'The Hobbit': WB Handles Worldwide Distribution, Elijah Wood May Return as Frodo

MGM and Warner Bros. have reached a deal that gives WB the rights to handle international theatrical and video distribution on "The Hobbit". MGM will retain international television licensing for the movie, which is split into two parts. Words are, WB pays the entire cost of the project which has a price-tag expected to exceed $500 million.

In related news, Deadline Hollywood talks about "Lord of the Rings" cast who would appear in "The Hobbit". In addition to Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis and Orlando Bloom, Elijah Wood is now reported to join Peter Jackson's adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit" and reprise his role as Frodo.

McKellen, Serkis and Bloom have been rumored to return as Gandalf, Gollum and Legolas respectively. In the meantime, Hugo Weaving is expected to return as Lord Elrond. However, the only "LOTR" cast who has been officially announced as part of "The Hobbit" is Cate Blanchett who will once again portray Galadriel aka Lady of Lothlorien.

"The Hobbit" and "The Hobbit 2" will be shot back to back with principal photography planned to be kicked off in February 2011 in New Zealand. The first film is scheduled for December 2012 release and the second film will follow a year later. Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Guillermo del Toro team up to write the script. Martin Freeman takes the lead role of Bilbo Baggins.

Johnny Depp: 'Pirates 4' Won't Be Confusing

Johnny Depp has vowed to bring a "freshness" to the next installment of the "Pirate of the Caribbean" franchise, after admitting the last two movies were confusing. The actor is reprising his famous role of swashbuckler Captain Jack Sparrow in the upcoming "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides", which Depp insists features a less convoluted plot than its predecessors.

He tells Britain's Empire magazine, "The things with Pirates 4, I felt like we owed it to people... You know? Pirates 2 and 3 became quite... sub-plotty (sic). The mathematics of it. All these people went to see them two or three times just to figure out what was happening. This one is a little closer in tone to the first: more character driven... more subject driven. It has a freshness... less mathematics."

"Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" opens in U.S. theaters on May 20.

'Ghost Rider 2' to Feature 'New Origin Sequence'

"Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance" is still in production and Nicolas Cage wants to convince people that the film will not let us down. In a new interview, the depicter of Johnny Blaze says this follow-up to 2007 "Ghost Rider" will be different from the predecessor.

"(It's going to be) very different. A completely new experience and that's how the directors choose to see it," he promises. The lead actor further reveals that filmmakers will put out a new take on the character's origin story which leads to a speculation of reboot story, saying "I mean there's even a new origin sequence."

On working with directors Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor, Cage says, "They're not like anybody else I've worked with. They do things with the camera that are just extraordinary." He adds, "They're brand new. The director's on rollerblades and hanging from wires with the camera, holding on to the motorcycle and it's going to be really wild."

"Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance" is filmed in Romania and will see stunt motorcyclist Johnny Blaze, who morphs into the demon vigilante Ghost Rider, hiding out in remote Eastern Europe and struggling to repress his curse. Ciaran Hinds and Idris Elba are some actors who will be featured in the action fantasy thriller along with Nicolas Cage. The movie is set for February 17, 2012 release in the U.S.

The 10 Most Anticipated Movies of 2011

A new year means new things to come and movie industry takes part in this, too. Since successful flicks like "Avatar" and "Inception" have set the bar higher last year, people can expect more developed films, both in stories and technology, for their entertainment in 2011.

While Michael Bay combines the action-packed signature with 3-D in "Transformers: Dark of the Moon", Terrence Malick pitches a fresh story for "The Tree of Life" that presents drama in a more twisting way. Other films that have become talks of the town during 2010 and will potentially become box office hits are sorted in this list of The 10 Most Anticipated Movies in 2011 by AceShowbiz.

A number of movies which stories originate from other works, however, do not make it into this list for AceShowbiz has discussed them in a previously released article under the title Must See Movie Adaptations in 2011.

Battle: Los Angeles

Release Date: March 11

An alien invasion movie is not something new. But in "Battle: Los Angeles", director Jonathan Liebesman wants to expose the Armageddon from the point of view of the Marines. The war against the aliens will be felt close to audience's perspective since the film has a documentary vibe. With the extraterrestrial creatures portrayed like an army too, the human platoon faces tough enemies that are organized and having unusual figures.

Red Riding Hood

Release Date: March 11

Catherine Hardwicke made her success with the first "Twilight" movie and after parting ways with the franchise she takes on famous tale "Red Riding Hood". Her version will not be kids friendly for David Johnson's script is written with the touch of Gothic and Amanda Seyfried's Valerie is "a bit naughty" girl who is entangled in a love triangle while facing off a werewolf that threatens her village. This modernized story will make you think that you've never heard one like this before.

Sucker Punch

Release Date: March 25

Bored of seeing a band of big guys kicking some ass, "Sucker Punch" will present tough chicks in tight leather outfits loading their weapons in a beyond-imagination battle. Zack Snyder's dark take makes sure this will not be a girlie movie despite the fact that it relies on sweet young actresses like Emily Browning and Vanessa Hudgens as lead stars. The psychological issue faced by main character Babydoll will add the twist as audience will be teased to define which one is her reality and which one is the fantasy.

Scream 4

Release Date: April 15

One of the most successful horror film franchises returns after ten years. Still with Wes Craven serving behind the lens, "Scream 4" will resurrect the terror that haunts Woodsboro and beloved character Sydney Prescott. Original actors Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette reunite to aid fans' longing, while Emma Roberts and Hayden Panettiere are added to the cast ensemble to attract younger audiences. Famous cameo of Kristen Bell and Anna Paquin is another thing that will keep you from blinking when watching the movie.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Release Date: May 20

Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow's drunken speech and tricky traps are always number one attractions in "Pirates of the Caribbean" films and he does not lose his charms though he will not be supported by Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley anymore in "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides". He finds love interest as well as "equal adversary" in Penelope Cruz's Angelica who will distract his journey in seeking the Fountain of Youth that can be seen as real as possible with 3-D treatment.

The Hangover 2

Release Date: May 26

Get ready to be shocked for Todd Phillips teases there will be some "f**ked-up surprises" in "The Hangover 2". Learning from the flop of another comedy franchise which just makes use of the previous film's popularity, the helmer aims high for "The Hangover" sequel. Main actors consisting of hilarious Zach Galifianakis and gorgeous Bradley Cooper return, still joined by Ken Jeong who undoubtedly could be raunchy and funny at the same time. Though they will only be brief ones, cameo appearances of Oscar winner Liam Neeson and former president Bill Clinton should not be missed.

Kung Fu Panda 2

Release Date: May 27

After successfully becoming a kung fu master, Po's new challenge will require him to trace back his past. A follow-up to one of DreamWorks' best animations, "Kung Fu Panda 2" will still feature the loveable Panda alongside his friends, with original stars including Jack Black, Lucy Liu, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen and Angelina Jolie returning to voice these characters. A mix of detailed pictures and 3-D technology will surely create a great visual entertainment for the whole family members.

The Tree of Life

Release Date: May 27

Oscar-nominated Terrence Malick, who has some of his only few feature films considered masterpieces, is back with "The Tree of Life". Pitched since 2005, the drama is promoted to present incredible effects shots and a concept that have never been seen before. From the trailer, it seems that the movie will tell a fresh "impressionistic" story in a poetic way with beautiful sceneries as the backdrops. Two-time Oscar winner Sean Penn as well as Golden Globe and Oscar nominee Brad Pitt take the key roles, giving a promise that they will bring the characters to life convincingly.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Release Date: July 1

Michael Bay admits "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" was full of flaws and he promises to do his best for "Transformers: Dark of the Moon", bringing the core mythology from the Autobots and Decepticons' history. Sexy Megan Fox is not joining this full-of-explosions movie, but disappointed not for Sam Witwicky's new girl is portrayed by Victoria's Secret model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. And if the swirling words are indeed true, this third "Transformers" film will mark the end of the trilogy and thus you have no reason to miss it.

Final Destination 5

Release Date: August 26

For years, "Final Destination" franchise has successfully attracted moviegoers who love films that can pump up their adrenalines. In upcoming "Final Destination 5", death chases another group of youngsters with a new set of unanticipated accidents, including a stunt set on a suspension bridge. Steven Quale, fresh from serving as the second unit director on James Cameron's "Avatar", is hired as a helmer and it is expected that he will bring something fresh to the next installment and handle the 3-D scenes better than "The Final Destination" director did.

John Cusack's '2012' Named Worst Sci-Fi Movie By NASA

NASA scientists have named John Cusack's blockbuster "2012 (2009)" as the most "absurd" sci-fi film of all time. Experts at America's National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Science and Entertainment Exchange have put together a list of the least plausible science fiction movies ever made, and the big budget 2009 picture came top.

The film, which depicted Earth besieged by natural disasters, featured ahead of two more 'end-of-the-world' movies - 2003's "The Core" and 1998's "Armageddon". Donald Yeomans, head of NASA's Near-Earth Asteroid Rendezvous mission, says of "2012", "It's absurd. The film-makers took advantage of public worries about the so-called end of the world as apparently predicted by the Mayans of Central America, whose calendar ends on December 21, 2012."

"The agency is getting so many questions from people terrified that the world is going to end in 2012 that we have had to put up a special website to challenge the myths. We have never had to do this before."

Staff at the organization also compiled a list of the top 10 most realistic sci-fi films, with 1997's "Gattaca", starring Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman as space agency workers, winning the highest praise from the scientists. NASA experts also named dinosaur movie "Jurassic Park" and Jodie Foster's "Contact among the most realistic sci-fi films.

Red Band Trailer for Natalie Portman's 'No Strings Attached' Arrives

Paramount Pictures has unleashed a red band trailer for "No Strings Attached" and it shows how raunchy the film would be. Filled with some adult-themed dialogs, sex scenes and F-word, the trailer also gives a glimpse of Ashton Kutcher's naked butt.

Natalie Portman takes the female lead role of Emma Franklin who makes agreement with her friend, Kutcher's Adam Kurtzman, to start a relationship where they have sex without involving any emotional baggage. But it's not long before they learn that they want something more.

"My Super Ex-Girlfriend" director Ivan Reitman serves behind the lens for "No Strings Attached" with the script written by Elizabeth Meriwether. The romantic comedy will make its way out in U.S. cinemas on January 21.

Another film with similar theme will also come out in 2011. Starring Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis, "Friends with Benefits" from helmer Will Gluck is slated for July 22 release in the U.S.

'Monsters, Inc. 2' Could Be a Prequel

Little has been known regarding "Monsters, Inc. 2" since it was first reported being developed in 2008. But now, Disney Central Plaza (via Stitch Kingdom) has a tidbit from the project, saying that the movie is going to be a prequel.

The site claims that a Disney film catalog has a brief plot synopsis for the film. And according to the synopsis, the upcoming movie "will take us back to before a time when Mike Wazowski was top comedian, before James P. Sullivan was top scarer, even before the buddies joined the MI workforce. In fact it takes us all the way back to school - the University of Fear to be precise. Although the two start out as frenemies, Monsters, Inc. 2 will weave the tale of how the dynamic duo transition from rivals to BFFs."

This, however, should be taken as just a rumor. Additionally, things could change and evolve over the course of development so the currently unveiled plot may not be used for the film.

"Monsters, Inc. 2" has tapped "Monsters, Inc." director Pete Docter to return to the helming duty. The upcoming animation is due November 12, 2011 in the U.S.

Pixar's "Monsters, Inc." follows the #1 scarer at Monstropolis' power company, Sulley (John Goodman) and his partner Mike (Billy Crystal), who get into trouble when a human toddler accidentally comes into their world. Having to avoid problems with the higher authorities, they now have to find a way home for the toddler. Released in 2001, the movie earned over $525.4 million worldwide.

'Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules' Welcomes Teaser Trailer

20th Century Fox is moving fast with its "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" film franchise. After releasing the first film in early 2010, now the studio is prepping to drop the sequel "Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules" on March 25.

An early look at the movie has been provided in a form of teaser trailer which is debuted via Yahoo! Movies. It follows Greg Heffley who is now on the seventh grade and dealing with problems, new and old, but none more prominent than the punishments of his older brother Rodrick.

"Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2", just like the predecessor, is based on the best-selling follow-up novel by Jeff Kinney. Zachary Gordon returns as Greg Heffley, joined by Robert Capron, Steve Zahn, Rachel Harris and Devon Bostick who reprise their roles of Rowley Jefferson, Frank Heffley, Susan Heffley and Rodrick Heffley respectively. David Bowers is still responsible for the directing duty.