which all showed off his undeniable charisma but we’ll never know how far he might have gone. See Film-U-Missed, Tupac: Resurrection for a look at his life from his perspective.

Snoop Dogg

The “slim with the tilted brim” star was surprisingly good in Training Day but it’s tough to see him as anything other than Snoop. Need I mention Bones? I thought not. His former partner and sometimes collaborator Dr. Dre is less convincing, something he himself acknowledges and it will keep him out of the mix as an actor.

Puffy/P.Diddy aka Sean Combs

The producer/rapper is trying to be taken seriously as an actor. Though he hasn’t had a real big studio film, he did get respect for 2001’s Monster’s Ball and last years “Raisin In The Sun” TV work was lauded. First acting role was in the Jon Favreau/Vince Vaughn teaming part-deux, Made. He claims he will win an Oscar someday, and surprisingly, he is tough to doubt.

Queen Latifah aka Dana Owens

From her CD “All Hail The Queen” as one of the original female rap stars to acting in Chicago and earning a Golden Globe in the process, Latifah is now a full-fledged acting star. She participated in the huge hit Bringing Down The House and the Barbershop spin-off Beauty Shop. She has been removed from the rap scene a long time now and is only seen as an actress these days, though she recently put out a Jazz album lest we forget she has other interests.

Common

The Chi-town MC had put out several albums before getting a big hit and venturing into acting. He is an another guy that seems to be a natural for this and I think he has a chance to be one of the more successful on the list. He’s been in a lot of actioners to some surprise with Wanted, American Gangster and Smokin’ Aces and he will be in Terminator: Salvation with Christian Bale this summer.

Ja Rule/DMX

Jeffrey Atkins was a big rap star at one point with commercial and hardcore hits which he used to get into other avenues like acting. He had his chance in both film and music but is next to off the map in both these days. Did 50 Cent kill his career? As an actor he had Scary Movie 3 as well as Half Past Dead with Steven Segal and that title was apropos for his career as it turned out. DMX aka Earl Simmons, the gravelly voiced, barking rapper on the other hand, was in independent ‘hood film Belly, Romeo Must Die and Exit Wounds (another Segal film) but has the range of a cardboard box and simply can’t be taken seriously. Hence, I lumped these two together.

Xzibit aka Alvin Joiner

The West Coast underground rap legend who rose to fame on MTV’s “Pimp My Ride,” has had a pretty good go of things as an actor. He got Derailed with Jennifer Aniston and Clive Owen and did xXx 2, X-Files 2, 8 Mile and Gridiron Gang which all showed off the X to the Z. He may not be a great actor (yet?), but he is likable and charismatic. Known for a muscular build, he has had to be stronger inside than out as Xzibit recently lost his infant son to a rare lung disorder. He still has projects acting coming through 2011.

Ludacris aka Chris Bridges

The former radio DJ (Chris Lover Lover) turned punch-line rapper, has had some higher profile films as an actor including Oscar-winner Crash and last year’s Max Payne. He initially stretched himself for Hustle & Flow (I kid). Was in Guy Ritchie’s RocknRolla in a small role, where he was at the very least, efficient. Chris some talent here and it will be interesting to see how things turn out for him as I suspect he is going to try to be in it for the long haul.

Will Smith aka The Fresh Prince

The former fun and charming rapper is now the most successful box office star on the planet. Need I say more? He was once accepted to M.I.T. and was the first rapper to win a Grammy for “Parents Just Don’t Understand.” He once exquisitely portrayed Ali, has been nominated for many awards, regularly stretches himself, and is among the most personable stars you can imagine. Will is the undisputed box office champ who may never be topped. His string of $100m hits just was broken with Seven Pounds last year and he is currently on a bit of a hiatus. We eagerly anticipate seeing how he will react.

This Tuesday (as opposed to last Tuesday) reveals the following in film news from around the web:

Who do you have for your lead in Captain America? [Splash Page] says it is Channing Tatum, who in turn thinks Big Willie Style, Will Smith would be perfect.  I love the Fresh Prince but not sure I want either of them as Captain A.  We’ll see.  Is it just me or is Tatum’s hype like the second-coming of Colin Farrell without the acting chops?

Tina Fey’s Date Night cast is growing into the absurd.  Mark Wahlberg and James Franco are the latest additions to the cast that already includes Common, Steve Carell, Taraji P. Henson and more. [First Showing]

The successful horror/torture Saw franchise will get the ultimate honor by being turned into a video game for your next-gen game systems.  [ShockTillYouDrop] It’s akin to a ballplayer getting a bust in Cooperstown…I think.

Rachel  McAdams talks about her possible blockbusters in State of Play and Sherlock Holmes with El Toro at [Latino Review].

Elisabeth Shue(!) lives but might not in her next film, Pirahna 3-D.  A remake of the cult horror film from the 80′s only with Pirahna you can reach out and touch.  Scary. [Cinema Blend]

Sly Stallone’s The Expendables has its first set pics [Spoiler TV] while [Film School Rejects] has first fiery image from the film.  Hint: It doesn’t look like Stone Cold dies in this pic.  Damn!

Robert Venditti, author of The Surrogates, Bruce Willis’ Sc-Fi movie currently filming has a long discussion with [UGO Movies] about the book and a prequel “The Surrogates: Flesh and Bone.” No BTNH reference though, sorry.

Terminator:  Salvation director McG is opting for a Spring Awakening, planning to adapt the Broadway musical. [The Guardian]

And finally, since you can’t seem to get enough of Zac Efron (you’ve been beating down the walls wanting more news on him!), I bequeath you with [Moviehole]‘s breakdown of Efron’s desire to play Marty McFly in a Back To the Future remake.  At least he has the Delorean for starters.

Casting Droppings was a fairly new idea (just yesterday), to bring you a round-up of all current casting news. Yesterday, we brought you what was new with the Nick Fury character and the Karate Kid remake. This edition, brings you two sequel updates, a remake and a new comic book adaptation.

Iron Man 2 casting is clearly underway, as we’ve mentioned Mickey Rourke and Sam Rockwell as possible characters in the impending sequel. A new addition to the film could be British import Emily Blunt. She’s been slowly blowing up since The Devil Wears Prada and will be seen on screens multiple times before this big release. Blunt is said to be portraying the role of Natalia Romanova a.k.a. The Black Widow. The Black Widow is a Soviet Spy antagonist to Tony Stark. That means, “a villain.”

After the Rourke and Rockwell baddies, Blunt would make three. The last trifecta of villains in a comic book movie didn’t fare so well (see: Spiderman 3). There’s no need to get inundated with enemies. You’ll have plenty of sequels to do that. It’s difficult to fit so many characters into one film and even more so in a comic book film where everybody has their favorites. Nobody wants to be short-shrifted. We’ll see what happens, but it’s going to take some work to make a coherent puzzle out of so many pieces. Do you like the move of adding another villain? How about Blunt as Black Widow?

From Latino Review comes the news that Disney is clamoring for a remake of their 1954 film, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and they’ve tapped McG to direct. Geezy is sure to be coming off his biggest film to date (Terminator: Salvation) and appears to already have another one in the pipeline. He’s reaching toward even higher heights as he’s clamoring for Will Smith to take the lead role of Captain Nemo (played by James Mason in the ’54 version).

It’s the hat that makes the man.

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. So long, in fact, my memory can’t harken back that far. Big Willie’s streak of $100+ million dollar films has finally been broken with Seven Pounds, but I’m sure the combination of him and McG can start a new one.  It’ll definitely be interesting to see if this pans out.

The definition of a rumor is something that has yet to be proven to be true. Thus is the case with High School Musical star, Vanessa Hudgens, NOT being attached to the Twilight sequel, New Moon, as was widely reported (in addition to here) earlier this week. Confimation of the misinformation was reported by Hollywood Insider. Twilight fans: Does this make you happy or sad? My reaction? I’ll pass along this classic exchange from “The Simpsons.”

 Bart: Nothing you say can upset us.  We're the MTV generation.
 Lisa: We feel neither highs or lows.
Homer: Really?  What's it like?
 Lisa: Ehh.  [shrugs]

No Moon for you.

Finally, from Aint It Cool News, we bring you word of a casting decision for the new Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) film, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. The most gainfully employed Culkin, Kieran is set to play Pilgrim’s gay former roommate, Wallace.

Scott Pilgrim is an adaptation of the comic book series of the same name by Bryan Lee O’Malley, about a wannabe rockstar who falls in love with a girl, Ramona Flowers, and must defeat her seven evil exes to be able to date her. Michael Cera is already signed on to play the title character and Mary Elizabeth Winstead is slated to be the love interest. I really like Wright’s direction in his aforementioned films and I can dig this cast. You?

A few casting notes of interest have come across the wire.  First up, The Hollywood Reporter notes that Jackie Chan will play Mr.  Miyagi in the Karate Kid remake.  This is the film that stars Jaden Smith, Will Smith’s kid as the Ralph Macchio character.  I have no problem with Chan playing Mr. Miyagi, it makes sense enough I guess.  The guy is old enough, struggles with the English language and has the requisite martial arts skills.  I am good with that.  The issue I take umbrance with is Jaden playing the lead role.  I mean, wasn’t Macchio like 27 trying to play 16 in that movie?  He might have been 32 or something, I am not certain.  Jaden is far too young to be a true equal here.  They might have to call it the Ka-ra-te Child.

Jackie Chan does his best Pat Morita impression.

Another film nugget dropping on us is word that Samuel  L. Jackson might not be back as Nick Fury in future Marvel movies, like the would be Avengers flick.  Apparently Jax ain’t too happy about it either.  He said “there seems to be an economic crisis in the Marvel Comics world.”  Thanks to the LA Times for breaking this news.  This could affect a number of projects coming up, meaning his cameo at the end of Iron Man didn’t mean what we thought it might.  They’re not “who we thought they were!” to paraphrase Dennis Green.  I guess they “let ‘em off the hook!”

Also noted here is that Jackson said that despite his cameo as the hard-bitten military man at the end of “Iron Man,” it now appears that “somebody else will be Nick Fury or maybe Nick Fury won’t be in it” when it comes to “Iron Man 2,” “The First Avenger: Captain America” and “The Avengers,” the announced slate of Marvel Studios projects through 2011 that might have a natural spot for the character.

Sam Jax might no longer be Nick Fury.

Again, thanks to the LA Times for this info.  So, does this matter to you if this goes down and Fury is out?  I personally couldn’t care less about Jackson in the role since he made my list of those who might want to consider retirement so to speak.  I don’t really know Nick Fury but I am sure a suitable replacement could be found since they upgraded War Machine from Terrence Howard, who is good, to Don Cheadle, who is a living legend.  “Finally, somebody said it!,” says I.

Yeah, The Film Nest’s top choice (as well as most of America’s as it turns out) Barack Obama ended up winning the Presidential election to become our 44th President.  You can get all the history from a political website and while we definitely have his back and salute him, we take a look at potential casting choices for a potential Obama film.  This topic has been bandied about at other sites, none so demonstratively and effectively as at Premiere mag.  While we certainly respect their list.  We figured we would come up with a few of our own.

Now about a year ago Obama himself said Will Smith would probably do a good job of playing him when he went on MTV.

While he mentions Denzel as a possibility and Premiere chooses him as the top choice, I would have to side with the man himself and say that the former Fresh Prince would be the best choice.  Not only does he have similar facial features, stature and skin tone, but he also has the acting chops to pull it off and a fan base to rival Obama’s amazing fan base, so studios would be all over that.  Smith himself has said that he would be interested in doing it as well.

Honestly, these two are pretty close in the looks department.

Just to throw another less obvious name into the hat, should some of the bigger names fall through, I could see Jeffrey Wright, certainly from an acting standpoint, pulling this off.  His work in HBO’s Angels In America still is some of the best work I have seen and he can certainly be a chameleon on screen.  While he isn’t as much of a match physically nor does he have nearly the box office pull that Smith has, he has the right skin tone and the dedication to craft necessary to convincingly do the job.  An underrated, underutilized actor.

Premiere offers up Angela Bassett as a great choice for Michelle Obama and while I concur, I would look slightly outside the box at another underutilized actress, Regina King.  She stood out in 1996′s Jerry Maguire and has both the look (having similar facial features and bone structure) as Michelle, but I believe her to be a capable actress as well.  Whether in Enemy Of The State (where she played a wife to Will Smith–perfect to reunite the pair!) to Ray, she can display both the grit and poise that Michelle possesses.  She may not be a star, but she is a known quantity that would be a good casting choice.

This is not a bad call at all, and you know this...man!!

For Obama’s VP and running mate, Senator Joe Biden, I could see Ed Harris pulling this off, as long as he wore a half-wig.  Biden is known for his fiery speeches and Harris can certainly deliver that in droves.  While I think he can be prone to overacting and perhaps overemoting at times, he would seemingly fit perfectly with the type of power and fire that Biden brings.  Harris is a respected actor and in a supporting role, I think he would be great.

Your suspicions are true. That's Rickles at left, McCain on the right.

Playing Republican nominee Senator John McCain, I could see Don Rickles doing the trick.  He might be about 10 years too old these days, but facially you can’t tell me the guy isn’t damn near spot-on.  Just imagine Rickles hitting Obama with the “If you wanted to run against Bush, you should have ran four years ago,” blast.  That’s right up Rickles cut-down alley.  I am certain he can repeat the phrase “my friends” to sterling effect.

As for Governor Sarah Palin, okay, Tina Fey can do her just fine, but it’s not like playing Palin requires much range.  Given that, I think I might reach out to another SNL alum and give Molly Shannon a shot at her.  She could probably pull it off, is just good looking enough and she should have the time.  It’s not like that Kath & Kim TV show she has on will last longer than a season or two.  I’d consider Kate Beckinsale, but she’s much too hot, a little too young and probably wouldn’t want to play down to that level.

The Bening-Clinton ticket. A feminist movement.

Finally, though I have not seen any suggestions anywhere for her, we have to consider casting for Hillary Clinton.  For that, I think you’d have to look at none other than Annette Bening.  The only drawback here is that Bening is known for being a bit of a sexpot.  But honestly, her work in American Beauty, with the shorter hair cut and all, it’s right up the alley for Clinton.  Sadly, Bening has actually aged a bit in recent years but the role of Clinton would give her another chance at that elusive Oscar.  She’s already played in the political arena as well, with The American President back in ’95.  She has the moxie to play Clinton in a full-length stroy of her life I am sure, but even in a smaller role (theoretically) here, I think she would more than pass muster as the Senator.

Dear readers, let us know what you think.  Please share any ideas of your own.