According to the LA Times today, 20th Century Fox is already prepping a solo spin-off for the Silver Surfer. The Marvel character features in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, opening this weekend, and Fox is apparently hoping that pic performs well enough to give the Surfer his own movie, because the studio has hired comic book writer/screenwriter J. Michael Straczynski to pen the thing. Straczynski has written for a number of Marvel titles, including the new series Silver Surfer: Requiem, he created the sci-fi series Babylon 5 and he recently delivered scripts for The Changeling, to be directed by Clint Eastwood, and the zombie adaptation World War Z. The LA Times article claims the Silver Surfer movie would be darker in tone than the new Fantastic Four sequel, possibly in response to fan criticisms of the sequel's PG rating. I've never actually read the Silver Surfer comics, so I'm not sure how dark is appropriate for the character, but I'll always take a more grown-up comic adaptation than something geared toward young children.

More exciting for me is the news, also mentioned in the LA Times piece, that Thor may soon have a director. Unlike the Surfer comics, The Mighty Thor was a title I followed for years, and so far the closest thing I've had to seeing the hero/god on the big screen is his 'cameo' in Adventures in Babysitting (and I doubt he'll be in the remake). Supposedly Layer Cake director Matthew Vaughn is in negotiations to helm the comic adaptation, which was greenlit last summer and which has a script by Mark Protosevich (Poseidon). I'm not a huge fan of Vaughn's directorial style and I was happy when he dropped out of X-Men: The Last Stand (though now I think he'd have done better), but I'm willing to give him a chance with Thor. I think his style may actually be appropriate for the god of thunder. Besides, we've so far only seen one film from him; his next, Stardust, arrives in August.

[via JoBlo and Moviehole]

Disney has brought on Tiffany Paulsen (Nancy Drew) to pen the remake of the first PG-13 film I ever saw in the movie theater. Yes, that flick was 1987's Adventures in Babysitting, starring the lovely Elisabeth Shue and Vincent D'Onofrio, as Thor. Further Adventures in Babysitting (not sure why they would add the 'further' in there if it's a straight remake?) will star That's So Raven Symone and Miley Cyrus. I imagine a few other troublemakers will soon hop onboard, as well as an oblivious mom and dad.

In the original film (which, mind you, totally rocked!), a babysitter has her boyfriend (Todd? Tad? Brett? Chad?) cancel their hot date, and so she decides to take on a last minute gig babysitting for two kids and their obnoxious, perverted tag-along friend. Of course, what looked to be your average night at home actually turns out to be a whole adventure through the city. Heck, at one point they're actually climbing down the side of a building. And then Thor shows up. Thor! Paulsen is the scribe behind the upcoming Nancy Drew (due out June 15), and as well as Fox Searchlight's Fast Girls. Here's hoping they manage to retain at least half the fun that made up the original film; since that one came in the late 80s (back then, even the most wholesome family comedies came with a little bit of edge), I imagine Disney will play it safe and remove all the risque parts so that no one complains. Bummer. (Anyone want to start up a "Please Keep Thor" letter-writing campaign?)

Not long ago, I spoke about how Adventures in Babysitting was the first PG-13 film I watched in a movie theater. Of course, my friend's Mom had to come along, so any feelings of "cool" immediately vanished upon taking our seats. Well, it seems Disney is fond of the original as well, seeing as they've chucked Adventures in Babysitting onto the remake bandwagon and signed on Raven-Symone (That's So Raven) for the lead role.

Raven-Symone? Man, there's no way she's sexier than Elisabeth Shue. Obviously Disney is looking to go the cute, quirky and cuddly route with this one. The original film, which marked Chris Columbus' directorial debut, told the story of a regular old babysitter who gets whisked away for a night of action-packed adventure after setting out, with the kids, to simply pick up a friend stuck downtown.

Personally, I loved the first Adventures in Babysitting and the film definitely holds a piece of my heart. I am a little skeptical about this remake (I wonder if Thor will be in it again?), though part of me hopes it will kick ass. Currently, no director is attached and Lynda Obst, who produced the original, is on board the remake.

Though Hollywood begins its summer earlier and earlier each year, in general, Memorial Day weekend brings us the season's unofficial start and everything that goes along with it. Hell yeah, it's time to open up the pool, grease up the barbeque and talk big budget blockbusters baby!

Growing up, with no school to occupy my mind during those three months off, there was nothing to look more forward to than a classic summer moviegoing experience. Now, in order to have such an experience, certain elements were required to be in place. First off, there needed to be a certain amount of hype connected to the film (or films). Usually, a teaser trailer over the Christmas holiday was enough to get any kid pumped up. As its release nears, deciding where to see the film and who to go with was (and still is) a problematic situation. For the most satisfying overall moviegoing experience, I suggest attending its opening night with one, or two of your best mates. Keep in mind, you will need to get there real early, but the wait is worth it ... depending on the film, of course.

Seeing as I'm only 29-years-old, the following films were chosen because a) I was able to see them in the theater when they were first released and b) I specifically remember each one bringing me a classic and unforgettable summer moviegoing experience. Sure, they may not be the greatest films ever made, but I can connect each one to a different time in my life. So, what is the ultimate summer moviegoing experience? That's up to you. Here are mine ...