Have you seen Black Book yet? It's on DVD now, and with Ryan and I raving about it and especially its star, Carice Van Houten, all year, I hope you got the hint. It's really worth seeing. And once you do check it out, you'll understand why we are so smitten by Van Houten. And you'll understand why Hollywood can't get enough of her these days, casting her opposite many of the most prestigious actors, such as Tom Cruise, who she's linked up with in Bryan Singer's Valkyrie, and Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe, both of whom she's appearing with in Ridley Scott's Body of Lies. Now, according to The Hollywood Reporter, the Dutch actress is confirmed to play opposite Jude Law in Repossession Mambo. She will play wifie to Law in the film, which is a sci-fi thriller about a guy who can't afford his most recently installed artificial organ. Directed by Miguel Sapochnik, a former storyboard artist who worked on Trainspotting, the film is said to also star Alice Braga, who actually plays Law's love-interest in the form of an ex-wife he reunites and goes on the lam with.

So then is Van Houten just a minor character who is left behind? That's what it sounds like, and if you look at most of these American roles she's getting they're either labeled simply as wife or love-interest. Considering all that she got to do in Black Book, it seems Hollywood could be missing the boat on why she's worth casting. If Van Houten does end up wasted or underused in these roles, it wouldn't be the first time a young European actress came into flavor and was then miscast. I'm thinking mostly of Audrey Tautou being put in The Da Vinci Code, of course. I have to admit that after falling in love with her in Amelie, I gradually grew out of my crush by watching the rest of her available films, none of which featured her in quite the same way. For Van Houten, I've already gone and looked at one of her earlier films, and was similarly disappointed -- though it could have been the fact the movie, Minoes (aka Undercover Kitty), is only available here in a terribly dubbed version. All I can hope is that I won't ever see her in a worse movie than that, but with Hollywood's track record of late, such hopes are really difficult to hold on to.

Chicago Tribune television critic Maureen Ryan has done a follow-up piece on Cinematical's story about the decision of HBO to scrap the series-ending Deadwood movies it promised fans after the show's abrupt termination. Ryan, crediting Cinematical as a source in her article, contacted representatives at the network about the move and got a long-winded response. Here's the relevant portion: "There are no current plans to make the movies," the HBO publicist admits, before adding a never-say-never caveat. "The dismantling of the 1878 set is irrelevant because Milch has indicated that the story for a Deadwood movie would resume after the Deadwood floods and fires, which changed the face of the first settlement." As Hugo Jarry would say, the statement continues ... "HBO has renewed its deal with David Milch, who is currently developing another series for the network. It's a drama set in the New York police department during the 1970s, when the Knapp Commission was formed to ferret out corruption in the force."

In other words, 'please stop thinking about Deadwood and start thinking about Milch's new show'. And if you're holding on to that sliver of hope they tossed out, I've got a bridge to sell you. I would consider it unlikely in the extreme that, having dismantled the old show sets, HBO would shell out for new ones for any reason, although that's just a layman's speculation. In conclusion, I'll repeat what I said earlier: at this point, it's a Deadwood theatrical film or bust. If Sex and the City can get a theatrical film, why in the world wouldn't a show that's actually good get one?

For ages now, Jake Gyllenhaal has been the superhero understudy who never gets called to the stage. Actor, after actor, after actor gets picked for the tights and hero lifestyle while his interest in the theme goes nowhere. From Shazam to Spider-Man, he's always been a possibility, but never a real contender who gets to save the world -- which is funny since he's found so much success in civilian clothes. Now it looks like the closest thing to a superhero we'll get from the actor is his strange, yet undeniably endearing Bubble Boy.

Jake talked with MTV recently about the tights, the capes, and keeping the world safe from villains. He said: "I have definitely wanted to play superheroes in the past. I've definitely been into [playing a comic-book character] but, for one reason or another, it hasn't ever worked out." So far, so good. He's had interest, but it doesn't work out. How does he appease himself? "I think of how a character, in reality, is like a superhero -- rather than actually being a superhero." So now his sights are turned to heroes who don't wear tights, and who don't come from the colorful pages of comic books; he wants something a little more real: "I'd love to play a really cool character like Jason Bourne, not necessarily a superhero, but definitely a cool character that does great, fun [real-world] action."

He still doesn't sound against the idea, but Gyllenhaal has definitely moved on from the dream. Perhaps it's for the best. Superhero flicks can be tricky, and I'm sure the last thing he wants is to get stuck in a stinker. If, through all of this, you're still holding out hope for him to take Spider-Man, he says: "No, it's been well done already." Then again, Spidey was only supposed to hit the screen 3 times, so news can always change. What would you rather see him doing? Action flicks, or superheroes?

When you first movie is a cult sensation and your second movie is ... troubled, it's best to have a third project waiting in the wings. Fortunately for Donnie Darko and Southland Tales director Richard Kelly, that third flick is -- after a long gestation period -- finally coming together. According to Variety, veteran character actor Frank Langella will be joining Cameron Diaz in the horror film The Box. The trade paper says Langella will play "a stranger who presents a mysterious box to a woman." How's that for a killer role?

But Variety also reminds us that The Box is based on an old Richard Matheson story called Button, Button. (The basic premise is this: You're given a magical box and if you press the button, you become rich -- but a total stranger will die. You may remember this story from an episode of the "new" Twilight Zone that ran in the late '80s.) Although Eli Roth used to be connected to this project (as a writer, I believe), it now looks like it's Kelly's show all the way. When Cinematical interviewed Kelly at Fantastic Fest, he had this to say regarding The Box: "But my next movie is a psychological thriller, it's PG-13, has a mainstream concept, and it's something the studio is much more comfortable in committing to right away, telling us they'll put it on 2500 screens." So it's a horror film, but we're talking Vacancy 1408 horror here. In addition to directing, he'll be adapting the Matheson story. Production gets underway in the middle of next month.

And just in case you forgot, another Matheson adaptation -- I Am Legend -- hits theaters in December.

Last Sunday, Cinematical was the first to tell you that Chris Pine was the odds-on favorite to take on the big role of psycho cop Junior Stemmons in Joe Carnahan's White Jazz. Carnahan has subsequently confirmed as much on his blog. The role is Pine's if he wants it, so why is he not signing on the dotted line? The reason, as I understand it, is that he's pretty much being forced to choose between a major, potentially star-making role in White Jazz or a very minor role as Captain Kirk in J.J. Abrams new Star Trek film. In today's Variety, we learn that Simon Pegg has landed the role of Scotty in that film and that Pine has been officially offered the captain's chair, but hasn't yet taken it. I can see how this would be a tough choice. Even though it's well known that the new Star Trek film is practically sans-Kirk, the prestige of getting to play Kirk could open all kinds of doors for this kid, and who knows -- White Jazz may not turn out as well as everyone hopes. He's between a rock and a hard place. In other Star Trek XI casting news, The Hollywood Reporter tells us that John Cho, of Harold and Kumar fame, has landed the role of Sulu.

In other White Jazz news, Smokin' Joe has put up some more awesome concept art on his blog. This time it's not quite as cool as the panoramic view of 1958 Los Angeles, but it does have a ring of high-class sleaze to it that's reminiscent of L.A. Confidential. The large piece of art has the story's anti-hero Dave Klein walking away, with head down, from some swank Hollywood home that looks like where Pierce Patchett would live. If Joe has any heart at all, he's going to let me onto the set of this movie!

Seems like everyone wants to take a stab at filming a Stephen King adaptation lately. Although my guess is that the smart money is still on Frank Darabont's The Mist. But that doesn't mean that any other King project is doomed to end up on one of James' lists. Variety reports that Tobe Hooper has been hired to direct the big-screen version of From a Buick 8. This is King's second 'killer car' story, the first being Christine back in 1983. Buick centers on the recollections of the members of Troop D, a police barracks in western Pennsylvania. After *a young boy is is killed, his father becomes obsessed with the origins of a mysterious Buick 8 left in the town one night by a mysterious man in black (is there any other kind?).

But for those of you out there who can't get the ridiculous image of Keith Gordon being chased down the street by a 1958 Plymouth Fury out of your heads, there is no danger of this film going off the rails into camp territory. Hooper tells Variety, "From a Buick 8" will not be "your stock horror film by any means. There's a really cool, layered quality to the story." Hooper is best known for directing the Texas Chainsaw Massacre back in 1974, but this will be a far cry from the blood and gore of leather-face. Actor-writer Johnathon Schaech and Richard Chizmar were in charge of adapting Buick for the screen and the flick will be produced by Chesapeake Films along with long-time King collaborator Mick Garris.

Correction: It is the son who goes looking for his father's murderer, not the other way around.

With his first feature, Guy Ritchie made one heck of a name for himself amongst moviegoers itching for crime, action, and lots of testosterone. In the late '90s, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels was the quintessential guy movie -- every man I knew raved about it with the passion usually saved for religious zealots. Many of those same moviegoers followed along with Snatch, but then slammed into the cinematic wall with his Swept Away. One might think this had something to do with Ritchie's attempt to have a female lead, and that he wouldn't dare enter those waters again. Nevertheless, he has with RocknRolla, which found its deal in May, and was cast in June.

If co-star Thandie Newton is to be believed, we shouldn't worry about her presence in the crime feature. She recently talked to MTV and said: "I was the only girl for miles around. I thought I'd have to struggle to be a woman in that scenario. [But] Guy was so open to me having ideas." Perhaps because of his inexperience writing ones that live up to the male characters he creates? Her character, Stella, is an "accountant who becomes more and more cooked as the story goes on. I think [Guy] was surprised at how dirty I played this character. I just kept pushing it and he loved it. He loves surprises." Maybe this will be the big breakthough for Ritchie -- female characters that don't have sap that dies on the big screen, but rather, sass that rivals his memorable male characters. What do you think? Will RocknRolla re-inspire the admiration of his old fanbase with a lead like Newton and much less romance?

I've never seen Lost, or Girlfight, or any of the low-budget horror films Michelle Rodriguez has done, so I have no opinion whatsoever of her acting abilities, but I remember thinking that she must be worth a look if James Cameron thinks she is. The King of the World recently cast Rodriguez in a major role in his upcoming film, Avatar. She was to play ex-Marine pilot Trudy Chacon, but now she may have screwed that up big time. According to TMZ, Rodriguez has just been hit with a full six-month jail sentence for violating probation on a number of driving-related crimes, including hit and run. Apparently, she tried to fool them into thinking she was doing community service when she really wasn't, which pissed off the court. She is now required to begin her sentence by late December, which may or may not screw up her role in Avatar. Cameron is known to have already filmed much of the live-action, and is filming more in New Zealand this month -- can he (and does he want to) work around her schedule? What about re-shoots, pick-ups, etc?

In other Avatar news, a story over at a New Zealand news site recently quoted digital effects guru Joe Letteri as saying that hundreds of contractors are being corralled to help out with the massive special-effects workload the film is generating. I'm becoming more and more convinced that this is going to be something really special when it hits theaters and if I were Cameron, I think I would try something new with the marketing on this one -- don't have any. No trailers, no images, no nothing. Just make us wait until May 22, 2009 to see anything. Wouldn't that be fun?

I may have initially hated Miami Vice, but it might be time to take another look. Especially because it's taking Michael Mann a long time to make a follow-up (though it's normal for him to take a few years between films). Lately he's been concentrating on producing, overseeing such pics as The Kingdom, which is currently in theaters, and the upcoming Hancock, which stars Will Smith. According to Variety, though, Mann has found a project that he's interested in directing next year, and it's to be another vehicle for Smith, who Mann previously directed to an Oscar nom in Ali. The drama, titled Empire, will also reunite Mann with screenwriter John Logan, with whom he worked, as a producer, on The Aviator. The plot involves a "contemporary global media mogul."

Other than that job title for (I'm assuming) Smith's character, little is known. But with such a great team involved, I don't think we need to worry. They're all very talented and respected (even if Logan did write the recent version of The Time Machine), Columbia apparently dished out at least a million bucks for the must-be-amazing pitch and I trust that Mann will not disappoint me again in the future. Something about this project -- perhaps the hint of corporate and media dealings -- makes me think it will be most in line with Mann's The Insider, which I think is his best film, even though it doesn't have a lot of action nor does it have Pacino and DeNiro face to face. Empire also won't feature classic Hollywood icons, like the film noir Mann and Logan were recently said to be making, but with that in mind, I think I'm anticipating this new project on less-kitschy grounds. Meanwhile, I'm also hoping that Smith make this a priority over Seven Pounds, his presumed next film (following Hancock) that returns him to the care of Pursuit of Happyness director Gabriele Muccino. I guess it all could come down to which film Smith thinks offers him a better chance at another Oscar nom for 2009.

So I guess it's getting to that time of the year where people start shelling out their lists, checking them twice, and, in this case, rip out the pages to plaster them all over the wall. The Hollywood Reporter tells us that Esquire Magazine has officially declared Charlize Theron to be the "sexiest woman alive." Here's my problem with this: Did Esquire scour the globe, in and out of neighborhoods, whilst conducting their search? Because, surely, if you're going to claim someone is the "sexiest woman alive," then I'd hope you looked at thousands upon thousands of women. I think not -- for example, my wife wasn't interviewed. And she's pretty damn sexy. So what gives?

Since previous winners include Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Biel and Angelina Jolie, something tells me this list isn't the "sexiest woman alive;" it's more like, "the sexiest woman in Hollywood." And that's fine -- I understand how people wait all year for this list to be announced so that they can run home and snort jelly beans off the glossy cover -- but why advertise it as the "sexiest woman alive" when you're only looking at famous people? Are these the only women that count? Is that what Esquire wants us to believe? Are our mothers, sisters, friends and wives not sexy because they're not members of some elite group? During her interview with the magazine, Theron said, "I'm drawn to ambiguity." So she's the sexiest woman alive ... and she's drawn to ambiguity! Oh, and about her role in Reindeer Games: "That was a bad, bad movie. But ... I got to work with John Frankenheimer. I wasn't lying to myself -- that's why I did it." Hey, at least she's honest. That's kind of sexy.

The other day, Paramount invited a select group of online writers to attend a special luncheon with director Steven Spielberg who wanted to reward them for their help in apprehending the dude who was trying to sell all those stolen Indiana Jones photos. In doing so, the folks in attendance asked Spielberg tons of questions regarding all of his most talked-about projects, including Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls, Transformers 2 and Tintin. Of course, when you bring this all-star team of websites together, don't expect a bunch of B.S. questions -- they cut straight to the chase. As far as Indy 4 goes, there's only two days left of shooting, Shia LaBeouf and Harrison Ford have performed most of their own stunts, the flick was shot on film, not digital (with as much practical effects work as possible) and Drew Struzan will be back for the poster.

Additionally, there's been talk about re-releasing the first three Indiana Jones films on the big screen prior to the fourth installment arriving in theaters. No doubt this was George Lucas' idea, and Spielberg said he's not so sure he wants to do it. He'd rather Indiana Jones 4 be the first time folks are seeing Indy on the big screen in 18 years. (Personally, I'd like to see the first three on the big screen at some point -- not long ago, I caught a screening of Raiders and had such a friggin' blast.) As far as Transformers 2 goes, they're working double-time to complete the script and Spielberg said it will be handed in a couple weeks from now, with the potential goal to begin shooting early next year. Spielberg also played coy when folks asked whether Shia LaBeouf would continue the Indy franchise, saying "we will see, he still has multiple Transformers films to do." I suppose that means LaBeouf will stay with the robots through at least a third film.

Finally, for the Tintin news. All three films will indeed be motion capture, with Peter Jackson and Steven Spielberg each directing one installment. The cool news is that if they do not find a director to helm the third installment, Jackson and Spielberg will co-direct. Now if that's not a fanboy's wet dream, I don't know what is. Those interested in reading more about the Spielberg fireside chat, feel free to check out reports from any one of the following sites: IESB, Coming Soon, Latino Review, IGN, CHUD, JoBlo, Slashfilm and AICN.

Though it's been a relatively slow process, the Star Trek XI is starting to come together. Variety reports that Eric Bana has landed the role of villain in the film, which will be some sort of re-boot -- a "when they were young" Star Trek, kind of like when a character opens up a high school yearbook, notices their first crush and has a flashback. Variety has no other details regarding Bana's character, however Star Trek.com claims his name in the film will be 'Nero.' Also cast in the film thus far are Anton Yelchin (Chekov), Zachary Quinto (Spock), Zoe Saldana (Uhuru) and Leonard Nimoy. Production is set to begin this November, which means more casting is currently underway.

And that brings us to Captain Kirk. The Hollywood Reporter tells us this morning that Chris Pine is in talks to take on the role of Kirk; a guy whose only other major role came opposite Lindsay Lohan in Just My Luck. (And here's where I should say, "Looks like his luck is about to change ..." ) I'm not too familiar with Pine, as I'm sure you're not either, so I can't say whether he's right for the role. Variety had said folks were chasing a big-name actor for the roles of villain and Captain Kirk, but Pine is hardly a big-name actor. As it stands right now, this is a pretty interesting cast, and not the one I expected after guys like Matt Damon and Adrien Brody were originally reported to be up for the roles of Kirk and Spock. I love the choice to go with Bana as villain (the guy seems as if he was born to play a Star Trek villain), and I like the Quinto casting move, but the others I'm iffy about. How do you feel about this Star Trek cast?

Though we've had a slew of zombies and demons shoveled down our throats over the past few days, is there any way to create a new flick that keeps things fresh? Wait -- I know -- how about we take a bunch of zombies, demons and "other bad guys," and have them square off against Santa Claus!? Not only that, but we'll get the dudes behind 300 to make the flick, hoping they'll put the jolly fat man in an outfit that's just a tad more revealing than we need it to be. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on who you talk to), I'm not kidding about the above. The Hollywood Reporter tells us Hollywood Gang (the shingle behind 300) has optioned the rights to the graphic novel The Last Christmas, which was written by actor-comedian Brian Posehn and Gerry Duggan.

In it, Santa Claus turns his back on Christmas for whatever reason (I imagine the salary kind of sucks when you're giving everything away for free), but when he finally decides to emerge from seclusion, "he has to find a way to save the world, and Christmas, from being overrun by demons, zombies and other bad guys." So what are they trying to say here? What's the message? Without Santa Claus, our entire planet would be f**ked? Seems that way. I can't imagine this graphic novel is serious in tone (if you've read it, please speak up), but it's definitely garnered my interest ... if only because I'd like to see Santa rip the head off a zombie and use it to kill a demon -- something tells me the kids would love it! No writer is onboard to adapt at this time, so we'll have to wait and see the route they eventually decide to take. What do you think about this one (the cover completely rocks, by the way)?

Yes, finally, Lindsay Lohan has left rehab! It was a trying time for us fans, but the streets of Los Angeles were safer without her car on the road. In an interview with OK! Magazine, La Lohan said of her time in Utah's Cirque Lodge (a drug and alcohol treatment center), "It was a sobering experience. It was humbling. It made me look at myself, and all of the people, places and things in my life in a different way. I was in there for substance abuse, after all." I like how she adds that last sentence in there, as if she wanted to say -- "I was in rehab idiots, did you expect me to talk to you about running around the grounds naked, with a monkey in a pink dress, while holding a cocktail and a menthol?"

But enough about the scandal, when will we see Lohan back up on the big screen -- I mean, that's if she doesn't quit Hollywood and all. She says, "I'm staying in Utah until it's time to shoot Dare to Love Me, and then I plan on returning to Utah so I can stay focused, and avoid other distractions." Did we already know Lohan was shooting that film? I don't think so. Last time we talked about Dare to Love Me, the film which tells the story of Argentinian tango legend Carlos Gardel, both Paz Vega and the singer-turned-actress Shakira were up for roles opposite Rodrigo Santoro in the flick. Alfonso Arau (A Walk in the Clouds) is set to direct off a script by Jeremy Leven (The Notebook), and I imagine Lohan will play some sort of American love interest (God help me if she tries an accent). Of course, let's see if the actress actually makes it to work this time; in the past year, she's walked away from at least three (or is it four?) different films. There's no further word on the film, or her involvement, but I imagine it will start shooting soon. In the meantime, check out our Lohan gallery below (pre-rehab), and we hope the gal makes it through in good health (and spirits) this time without pissing off the entire state of Utah.

After wallowing in production limbo for the last ten years, Empire Online reports that Pixar has finally decided to make not one, but three films about John Carter of Mars by Tarzan creator, Edgar Rice Burroughs. The latest news about the project emerged when Pixar's creative team made a visit to the Burroughs's archives. Pixar's team was comprised of Jim Morris (VP), Andrew Stanton (director), and Mark Andrews (script). Carter was "a Civil War veteran whose retreat into a cave to avoid capture by Apache Indians takes an otherworldly turn as he's transported via time portal to the planet of Barsoom (aka Mars) and taken prisoner by 12-foot-tall green men". First appearing in Princess of Mars back in 1917, the character appeared in over seven novels, so there is plenty of material for the trilogy. According to reports, "All six members at the meeting expressed a deep commitment to the project, acknowledging that they had been inspired by Burroughs' creations from a very early age. This is evidenced in the excitement held for the John Carter property and the plans for a film trilogy faithful to the Burroughs books".

Rights to Carter were finalized back in January for Pixar and Disney. Reportedly, the project has been around since the 90's when Jeffrey Katzenberg had designs on a feature film version while he was still head of Disney. After that, the project made the rounds to Paramount and has had some big names attached to direct over the years, including Robert Rodriguez and Jon Favreau. There is still talk that Pixar will finally be getting into the live-action game with Brad Bird's telling of the San Francisco earthquake, 1906. But, there is plenty of time since they aren't exactly in a rush to get Carter into production. The first film will hit screens sometime in 2012. Talk about planning ahead ...