Last fall, Cinematical head honcho Erik Davis referred to screenwriter Justin Marks as "the guy they brought in to f*ck up He-Man." At the time, I wholeheartedly agreed with the boss man. But as of today, I'm changing my mind. If the script review over at Latino Review is to be trusted, Marks has done anything but f*ck up the adaptation of our beloved '80s cartoon series/action figure line. El Mayimbe has read the latest draft of Grayskull: Masters of the Universe, and he's graded the text an A+. And if that's not good enough for you, here's a sweet summation: "GRAYSKULL is LORD OF THE RINGS meets THE MATRIX and a little BATMAN BEGINS thrown in for good measure."

I don't know about you, but that sounds awesome. It certainly sounds better than both the 1987 He-Man adaptation, Masters of the Universe and the 1982 non-adaptation The Beastmaster, which I always thought of as a pre-He-Man He-Man movie (anyone else ever notice that Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time has the same plot as Masters of the Universe?). Of course, neither of those movies would be hard to beat. Warner Bros. and producer Joel Silver could hire a monkey to write a better script.

Unless you're hoping to avoid spoilers, head over to Latino Review to read more praise and plot information for Grayskull (and weep for the omission of Orko). And after getting pumped up about that movie, keep in mind that Marks also wrote or co-wrote the scripts for the upcoming Green Arrow (formerly Supermax: Green Arrow), which IESB.net just reported is looking at a possible summer 2009 release date, Voltron and Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (for which we shared another Latino Review script review last year).

By the power of J.J. Abrams, I give you the following nuggets of fanboy info:

• The brand spanking new Cloverfield trailer is now online! Only some dude (or dudette) recorded it on their cell during a sneak preview of Beowulf and you can hardly see the thing, it's crazy blurry. But what you do see is the title ... and, as previously reported, it's ... Cloverfield! Can I get a f*ck you J.J. Abrams for that one! Months dude, months. And you decide to say, "F*ck it, let's just leave it as Cloverfield." Then again, that's the title most people associate the film with, so I don't blame them (marketing-wise) for not changing it up too much. But ... still. Anyway, I'd personally stay away from watching the cruddy YouTube pirated trailer if I were you (not worth it, trust me), as a new clearer version will most likely hit the net within 24 hours. Will the film live up to all the hype? Sure it will ... just look at Snakes on a Plane. Or not. [via Filmstalker]
• Screenwriter Justin Marks (aka the guy they brought in to f*ck up He-Man) was interviewed recently in the new issue of Toy Fare, and he had plenty to say about his take on the new, updated, re-imagining, blah blah of everyone's favorite 80s blonde-haired surfer warrior on steroids. Here's a sample of the interview (which can be read in full over on IESB): Marks says, "He-Man is sword-and-sandals meets science fiction. If you avoid it and just try to make it sword and sandals, then it becomes a boring movie. If you just try to make it science fiction, it's going to be really kitschy and weird, and it's not going to be true to He-Man. You have to make it both. So we have to come up with specific ideas, grounded, that would spawn a world that was people carrying around swords, and yet, guys like Tri-Klops running around with his spinning visor and this sort of nano-technological way about him. What is the sorcery that can create stuff like that?" God bless my man, and good luck!

Cinematical was lucky enough to visit the set of Fighting last night in New York City, where Channing Tatum and Terrence Howard were shooting scenes for the new drama directed by Dito Montiel (A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints). It was a night shoot, and so this writer didn't leave the set until close to one in the morning (which was their lunch!), but before I bounced home to my bed, I managed to speak with Tatum for a bit about the role, and other -- more superhero-ish stuff -- that might be in store for the actor down the line. Of course, the first thing we were wondering was whether Tatum was among those who auditioned for the new Justice League of America movie.

Has he been approached to play any superhero roles? Tatum said, "Yeah, yeah, I mean a few, a few -- I don't know, I just can't quite see myself as that yet. I like that, and eventually one day I'd like to do it; I just don't want to do it yet." Did he audition for any of the Justice League roles? "No, none of the Justice League. The only superhero I've ever auditioned for was Gambit, for the third X-Men. They ended up pulling the character out of the movie. I don't know, someone told me about a crazy He-Man thing -- I don't know, I can't quite figure it out. I need to really want it. I can only go after something that I really want bad."

Tatum also revealed that there is one superhero-ish project that he is working on: "There is a hero thing that I'm actually producing. It's called Plucker. It's a graphic novel by Brom, and I got it set up at Temple Hill, and it's now set up at New Line -- it's going to be a crazy sort of fantastical story about a jack-in-the-box that saves this boy. It's a weird, sort of darker, trippier version of Toy Story." When asked if it would be animated or live action, Tatum replied, "I don't know, we have to find a director that has a vision for it first."

Could you see Channing Tatum in any superhero roles? If so, which ones?

It looks like Warner Bros. has a few things to clear up about their big-screen version of Thundercats. An article in the LA Times confirms that the film will be done entirely with CGI. It was just a few days ago the Patrick had reported that the series had been given the go-ahead for a film treatment with relative newcomer Paul Sopocy on board to write the live-action script. Now, a spokesperson for WB confirmed that despite any talk of the contrary, the film would be animated. Which is probably for the best, since I can't see many big name actors willing to get into cat-suits, or wanting to play a Snarf. Misperceptions about the film aside, WB is still planning on using Sopocy's script.

The original story of Thundercats revolved around a band of "felinesque" characters who suffer the double whammy of having their home planet destroyed and then are forced to go on the run from an evil sorcerer named Mumm-Ra. The series spawned a run of comic books and was revived on The Cartoon Network in the late 90's (if you are feeling nostalgic, you can also get the first two seasons on DVD). The announcement of a big-screen version comes on the heels of news of film adaptations of fellow 80's classics G.I. Joe and He-Man. I just hope Sopocy can fill in some of the blanks of the relatively flimsy story of Lion-O and the gang. To be honest, Thundercats only made sense if you were eight years old -- or if you were high. Then again, it's not like G.I. Joe and He-Man would be mistaken for social commentary either, so who am I to judge?

Usually Hollywood waits until a movie's a hit to pounce on everything similar. Transformers hasn't even come out yet, and already just about every 80's toy and cartoon is being violently dragged back into the public eye. I just told you about the dueling scripts for G.I. Joe, He-Man is in the works, and now we've got another show I didn't watch headed for the big screen -- Thundercats. (Seriously, how did I miss all of this stuff as a child? Mom?). Pot-fueled discussions I've heard at parties are now becoming actual films. "Duuude, you know what show was awesome? Thundercats!" Paul Sopocy wrote the script for the live-action feature film, which will be released by Warner Brothers. Thundercats focuses on "a group of humanoid cats (with feline names like Lion-O, Tygra, Panthro and Cheetara) who must flee their planet of Thundera after it's destroyed. Once crash-landing on another planet, Third Earth, they must thwart Mumm-Ra, an evil sorcerer bent on killing them off." Oh. So that's why I didn't watch it!

Sopocy's script will be an origin story, and will "expand on the major heroes and villains from the animated series." The plot will center on Lion-O's coming of age and eventual ascent to the leader of the Thundercats. No word on possible cameos from Heathcliff and Garfield, or whether or not the film will feature Andrew Lloyd Webber musical numbers. Who do you guys see getting cast in this thing? G.I. Joe's a little easier to call, and the success of 300 should make actors a little less wary about hopping into the He-Man wardrobe. But can you think of any major stars who wouldn't mind dressing up in a cat costume? I have a feeling Pacino won't be on the call sheet. What are your feelings on a Thundercats movie? Will it be a meow-sterpiece or a cat-astrophe? If I said I thought it'd be purr-fect, I'd be lion to you! Want me to stop? I'll stop.

It looks like AICN was right on the money. Almost a week ago, Erik Davis alerted us to the website's claims that Joel Silver would be producing the long-in-development-hell feature adaptation of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, with relative newcomer (and upcoming Voltron writer) Justin Marks churning out a script. Variety has now confirmed it, saying that the producer is working with Mattel to get the adaptation off the ground -- they have to approve an outline for the film to go ahead. So far, the plan is the typical battle of good -vs- evil, and it will be shown with 300-type visual effects.

When other girls were watching Strawberry Shortcake in the 80's, I was watching Prince Adam flounce around and call the power of Greyskull, so I'm a fan -- one who is not so sure about this whole idea unless they knock it out of the ballpark. The most recent casting rumors attached Brad Pitt to the role, which would probably make me run for the hills -- not because it's him, but because he's just not He-Man. Then again, there's not many choices out there. Where, oh where have all the action beefcakes gone? So far, I'm with jenk that Jason Lewis is the best bet -- he's less beefy, but definitely has the right look.

But what about the rest of them? Man-At-Arms, Teela and Skeletor? I've sat here for the last ten minutes trying to think up people. I just know there is someone perfect out there for Man-At-Arms, but the best I can come up with is Bill Murray if he got athletic, or Bruce Willis. As for Teela, the only one that seems close enough is Alicia Witt, but I'm not sure that she'd don the outfit and fight skeletal bad guys. Speaking of which -- the only one I'm sure on is Skeletor. Get some guy to run around in the suit, and have it voiced by Jackson Publick (voice of The Monarch and creator of The Venture Bros.). Do you have some better suggestions?

Wait, so He-Man is happening? While a big-screen He-Man project has gone back-and-forth a number of times (at one point, both John Woo and M. Night Shyamalan were attached), AICN claims they know exactly what's going on. According to them, Joel Silver has climbed onboard as producer and newbie scribe Justin Marks has been assigned the task of turning in a workable script. Don't know who Justin Marks is? He's the dude that David Goyer's wife discovered, thus landing him the gig writing that SuperMax flick (aka Green Arrow Goes to Prison). Not only that, but he's also attached to write a big-screen version of Voltron (seems someone professed his love for cheesy '80s action icons during one or two pitch meetings.)

If true, this probably means current He-Man scribe Adam Rifkin is no longer involved in the film. So when he said last month that the film was going to get made, he was being truthful -- it's being made, just not with him. It's also important to note that Warner Bros. has taken charge of this monster, which means those rumors about Legendary Pictures being involved weren't so far-fetched. Ah, but what about the one that claimed Brad Pitt's name was circling the starring role? Well, since then his reps have declined knowing anything about it. However, seeing as the studios have been thinking "outside the box" regarding superhero casting as of late (Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Ed Norton as The Hulk), I wouldn't be surprised if Pitt's name shows up again down the line. We need someone who's blonde and hella strong. Who would you choose to play He-Man?

I'm sorry, but you have to hand it to them Brits for taking a fairly bland rumor and adding to it a whole lot of pizazz. According to The Sun Online (which, right there, means take everything I'm about to say with a ginormous grain of salt), Legendary Pictures (the folks behind Batman Begins, Superman Returns and 300, among others) has pulled the big-screen version of He-Man out of development hell. Not only that, but one inside source claims none other than Brad Pitt is front and center on Legendary's wish list. Says the source, "They are very keen on Brad for the role. He'll have to bulk up though -- he's very fit but not to He-Man proportions." Now if that doesn't sound like a quote that was made up on the spot, then perhaps I can convince you that Cinematical's own Erik Davis is also up for the role.

If Pitt decides not to sign on (that would be a shocker), then The Sun claims Legendary might go after a more realistic target -- that being King Leonidas himself, Gerard Butler. Him, I could kind of see. Pitt, on the other hand, is laughable. Back when Fox 2000 was in charge of the property (they have since ditched the dude and handed him back to Mattel), the potential casting list included names like Paul Walker, Triple H and The Rock. If this story is true, and Legendary really is interested in He-Man, then perhaps that list has been chucked in favor of some names that are guaranteed to bring in the dough. No word on whether screenwriter Adam Rifkin is still attached (last month he claimed the film was still going to be made), but I'm fairly certain John Woo no longer wants anything to do with the hunky blonde superhero. However, I wouldn't be surprised if we hear Zack Snyder's name thrown in the hat. Would you dig He-Man if it went the 300 route? Shooting everything in front of a blue/green screen would definitely cut down the budget and probably make the studio feel more secure in giving the go-ahead.

[via Moviehole]

When we last checked in with He-Man, the blonde 80's superhero was hanging on by a thread -- no longer a master of the universe -- but more like a master of development hell. Fox 2000 had assigned screenwriter Adam Rifkin to pen a new draft, John Woo was still attached as a producer and Cinematical's resident geek Mark Beall couldn't care less. Here's a site tip for all you fanboys out there -- if Mark doesn't get excited about a film (and, trust me, 99% of the time this dude is ecstatic about everything and anything, except maybe Ghost Rider), then it's pretty safe to say the project is a dud.

Recently, Moviehole managed to sneak in a phone call with Fox 2000's Rodney Ferrell and -- He-Man fans might want to close their eyes for this one -- he told them the studio had abandoned the film, giving the project back to Mattel. Wait, so does this mean we don't get to see a shirtless Paul Walker or Triple H battle a horrific looking CGI-created version of Skeletor? Would it be wrong for me to call up Mr. Ferrell and tell him his next drink is on me? However (and please note that a gigantic question mark should be wrapped around the following sentence), there's a chance Mattel may still be interested in a He-Man film, and that John Woo could still be involved in some capacity -- but they will have to find someone else stupid enough to help produce and distribute. Man, where's Dolph Lundgren -- I think I need to be hugged.

Welcome back to the never-ending saga of bringing He-Man and the Masters of the Universe back to the big screen. When we last left our intrepid hero, it looked like he was doomed to yet another slide back into Nowheresville after John Woo (the man presumed to be behind the most recent attempt to bring He-Man back) declared he had no interest in the project. Honestly, at this point I just shrugged my shoulders and forgot about it, because a He-Man movie, while sorta cool, is not really high on my priorities list. If it happened, I'd happily watch it ... but I don't care if it continues to not exist.

Nonetheless, the He-Man movie rumors have roared to life yet again in an outright refusal to die. The Gossip Monkey over at Moviehole: "John Woo paces out of Spy Hunter AND He-Man? Only kinda true. He was never going to direct He-Man, and he is been off Spy-Hunter for a while now." Apparently the game is still on, with script work being done by Adam Rifkin. It may not happen particularly soon, but as for now at least it is still moving forward.