​A lot of you have sent me the news that Warner Bros. has made Chris Nolan, director of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, in sort of advisory role on the next Superman movie. I appreciate it, but I don't think we need to get too worked up about this. Here's why:

• We have no idea how much power Nolan actually has. I'd be shocked if he got to veto plans outright, especially if WB hires a big-name or even medium-name director. It's more likely he'll just be a voice in the room when the executives -- who have been fucking this up for years now -- meet.
• More importantly, how often will he actually be in that room? He's finishing Inception now, and then WB wants him to start on Batman 3 ASAP. I'd put down any amount of cash that between advising on Superman or making Batman 3, WB would rather he work on Batman.
• This Superman movie still doesn't exist. There are no scripts, no directors, no ideas. All Nolan can even say at the moment is "Let's not do something tremendously stupid," which, while good advice, is kind of vague.

This obviously isn't bad news, but let's not think this means the second coming of the Superman movie franchise. Seriously, Nolan is out of that meeting room even one day, and that could be the day they hire Tyler Perry to play the son of Richard Pryor's character from Superman III.

​Natsuna Watanabe can Gantz. Mostly because she's playing Kei Kishimoto in the live-action movie of the preposterously violent, often quite naughty manga -- well, that, and she's pictured above. I'm not going to lie; that's a hell of a picture. I can't imagine that Ms. Watanabe managed to slide into that outfit by herself; it probably takes a team of assistants, including one to cover her in baby powder first, so she doesn't chaff. Best job in Japan? I'd say odds are good. (Via AnimeVice)

​Admittedly, you would have needed $30 million, which not an inconsiderable sum. But for TV networks and movie studios, $30 mil is nothing -- especially for a franchise whose worst two installments (3 and Salvation) earned $433 million and $375 million worldwide. And yet, the Terminator franchise sold for $29.5 million to... well, let me let ex-sister-in-law Nikki Finke of Deadline explain:

I've learned that the auction for the Terminator movie, TV program, and other spin-off rights just ended after a marathon bidding session today that stretched from 3 PM this afternoon until 8 PM tonight. Both Sony Pictures and Lionsgate separately were bidding for the franchise, and then joined up after the first round was completed. "We're going to fight one hell of a fight," a Lionsgate insider told me in advance. Its plans were for "a complete re-boot, back to basics, with real emotional stories, and effects that will be secondary.

Alas, the studios didn't come away the winners -- which, I'm told, prompted a furious Sony Pictures Entertainment's president of worldwide affairs Peter Schlessel to "storm out" of the Downtown LA offices of FTI Capital Advisors holding the auction. (Sony had distributed Terminator 4: Salvation internationally.) Instead, Halcyon Holding Corp accepted the $29.5 million bid from, of all parties, the debtholder which  pushed it into bankruptcy, Santa Barbara-based hedge fund Pacificor. (This is the same Pacificor whom Halcyon accused in a lawsuit of extortion, bribery, and fraud and demanded $30M in damages.)

So. Sony and Lionsgate -- fuck, Sony and anyone -- couldn't outbid the company that the Terminator rights holders had recently sued? Recently sued from more than they sold the whole fucking Terminator franchise to? Call me crazy, but I think some shenanigans might be going on here. Ah, well. The only real losers here are the Terminator fans. No big deal.

Since Planet Hulk came out last week, a trailer for Marvel and Lionsgate's next direct-to-DVD cartoon movie was included, that being Thor: Tales of Asgard. It's about young Thor searching after the sword of Surtur and getting Asgard into a war with the frost giants or something or other. I'm trying to avoid my traditional bitchings nowadays (with a limited amount of success, admittedly) so let me try and bring up my thoughts through the new information this trailer presents to us.

• I'm not thrilled about watching a Thor adventure where he doesn't have Mjolnir. I mean, if I'm paying for Thor, I'm generally paying for hammer-time as well. Still, this movie is about young Thor, so I can let it go.
• I do like seeing Thor and Loki as brothers, before they were bitter enemies. That's cool.
• I am very concerned about Thor's line "That sword has taken its last life!"  and Loki's "We're royalty, we're not made for adventure!" These are Norse gods we're talking about here. The only thing more ridiculous than Thor not being ready for adventure -- even as a tyke -- is him worrying that a weapon is too dangerous. even if you take into account that these are the Marvel versions of Thor and crew, doesn't this seems preposterously out of character? Shouldn't Thor get rid of Mjolnir and stay home to watch the Puppy Bowl repeats if he's so worried about weapons and incapable of going on adventures? (Via Geeks of Doom)

​If you're a massive Ghostbusters fan and desperately trying to avoid spoilers about the seemingly-happening Ghostbusters 3 movie, I'd put your particle accelerator in front of your eyes, because this is a big, big spoiler. If it's true. Which it could be. So... you've been warned.

Remember when Sigorney Weaver said in some Avatar interview that Bill Murray was going to be a ghost? Well... now Bill Murray is saying he's going to be a ghost, too. From an interview with The Mail as summed up by Empire:

"I'll come back in Ghostbusters 3 only if I get to be a ghost," Murray told The Mail On Sunday in an exclusive interview. "I said to them, 'I'll do it if you kill me off in the first reel.' So now they are going to have me as a ghost in the film."

Fuck. Is there anyone who wants Bill Murray to be a ghost in a Ghostbusters film other than Bill Murray? I want him to bust some goddamn ghosts, dammit. Does this mean that there'll definitely be a new young team for the elder Ghostbusters to train? I have no idea.

Now, there is a not minuscule chance that this might be untrue, despite the seeming confirmations from both Weaver and Murray. First of all, the Murray interview was done back in last October, although The Mail has for whatever reason decided to finally publish it last weekend. That's 3-4 months where things could have changed. Also, we've all heard about the millions of GB3 scripts; maybe he and Weaver were referring to an older one. And last but not least, this is Bill Murray. He could be yanking our chains. I certainly hope so, but it certainly feels like I'm in denial over this. My question for you guys -- can Ghostbusters 3 be that enjoyable if Venkman is a ghost for most of it?

This is the commercial for the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time movie that aired during the Super Bowl last night. Since I'm still recovering from a great game and a great party, please just recall my previous comments -- looks surprisingly accurate to the videogame, Jake Gyllenhaal is so not Persian -- and pretend I also said something brilliant and funny. Now I'm going to get some coffee.

In an awkward picture from the German Toy Fair!
​Details from the press release:

STAR WARS AT-AT (Approximate Retail Value: $99.99; Ages: 5 & up; Available: August 1, 2010)
In space, size does matter, and Hasbro certainly kept that in mind when creating its all-new, highly detailed STAR WARS AT-AT. The AT-AT (All Terrain Armored Transport) played a significant role in the Empire's military assault in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, and it will play an equally important role in every fan's toy collection this year! Measuring more than 24 inches tall, nearly 28 inches long, and 12 inches wide, this colossal vehicle holds up to 20 STAR WARS figures - 6 of which can fit in its head alone! - and includes so many play and electronic features true to its on-screen counterpart that it's hard to believe! From the zip-line in its body and articulated legs for superb poseability, to its LED lights and authentic movie sounds and phrases, this is the must-have addition for STAR WARS fans of all ages. Includes a 3 ¾ inch AT-AT driver action figure and a pop-out speeder bike.

Seriously, guys, this thing is so awesome I don't even want to have sex with it. I want to marry it and provide it with a wonderful, stable life in which it knows it is loved and cared for. (Via 16bit and JediInsider)

No, it's not a new faux literary classic -- it's a fan-altered trailer to add a bit of vampiric goodness into the classic film. It's a bit subtle, but it's incredibly well done, and extremely well edited. Here's the summary from the YouTube page:

The film tells the story of Scarlett O' Hara, one of the last surviving human beings, who is caught in the midst of a great vampire civil war. Marvel as she outwits the forces of the undead, while she flirts with her true bloo... er... love. Complete with heartaches and staked hearts, "Gone with the Wind with Vampires" will 'blow' you away.

Well, at the very least, no one sparkles. Thanks to Ivan for the tip.

Looks like Sega's Iron Man 2 game is coming along well. There's ground battles, air battles and punching, although I can't tell exactly how free you are to go back and forth between the modes, or if they're specific gameplay styles for specific missions (I'm hoping the former). Also, I can't tell if War Machine is actually Player 2 and you can play co-op missions or if he's just another playable character -- it'd be pretty cool if it were the former, but I'm sadly betting it's the latter. In fact, I don't know why I posted this video at all. My bad. Move along.

The all-new teaser trailer for The Last Airbender -- née the Avatar cartoon movie -- was due to premiere on Sunday during the Super Bowl, but has leaked on line and HOLY FUCKING SHIT IT LOOKS INCREDIBLE. I haven't seen a minute of the cartoon (I know, I know, all I need to watch is Doctor Who season 4 and the specials and then it's all Avatar, okay?) and even I think it's gorgeous and cool. Hell, it's so awesome that the words "Written, Produced and Directed by M. Night Shyamalan" don't make me piss my pants in terror. THAT'S VERY, VERY AWESOME, PEOPLE. (Via /Film)