Stuff We Missed: Transformers, Russian Tom Cruise and Mumblecore

Because it's easier when everything is in one spot ...

-- Michael Bay stopped to chat with Collider on the red carpet during the Friday the 13th premiere, and he talked all things Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Highlights include Bay calling the three scenes they shot in IMAX "awesome" and the film itself "dark", as well as noting that while he'd be interested in directing a third Transformers movie, he definitely wants to take a year off first. Also: New toy images of the robots over here.

-- Sam Rockwell has joined Hilary Swank in a legal drama called Betty Ann Waters, which tells the true story of a woman who spent a decade trying to free her innocent brother (Rockwell) from a life-in-prison sentence for a crime she thinks he didn't commit. [Hollywood Reporter]

-- Say what? Tom Cruise may star alongside Denzel Washington in the next David Cronenberg flick? Sounds like some bizarre nightmare you had after a night of partying with some film buddies, but it's totally true. The film is that big-budget adaptation of The Matarese Circle, and Cruise would go from playing a German in Valkyrie to a Russian spy who's the "mortal enemy" of Washington's American intelligence character. Word is this sucker has Bourne-like franchise potential. [Hollywood Reporter]

-- The Mumblecore movement is slowly inching its way toward the mainstream as indie darling Greta Gerwig (Baghead, Hannah Takes the Stairs) has signed on to star opposite Ben Stiller (!) in Noah Baumbach's (Squid and the Whale) next film, Greenberg. No plot information yet (relationships, awkwardness, etc ...), but I'm jazzed to see Gerwig getting some more love. She's a fantastic moody actress that deserves greater exposure. [Hollywood Reporter]

-- Rob Zombie's Halloween sequel (aka H2) will hit theaters on August 28, 2009. Check out the teaser poster that was sent to us below.



-- Yes, Zack Snyder is totally directing an animated film after bringing us hype machines like 300 and Watchmen, and more folks were just added to the ever-growing voice cast. Jim Sturgess, Geoffrey Rush, Rachael Taylor and David Wenhem will lend their voices to the owl-centric flick Guardians of Ga'Hoole -- about a barn owl who must join forces with an elite (and mystical) group of owl protectors to save the owl kingdom. I say there aren't enough films about owls, so bring it Snyder! [Hollywood Reporter]