Here is the first official look at Grant Heslov’s George Clooney starrer, “Men Who Stare At Goats.” Featuring at this year’s Venice and Toronto film festivals, the dark comedy stars the likes of Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges and Kevin Spacey and centers on a journalist’s partnership with an ex-solider as they look to uncover the government’s development of “Warrior Monks,” a legion of psychic powered soldiers. [TIFF via Collider]
Rob Riggle of “The Daily Show” has been cast in Adam McKay’s “The Other Guys” (formerly known as “The B-Team”). The film centers on Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg’s behind-the-desk police officers with Riggle portraying one half of a hot-shot “Bruce Willis and Mel Gibson-type” pair of cops. On recommendation from the MTV reporter, McKay is also now seeking Craig Robinson as Riggle’s partner. McKay also noted that the film will feature “a big ensemble cast.” In the vein of “Anchorman” we assume. [MTV]
A new photo from James Cameron’s “Avatar” has been unveiled providing a clear, seemingly non-CGI look at what is being reported as a Na’vi hybrid, whatever that means. The jokes have already begun… [RopesOfSilicon]
Robert Downey Jr. of all people is rumored to be joining the vampire craze in portraying Anne Rice’s Lestat Du Lioncort — previously played by Tom Cruise and Stuart Townsend in “Interview With A Vampire” and “Queen Of The Damned” respectively — in Universal’s reboot of Rice’s series, “Vampire Chronicles.” One too many franchises for Downey Jr.? Yes, vampires are all the rage right now, but oversaturated and kinda lame as can be. Let it rest already, christ. [BloodyDisgusting]
Sam Rockwell has confirmed that his Justin Hammer character in “Iron Man 2” will in fact be teaming with Mickey Rourke’s Whiplash in a fight against Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark. “I’m sort of a fast-talking arms dealer and Mickey’s a weapons maker, so he’s a very dangerous man—he’s been in the joint. And I’ve got the money. So we team up together to get [Stark],” Rockwell revealed. There are so many ways this sequel could go wrong: the overrated original’s high bar, too many characters introduced, Rourke’s ridiculous look, Scarlett Johansson, but we will say the teaser footage that leaked from ComicCon looked good and seems to keep in tone of the original. [MTV]
A German trailer for Michael Haneke’s “The White Ribbon” has been released. While it doesn’t have any English subtitles, you can still get a feel for the gorgeous aesthetics and haunting tones we discussed in a recent MIFF review. [Twitch]
