McKenzie, Cranston Voice "Batman: Year One"

In one of the coolest developments in recent memory, Frank Miller's amazing graphic novel "Batman: Year One" is being made into an animated film and the voice cast is shaping up to be absolutely great.

According to Heat Vision Benjamin McKenzie, Bryan Cranston, Eliza Dushku and Katee Sackhoff are all set to lend their voices to Warner Premiere’s upcoming direct-to-disc animated adaptation of Frank Miller's acclaimed graphic novel "Batman: Year One."

McKenzie ("The O.C.") will voice Bruce Wayne and Batman, Cranston ("Breaking Bad") will play a young lieutenant James Gordon, Dushku ("Dollhouse") will star as Catwoman, and Sackhoff ("Battlestar Galactica") will be Gordon’s love interest Detective Sarah Essen.

In the article producer Bruce Timm said the PG-13 rated feature will be a "straight forward literal retelling" of the comic with 80% of the camera setups based on David Mazzucchelli’s artwork.

On top of the fact that the book is easily one of the best ever created for Batman, the voice cast is just stacked from top to bottom. Cranston is fantastic and I'm totally pumped about having McKenzie and Sackhoff involved, considering they were a part of two of my favorite shows in recent memory, "Southland" and "Battlestar Galactica."

The book had some amazing visuals and it's very refreshing to see that the filmmakers want to keep things as accurate and based on the book as possible. Miller's story was one of the best origin stories for Batman and while many wished it turned into a live-action adaptation for many years, that's really not a big deal anymore with Chris Nolan having done a great job with the franchise. In fact this is probably the best way for it to be done especially if fans want the adaptation to stick closely with the actual graphic novel.

The film is set to premiere at Comic Con before hitting stores in the Fall.

Patrick Warburton Joins MacFarlane's "Ted"

Seth MacFarlane has already dominated the animation world with his hit series "Family Guy," and with his new film "Ted," he is looking to make his first foray into live action comedy and its shaping up to be quite the project.

The film has an already stacked cast and has just added another comedic vet to the fold. According to Deadline Patrick Warburton has joined the cast of MacFarlane's "Ted" at Universal Pictures.

The story revolves around a thirty-something Boston man (Mark Wahlberg) whose childhood teddy bear came to life and is now a cursing, smoking, delinquent that prevents the man from maturing. Warburton will play Guy, a sexually confused Enterprise Rent-A-Car co-worker of Wahlberg's character.

The films cast is already deep with Mila Kunis, Giovanni Ribisi and Joel McHale also starring, and now having Warburton just adds another layer to the project. The film sounds like it’s a perfect project for MacFarlane, and having Wahlberg in the lead role is just too good to be true. While the actor might be better known for his dramatic or action work, he clearly is comfortable in comedy as seen in "The Other Guys," which was absolutely hilarious.

I'll always love Warburton for his Puddy character on "Seinfeld" and I can see him playing off the other cast members in the movie very well.

The film will start production later this year.

Alec Baldwin Joins Woody Allen's Next

Woody Allen is a director who always can get a fantastic cast together, no matter what type of script or where it shoots, and for his next film the legendary director is at it again.

According to Deadline Alec Baldwin has joined the cast of Woody Allen's upcoming project to be shot in Rome this summer. Jesse Eisenberg is also in talks for a lead role in the film which will hit screens next year.

While no story details have been released, it's expected to make full use of the capital the way Allen's earlier films did with Rome and his more recent ones have done with London and Barcelona.

This would be Baldwin's first time working with Allen since "Alice" way back in the early 90's. Baldwin has been fantastic on "30 Rock" all these years and with rumors of that show coming to an end, Baldwin should have tons more opportunities to star in films. The actor currently is set to star in the new adaptation of "Rock of Ages" as well and should fit perfectly in Allen's new project.

Rome truly is a fantastic city and serves as an excellent location for a Woody Allen picture to be set. It'll also be interesting to see Eisenberg directed by Allen, considering the two have fairly similar mannerisms and way of speaking.

It's always exciting to see Allen get to work with a great cast in a great location and this one is no different. Shooting will begin later this year.

Michael Mann, Paul Haggis Find "Gold"

Although his name may not come to mind as quickly as let's say Scorcese when thinking of the best director's in Hollywood, there's no doubt that Michael Mann is one of the top helmers working.

Through his career he has made some amazing films including "Heat," "The Last of the Mohicans," "Manhunter" and "The Insider" and for one of his next projects the great director is teaming with one of Hollywood's best filmmakers.

According to Heat Vision Mann ("Heat") and Paul Haggis ("Crash") are teaming for the contemporary thriller "Gold."

Described as being in the vein of Bogart classic "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre," the story revolves around a ruthless search for the precious metal. Haggis was initially drawn to the script, but other projects took his attention.

TV producers Patrick Massett and John Zinman ("Friday Night Lights") wrote the script and the plan now is to develop and package the project, with Mann directing and Haggis producing.

While no actors are attached at this time this project has a boat load of potential. "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" is one of the best films of all time and combining the talents of Mann and Haggis to bring this story to fruition is just a dream come true. Mann has shown through his career that no matter the location, story or subject matter, he can bring out some amazing performances and this film should have no shortage of dramatic moments.

Mann has worked with some big named stars in the past, including Russell Crowe, Johnny Depp, Daniel Day Lewis, Tom Cruise and more, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see someone with some start power in the main role.

While the film is still in the early stages more news should come about in the next few months.

Joshua Jackson To "Lay the Favorite"

If you look at Joshua Jackson and still see Pacey Witter from "Dawson's Creek,"you might have a few problems. On top of the fact that you are stuck in the wrong decade, you've totally missed out on some of the most enjoyable TV work in a while. "Fringe" is one of the best shows on TV, and while John Noble and Anna Torv are both great on the show, Jackson is just as good, bringing some emotion and brooding rage to the table.

Jackson has had a very solid career since his "Dawson's Creek" days, but while working on "Fringe" he hasn't been able to do much film work apart from "One Week" and "Shutter," but that’s about to change.

The actor is attached to the adaptation "U.F.O." and according to Variety Jackson is in talks to star in Stephen Frears' "Lay the Favorite" for Pathe and Emmett Furla Films reports Variety.

Based on Beth Raymer’s bestseller "Lay the Favorite: A Memoir of Gambling", the story charts her rise from lowly Vegas cocktail waitress to one of the top sports gambling bookmakers. After falling in love, Raymer soon begins to re-evaluate her life and the profession she has chosen. Rebecca Hall and Bruce Willis also star.

Frears is one of Hollywood's most underrated directors, having worked on such great films as "High Fidelity," "The Queen" and "Dirty Pretty Things" and should bring a great eye to this project. He is very versatile and has worked on all types of genres in his career, including comedies, dramas and biopics.

Jackson joins an already strong cast with Willis and Hall, who gave a great performance last year in Ben Affleck's "The Town" and should bring some emotional depth to the project.

D.V. DeVincentis (”High Fidelity,” “Grosse Pointe Blank”) adapted the script and shooting aims to kick off in New Orleans in the coming weeks.

Michael Mann, Paul Haggis Find "Gold"

Although his name may not come to mind as quickly as let's say Scorcese when thinking of the best director's in Hollywood, there's no doubt that Michael Mann is one of the top helmers working. Through his career he has made some amazing films including "Heat," "The Last of the Mohicans," "Manhunter" and "The Insider" and for one of his next projects the great director is teaming with one of Hollywood's best filmmakers.

According to Heat Vision Mann ("Heat") and Paul Haggis ("Crash") are teaming for the contemporary thriller "Gold." Described as being in the vein of Bogart classic "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre," the story revolves around a ruthless search for the precious metal. Haggis was initially drawn to the script, but other projects took his attention.

TV producers Patrick Massett and John Zinman ("Friday Night Lights") wrote the script and the plan now is to develop and package the project, with Mann directing and Haggis producing.

While no actors are attached at this time this project has a boat load of potential. "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" is one of the best films of all time and combining the talents of Mann and Haggis to bring this story to fruition is just a dream come true. Mann has shown through his career that no matter the location, story or subject matter, he can bring out some amazing performances and this film should have no shortage of dramatic moments.

Mann has worked with some big named stars in the past, including Russell Crowe, Johnny Depp, Daniel Day Lewis, Tom Cruise and more, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see someone with some start power in the main role.

While the film is still in the early stages more news should come about in the next few months.

Kevin Durand Visits "Cosmopolis"

Don DeLillo's novel "Cosmopolis" seems almost impossible to adapt for some filmmakers, basically because the book takes place mostly in a limo riding through a city. But if there was one director I would trust to make it, it's David Cronenberg. The project has already put together an excellent cast and it's looking to add another solid actor to the fold.

According to Variety. Kevin Durand ("Robin Hood," "I Am Number Four") is in final negotiations to join the cast of Cronenberg's "Cosmopolis."

An adaptation of Don DeLillo's popular novel, Robert Pattinson plays a financial whiz who risks his immense fortune by betting against the yen on one particularly chaotic day. His decisions eventually make him the target of an assassination. Most of the film is set inside a limousine as Pattinson's character is transported from one location to another. Durand would play his chief security officer.

The cast of the film is truly stacked, with Samantha Morton, Juliette Binoche, Paul Giamatti and Sarah Gadon also starring. Cronenberg is making the film a full service project, with him writing, directing and producing.

The book was one of my favorites by DeLillo, and you'd be hard pressed to find a better director to tackle the project. Adding Durand to the cast is a great choice, especially to play a security guard. The actor is super-underrated and has given some great performances in his career, including on "Lost" as well as in "Robin Hood," "Smokin' Aces" and "3:10 to Yuma."

The film is set for a 2010 release.

McBride Penning Hick Heist Tale

In a short time funny man Danny McBride has established himself as a force in the comedy world. From Kenny Powers to "Pineapple Express" to his new film "Your Highness," McBride has shown that he has a keen insight to comedy and has amassed quite the following and he has no plans of slowing down.

His new film came out this past week and according to an interview in GQ McBride says that he already has plans for an upcoming project based on a screenplay he wrote with Jody Hill a few years back.

McBride described the story to the magazine, which is based on a real-life 1997 bank robbery in Charlotte. McBride said: "These rednecks robbed Loomis Fargo for over $17 million. And they would have gotten away with it, except they stayed in the town they were living in. They literally moved from trailers into the richest neighborhoods in town, lived like kings, bought their wives tit jobs. Jody wants to make it like a southern Godfather."

McBride and Hill met in film school and have collaborated ever since, including on their first amazing film "The Foot Fist Way" and the TV show "Eastbound & Down."

At this point in my eyes McBride can do no wrong. While some less informed people find his humor stupid or sophomoric, there's a legion of fans out there that know McBride is truly great at what he does. Sure Kenny Powers is a profanity hurling sex fiend but he also is emotionally deep and culturally significant. The new project actually sounds like it could be something truly amazing, especially if McBride wants to star in it.

The article also describes some other projects McBride is working on, including turning a bare-knuckle boxing doc into a TV series, and helping establish a show about a hitman which several Australian filmmakers are trying to set up at HBO.

Ben Affleck Wanted For "Great Gatsby"

Although I admit I'm slightly afraid of what Baz Luhrmann might do to "The Great Gatsby," so far I can't knock the man for his casting choices. The book is my favorite of all time and he has landed three of my personal favorite actors to play parts in the film and is looking at another one.

According to The Hollywood Reporter Ben Affleck is in talks to join Baz Luhrmann's film adaptation of the F. Scott Fitzgerald classic "The Great Gatsby" for Warner Bros. Pictures.

Leonardo DiCaprio is pegged to play the wealthy and mysterious Jay Gatsby who still pines for his former flame Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan). Tobey Maguire also stars, while Affleck is said to be interested in playing Daisy's wealthy husband Tom Buchanan.

As of right now there is a slight scheduling conflict with Affleck, his next directorial effort, the political thriller "Argo", is currently aiming to shoot in September while "Gatsby" is looking to start in August, but both sides are trying to figure it out.

Many have knocked Affleck's acting in the past, but his performances recently, including in "The Town," and his directorial work should be enough to say that he is a great choice. Affleck would be the perfect type to play opposite DiCaprio and he has the machismo and look to play the brutish Tom Buchanan.

The film has potential to be something truly amazing, especially since the cast is filled with a slew of former Oscar nominees and talented actors. The 3D project aims to kick off principal photography in August.