The cast and crew of New York, I Love You keeps growing and growing. There's not even enough room on the headline to list all the names that were just added. New York is a collection of short stories, part of a "Cities of Love" anthology that was begun by Paris, je ta'ime. New York will reportedly be followed by Shanghai, and then cities in South America and Africa.

The stories are showcasing an incredible variety of actors and directors. Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson are both making their directing debut, there's a good representation of international talent, and Brett Ratner hasn't been driven away by pitchforks and torches. Variety reported that Orlando Bloom, Olivia Thirlby, Hayden Christensen, and Ethan Hawke had climbed aboard the film. No word on who's segments they will appear in yet -- but a far better choice for Bloom's career than Prince of Persia, wouldn't you say?

The great futurist now belongs to history; AP reports that Arthur C. Clarke was found dead in his home in Sri Lanka. Others can write about Clarke's contributions to technology ... for example his 1945 scientific paper "Extra-Terrestrial Relays" describing the possibilities of the communication satellite, which was as essential to modern living as electricity was to earlier generations. Let's talk about movies. 2001: A Space Odyssey is in some ways a collaboration between Clarke and Kubrick ... or as the author said, "the film should be credited to Kubrick and Clarke and the novel should be credited to Clarke and Kubrick."

This account from wikipedia notes the genesis of one of the ultimate science fiction films was a 1950 short story by Clarke, titled "The Sentinel." The classic spawned a 1984 sequel, 2010. Various short stories were adapted for television (unfortunately not enough of them from Tales From the White Hart, still waiting for its time on screen.) It's been announced that David Fincher will film Rendezvous With Rama, with Morgan Freeman in the lead; here's Jessica Barnes' item on it from 2007. The film concerns a close encounter of the third kind with an alien spacecraft. And John Hurt is definitely playing a Clarke figure in this Jodie Foster outer-space movie.

Clarke was born in England, and was a radar expert with the RAF during World War 2. Years of astronomical research gave way to a later-life interest in the ocean; hence his life in Sri Lanka, where he could scuba dive. He is remembered, among numerous accomplishments, for the fostering of Clarke's Three Laws: 1."When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong." 2."The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible." 3."Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."

So, in theory, the trailer for The Oxford Murders hit the web a few months ago; but unless you were fluent in Spanish, there was not a lot you were going to get out of it. Stale Popcorn has finally gotten their hands on the international trailer, and now we actually get a sense of what the hell is going on. The Oxford Murders is based on the novel of the same name by Argentinian author Guillermo Martínez. The book was published in 2003, and was a best-seller that went on to be published into over fifteen languages.

The Oxford Murders stars John Hurt and Elijah Wood as a professor and a graduate student who become involved in solving a series of gruesome murders at the legendary university. Through the course of their investigations, they discover that the murderer is committing his crimes on principles of mathematical theories. So of course, the only way to stop the murders is to figure out the 'equations' before the killer strikes again. I guess you could consider it kind of like The Da Vinci Code, but with way more trigonometry.

Álex de la Iglesia wrote and directed the adaptation. The film has already been slated for release in Spain (where it opened on January 18th), Argentina, France, and Italy. Unfortunately, The Oxford Murders has yet to find a U.S distributor or release date in North America. Until then, Elijah Wood fans will just have to get their fix elsewhere. So keep your fingers crossed that the Iggy Pop movie gets made, or hold out for the possibility of just a little more Frodo after all.

Matt from Premiere.com has landed a whopper of an interview, talking to John Hurt at length about his role in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Hurt is, of course, playing Abner Ravenwood, father of Marion, in the film and his part is thought to have been a small role that was cooked up after Sean Connery decided not to partake in the fourth film. Although Hurt is contractually prevented from saying anything specific about what will happen in the movie or who he's even playing -- he just smiles when asked the question directly -- he does have some hilariously unscripted things to say about the film in general. For one thing, he wasn't terribly impressed with it, or at least his part, it seems. He describes the role as "lightweight for me, at least for that sort of time commitment" but says "I enjoyed working with Steven hugely, and we had a great cast. I just wish we'd had something of fabulous interest between each other to act!"

Hurt also says that he simply refused to do the film unless they sent him the script in advance and they blinked, sending it to him with a courier who waited around to snatch it back after he was done reading. He also says that despite what Spielberg says, there is CGI work in the film -- "they had some massive blue screens" he notes -- and he also apparently didn't connect with George Lucas. "George is a bit socially crippled, really. Not good with people. So I just left him alone." Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull -- nope, still don't like that title -- is opening Memorial Day, 2008.

I was talking with a friend the other day about the shocking decline in the quality of Kevin Spacey's films. It seems as though that Oscar for American Beauty was some sort of horrific curse, sending him into a long run of ill-advised, disastrous movie projects. Look at the man's filmography pre and then post Beauty. It's distressing! But Variety is reporting on a flick that sounds like it might turn things around. HBO Films' Recount will tell the story of the Florida results in the 2000 election, one of the most controversial political events of recent years. As Monika recently told you, Sydney Pollack was supposed to direct but dropped out due to "an undisclosed illness." Jay Roach, a director primarily known for broad comedy (Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, Meet the Parents, and their lesser sequels), will now direct. Danny Strong wrote the screenplay. The film will document "the legal and political maneuvering from the point of view of both the Bush and Gore camps."

Spacey will star as Ron Klain, "former chief of staff to vice president Al Gore and one of the lead attorneys who challenged the voting results in Florida." In addition to Spacey, Recount has lined up one hell of a supporting cast: Laura Dern will play Katherine Harris, the Florida secretary of state who certified that George W. Bush had won the state. Denis Leary (what went wrong on this season of Rescue Me, DL?) plays Michael Whouley, a Democrat pollster. John Hurt plays Warren Christopher, a key player for Gore. Tom Wilkinson plays James Baker, brought in by the Republicans to see that the disputed results held up. And two Christopher Guest alums will duke it out in the courtroom. Ed Begley, Jr will play David Boies, the lawyer who appealed the results and argued for the Democrats. Bob Balaban plays Ben Ginsberg, head attorney for George W. Bush and Dick Cheney. See what I mean about that supporting cast? You won't have to demand a Recount -- look for the film on HBO during the 2008 presidential election.

The upcoming futuristic thriller Franklyn will offer something for the fellas (the gorgeous Eva Green) and something for the ladies (the man-gorgeous Ryan Phillippe). The film will be set simultaneously in both contemporary London and a faith-dominated future metropolis without separation of church and state. According to Variety, the film will tell the story of "four lost souls divided by two parallel worlds on course for an explosive collision when a single bullet will decide all their fates." It's Sliding Doors meets The Matrix! Sounds mighty confusing, but I'm intrigued. The film will co-star Sam Riley, who plays Joy Division lead singer Ian Curtis in Control (read James' positive review here).

First-time director Gerald McMorrow wrote the screenplay and will direct the film. According to IMDb, John Hurt is in the Franklyn cast as well, but since that's not part of the Variety announcement, take that with a grain of salt for now. The movie has undergone a lot of casting changes, it seems. Last we heard about the project, Ewan McGregor was attached to star, but it appears that is no longer the case. Paul Bettany was attached to the Riley role at one point. I don't know much about Riley, but I do know getting Phillippe for McGregor is something of a step down. Phillippe is improving, though, I must give him props for holding his own against an incredible Chris Cooper performance in the too little-seen Breach. Green is probably best known as Vesper Lynd in Casino Royale, but holds a special place in my pants heart for her almost entirely nude performance in The Dreamers. Dreamy.

Considering how easy it is to whip together a sequel or remake, and how tantalizingly delicious they seem to be to many filmmakers, you've got to give props to those who decide to make a sequel to an old movie without re-doing the first film. Last year, we spread word of Un-Dead, a sequel to Dracula, the Bela Lugosi classic. Written by Dracula scholar Ian Holt, it is a screenplay that, shockingly, the Bram Stoker kin approve of (they haven't given approval since the 1931 flick). The film picks up 25 years after the end of the first, collecting all the surviving characters together, along with Inspector Cotford, who was cut from the novel before its publication.

Now Blackfilm has a source that brings a lot of names to this intriguing sequel. Ernest Dickerson, one of the directors of the ever-juicy Demon Knight, has reportedly signed on to helm it, and there are a few big names currently negotiating for the film's roles -- Javier Bardem as Dracula, Monica Bellucci as Lucy and in some incredibly cool casting, John Hurt as Professor Van Helsing. They could cast Rob Schneider and Jessica Simpson next, and I'd still watch it to see Hurt in that role. Interestingly, there's no word on who will be playing Jonathan and Mina Harker, although they're said to be part of the film. Of course, the feature will take place in England and Transylvania, as Holt has scouted out both locales, including Dracula's crumbling castle. As this film gears up, is there anyone you want to see in the remaining roles, or casting changes you'd make?

Sometimes I wonder if these little tidbits and sneak peeks help or hinder a film's chances for success. With the nature of the Internet and lightening-fast communications, people often make snap judgments about a film and its relative merits, with only the minimalist of facts. It even happens to your humble Cinematical writers occasionally as well. So, to help facilitate your ability to make snap-judgments, the first pics from the upcoming Elijah Wood starrer The Oxford Murders have hit the web. Now, before you rabid Wood fans (you know who you are) click the link and rush over to the site, there's one caveat -- the site is in Spanish.

Don't get me wrong, I like Spanish. Its a great language. I just don't happen to read it well. If you don't either, all you'll be able to do is look at the pics and you will not get to enjoy any of the commentary on them provided at the site. However, the pics do pretty much speak for themselves and provide a few clues as to the nature of the film. As the film follows the story of students at a highly-regarded English school who investigate a murder, one would assume the pics would include students in various situations that follow that kind of story -- and you would assume correctly.

Among the pics are several featuring Wood looking concerned, discovering a clue and, of course, trying to escape the killer. There's also a pic of the requisite love-interest (played by Leonor Watling), the Sherlock Holmes-like professor who mentors Wood's character (played by John Hurt) and one or two behind-the-scenes photos where director Alex de la Iglesia works with Wood and his co-stars. So go, enjoy. And if any of you read Spanish, how about reporting back and telling us what the site says about the pics?

[via Dark Horizons]

It's not easy to escape the pitfalls of typecasting when you are part of one of the biggest movie trilogies in history -- if you don't believe me, just ask Mark Hamill. So, it is pretty impressive that Elijah Wood has managed to pick a pretty wide variety of roles post-Rings. From a sadist in Sin City to a talking penguin in Happy Feet, Wood is careful to choose only those parts that are a long way from his turn in the Shire.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Wood will next star in The Oxford Murders, the English language debut of Spanish helmer Alex de la Iglesia. The film is a departure from Iglesia's usual style of black comedy, but the director seemed confident in his choice of Wood in the lead when he cryptically stated: "I'm delighted to work with Elijah, who undoubtedly has the most powerful eyes in the industry and who is perfect for the part." As we previously told you, the film follows a young student (Wood) who attends the acclaimed English university, but becomes increasingly involved in an unsolved murder committed on campus. And, in a Da Vinci Code-style of whodunit, the murders appear to be linked by a mathematical code. Also starring is John Hurt as a Sherlock Holmes-style investigator who takes Wood's character under his wing. The Oxford Murders will begin shooting this January on location in England.

[via JoBlo.com]

Odds and ends from Tuesday:

• No, John Hurt didn't really commit a murder. The actor has signed on to play a leading role in Alex de la Iglesia's Oxford Murders, based on the award-winning novel by Guillermo Martinez. Iglesia and co-writer Jorge Guerricaechevarria (now, if that's not a long last name, I don't know what is) adapted the book which surrounds an Oxford University professor who finds himself wrapped up in a bunch of murders that appear to be linked by mathematical symbols.
• Though the third installment in the franchise is still in production, folks behind the Resident Evil films are wasting no time casting the fourth flick. According to reports, Jensen Ackles (Supernatural, Dark Angel, Smallville) is in talks to play Leon Kennedy in Resident Evil: Afterlife (the fourth pic's current working title). I've never played the games and have no clue who Kennedy is or whether Ackles would be a good choice (hey, I'm just being honest), so I'll need you fans to chime in on this one.
• In an interview with Moviehole, Will Ferrell answered questions about whether or not he would be down for an Elf 2 and an Old School 2. While a sequel to Elf is in the works, Ferrell admitted to rejecting the idea, saying "Elf 2 got killed. I killed Elf 2." (If you'd allow it, I'd like to pause here to give Ferrell a round of applause for that decision.) As far as Old School Dos goes, the ex-elf confirms it's being written and is anxiously awaiting a read-through.